A reflection from David Price

This coming week we mark the beginning of Lent with our traditional Ash Wednesday services, and we begin to ponder the mysteries that lead us to The Cross and The Resurrection in Holy Week and Easter. And just as our own times are a conflicting mix of joy and liberation but tinged with anxiousness for some at relaxing of Covid rules, we are also challenged by unfolding uncertainty of events in Eastern Europe, so is the nature of the church’s observance of Lent and Easter which, if fully entered can be a roller coaster of conflicting emotions and sensations.

This Shrove Tuesday will see pancakes available in the Nave from 1.30pm (see below), kindly provided by our Choir Parents and ensuring that our choristers are sufficiently energised to sing one more burst of joyful Alleluias at Evensong before Lent (and for St David). On Ash Wednesday we shall we holding services at 8:30am, 12pm and 5:45pm.

The coming weeks will be full and varied with our offerings as a worship space and community venue from a regular sequence of scripture, prayer and music in our Friday ‘Stations of the Cross’; Saturday concerts (Solent Symphony Orchestra, Aled Jones Cathedrals Tour and Handel’s Messiah) and a return of Art Tuesdays as well as the Installation of Bishop Jonathan as the Tenth Bishop of Portsmouth – a key moment in our common life. And of course, our daily round of worship continues amidst all this when we offer up prayer and praise, and most especially our concerns for peace at this time. Please do join us for all or any of these offerings at your cathedral.

From the Collect for Ash Wednesday.

Holy God, our lives are laid open before you; rescue us from the chaos of sin and through the death of your Son bring us healing and make us whole in Jesus Christ Our Lord.

David Price,
Organist & Master of the Choristers

Community News

Portsmouth Cathedral – an Inclusive Cathedral

As members of the Inclusive Church network, we at Portsmouth Cathedral have been deeply concerned to read a widely-published letter from Christian ministers urging the Government to drop its current proposals for banning conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ people.

Members of our Cathedral clergy have joined thousands of other Christian leaders in signing this letter to the Rt Hon Liz Truss MP - supporting the ban.

The letter contains the following statement:
We believe that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer peoples are made fully and beautifully in the image of God.

If you would like to discuss the letters with a member of the clergy, or need to speak to one of us in confidence at any time, please don’t hesitate to do so.

Canon Kathryn

Praying for the people of Ukraine

As the invasion of Ukraine shocks the world, we are invited by our Archbishops to keep this Sunday as a special day of prayer for Ukraine, for Russia, and for peace, and to support a global day of prayer and fasting for peace on Ash Wednesday.

God of strength and peace,

send your blessing on the people of Ukraine.

Sustain them in their struggles,

hold them in their fear,

protect them from all danger

and be for them the hope they desire;

for Jesus Christ’s sake.

Amen.

We’re looking for Volunteer Event Assistants

Over the coming months Portsmouth Cathedral will be hosting more events as we head towards Easter and beyond. We are therefore looking for new and existing volunteers to join us to support these upcoming events. This could involve taking tickets, helping prepare the space, serving refreshments and much more.

Whether you already volunteer with us in another capacity, or would like to join our team – please email events@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk to express your interest and find out more information.

A new opportunity to ‘Meet the Dean’

As the impact of the pandemic gradually recedes, Dean Anthony is offering a new quarterly opportunity for any members of the Cathedral community to meet with him over a cup of tea or coffee. The first of these will take place on Sunday 20 March in Becket Hall from 10.10am to 10.40am (after Pompey Sundays) and in the Bishop Kenneth Room at 12.15pm (after the Sung Eucharist). Our Vision and Strategy speaks of embedding ‘learning and feedback in all that we do’, and this is a chance to offer comments, questions and ideas relating to any aspect of Cathedral life.

The 2022 dates include two Sundays and two weekdays. The other dates are: Thursday 16 June at 10.30am, Sunday 25 September (times as above) and Tuesday 22 November at 10.30am. Each of these will be publicised nearer the time.

Peer Review

This week Chapter, Cathedral Staff and volunteers met with members of the Peer Review panel, run by the Association of English Cathedrals (AEC). All Cathedrals are taking part in the process, which is a chance to share ideas and ways of working, with the aim of supporting all Cathedrals as they work towards becoming registered charities over the coming years. We will share updates and feedback from the review in the near future.

Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral

The Friends’ Spring Newsletter, including details of Friends events and visits in 2022, has been sent to Friends by email or post. The next Friends Quarterly Evensong takes place on 17 March at 5:45pm and is followed by a tour of the Heath Harrison Aisle. If you would like more information on the Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral - please contact friends@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk.

Fairtrade Fortnight and Breakfast

It’s Fairtrade Fortnight, and we’re raising awareness of the amazing changes Fairtrade organisations make in the world. This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight theme is 'Choose the World You Want' with a focus on what we can do to tackle climate change and make choices that support Fairtrade organisations in their aim to work together towards eco-friendly Fairtrade standards.

This Sunday (27 February) we will be hosting a Fairtrade Breakfast. Come and join us in the Cathedral Nave at the times below to sample some Fairtrade breakfast goodies. There will also be some wonderful Fairtrade products on offer in our Shop. Any donations from the breakfast will go to the Fairtrade Foundation.

Breakfast Times

• 8:40am to 9:30am

• 10:15am to 11am

• 12pm to 1pm

More information about Fairtrade Fortnight and causes can be found on the Fairtrade website.

Palm Sunday Crosses

Please place last year’s crosses in the basket in the Welcome Area by Monday 28 February so that they can be burnt for use on Ash Wednesday.

Shrove Tuesday – Pancakes in the Nave

Before Lent begins, join the Portsmouth Cathedral Choirs Association for pancakes in the Nave from 1:30pm on Tuesday 2 March. Pancakes and tea or coffee will cost just £3.50 and come with a choice of delicious sweet or savoury fillings including strawberries & cream, nutella & banana, lemon & sugar and brie, rocket & red onion chutney.

Come and catch up with friends over a tasty pancake, all while raising funds for the Portsmouth Cathedral Choirs Association for our choir tours and other events.

Worship and Visiting

Portsmouth Cathedral is open daily for prayer, services and visiting. Booking is not required for services, unless otherwise indicated. You can find out more about visiting on our website, where you can also download orders of service or find our Covid-19 visitor information.

Prayers and Intercessions

We pray for Bishop Jonathan as he prepares for his installation.

We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Beverley, Richard, Jane, Alan, Stan, Amanda, Wendy, Derek, Denise, Debbie, Jane, Patricia, Margaret, and all those in need.

Long-term sick including: Alison, Christopher, Clifford, Jane, Johnny, Melissa, Jenny, Suzy, Sarah, Bob, Michael, Rita, Izzy, Graeme, Clare, Libby, Hilary, and Andrew.

We pray for those who have died recently: Hildegard Lowe (Cathedral Memorial Service 2:00pm Monday, 28 February), Keith Burnham, Jean Frost, Mervyn Banting, Danny McCauley, Jean Palmer, William Deery and Margaret Aylen RIP.

Upcoming Services & Events

Getting in touch

Please feel free to get in touch if we can help in any way, or if you just want to hear another voice!

Get in touch with us by email to pastoral@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk or leave a message via phone on 023 9282 3300.