Weekly Notices | Sunday, 27 June 2021
Doing what brings me life… a reflection from Revd. Catherine
It is amazing to think that on Saturday I will be ordained priest. I can hardly believe that I will have been at the Cathedral a year already. I have really enjoyed getting to know as many of you as I could given the strange Covid circumstances, and I am looking forward to the three years of my curacy to come. Thank you for all your support and encouragement along the way.
The ordination will be a very special moment for me and a beautiful service. The one thing that concerns me is that I don’t want people to think that because I am up the front being ordained that this is somehow an extra-special calling, or that we are in some way worthier or nobler than others, because that’s certainly not the case. We all have God-given gifts and callings to different things and this is just one of those.
I remember struggling with the whole idea of having a calling. On a retreat once, my guide asked me to reflect on my calling and I came back the next day with a blank sheet of paper. It all seemed too difficult, rather earnest and serious. She said ‘Don’t worry about that. Forget about calling. Think about what really brings you alive. What is your deepest desire?’ All of a sudden, it was much easier. The idea of a calling felt like it was ‘out there’ somewhere and I had to go and find it, whereas with a deepest desire inside me, that’s something I can feel and get in touch with. I knew it was about sharing with others the love of God that I had experienced. And something about helping people reach their potential and become all that they are. At the time there was no direct sense of ordination or coaching, but it was definitely the starting point of this journey. Things became clearer along the way and it has brought me to the point I reach this week.
I think we can often dismiss what we feel inside and think God couldn’t possibly want me to do THAT! But actually those desires, the things that give us life and energy, are usually part of our calling. So consider what brings you life. I invite us all to get in touch with that and to work out what God is saying to us about it, so that we all experience more of the adventure that we are on with God and live out the calling we have within us.
I look forward to seeing you on Saturday!
The Reverend Catherine Edenborough,
Cathedral Curate
Community News
SCIE Safeguarding Audit Outcome
Over two and a half days this past week, two auditors from the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) conducted an independent audit of our safeguarding policies and procedures. This audit is part of the Church of England’s commitment to good safeguarding practice, with each diocese and cathedral being assessed.
While we await their final report in September 2021, the immediate informal feedback was positive with helpful insights to where we can strengthen our current policies and practice. Once the final report is received its findings will be shared with the congregation.
We would like to thank everyone who took part in the audit including those who responded to the questionnaire.
Ordinations and Licensing of Readers
This Saturday (26 June) and next Saturday (3 July) we will be hosting three services, at which our Commissary Bishop, Bishop Rob, will ordain new deacons and priests, and will license new Readers. These services are invitation-only with a small number of spaces to book available on our website. You can also stream these services via the diocesan Youtube channel and cathedral Youtube channel.
Details of those being ordained and licensed, and further details about can be found on the Diocese of Portsmouth website:
You can pray for those being ordained by downloading and using the Ember List which also gives details of those in our diocese who training, or are due to begin training, for ordination.
Book online for these services
Cathedrals Cycle Route Update
Sunday (20 June) saw Portsmouth's turn to take part in the recently launched Cathedrals Cycle Route Challenge. Cycling 30 miles to Winchester Cathedral, the group of 14 cyclists set off early, ably led by members of the local Cycling Tourists’ Club. Joined by Dean Anthony, cyclists taking the journey enjoyed scenic routes of the South Downs, culminating in a reception at Winchester, just in time for lunch!
Portsmouth Cathedral’s team consisted of congregation members from Portsmouth and other UK cathedrals, giving a fantastic opportunity to come together and make new connections after so many months' distancing. Portsmouth Cathedral’s ‘cycling champion’, Hannah Gunga said “The sense of community spirit and support within the group kept us all smiling to the end and we were extremely proud of our achievement. We hope this to be the first of many community cycling and walking trips to come.”
The Cathedrals Cycle Route is a unique partnership between the Association of English Cathedrals, the British Pilgrimage Trust, Cycling UK and Sustrans. It measures 2,000 miles in total, with individual legs between cathedrals varying in length to suit all abilities. It is the invention of academic, entrepreneur and keen cyclist Shaun Cutler, from Northumbria University, and is designed to help us all out of lockdown with opportunities for short cycle rides between cathedrals, new partnerships and fundraising for activities to support physical and mental wellbeing.
Find out more about visiting the Cathedral
The Fabric Advisory Committee meets on 29th June
Please find the agenda for this meeting here.
Alice Hume interactive weaves
In the autumn, we will be hosting an exhibition of community weaves. These are being made over the coming months in collaboration with the artists of the Hotwalls Studios, who are sharing their skills to help people of all abilities to participate. This Arts Council funded project, led by textile artist Alice Hume, involves the use of recycled, upcycled, and ethical materials to explore the topics of plastic consumption, textile waste, and well-being.
All are welcome to join, find out more and to book a free place visit theinteractive weaveswebsite.
Records And Information Governance Vacancy
Thanks to funding from the Cathedral Sustainability Fund (CSF), the Cathedral is recruiting for one-year Records and Information Governance Consultant. We are looking for a records management professional who will join a busy and eager team on a fixed term basis.
Visit our careers page to find out more; the deadline for applications is this Sunday, 27 June 2021.
Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral
The 2021 Yearbook was posted to members of the Friends this week. The mailing also includes details of the AGM which, due to continuing Covid-19 restrictions, will now be held via Zoom at 4:00pm on Sunday 4th July rather than at the Cathedral as planned.
Members wishing to receive a digital link for the meeting or to send apologies should contactfriends@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
Worship and Visiting
Portsmouth Cathedral is now fully open for prayer, services and visiting. Please continue to book for our Sunday Services online (limited spaces are available for those without a pre-booked space), regular weekday services do not need pre-booking. Most of our services are broadcast on our live page and Facebook. Find out more on our website and download orders of service.
We continue to take every precaution to reduce the spread of coronavirus, including the mandatory wearing of face masks, except for those with exemptions. Everyone visiting the Cathedral now needs to check in with the NHS Covid-19 app. Find out more on our Covid-19 information page.
We continue to monitor Government announcements regarding Covid-19. We await any such guidance in advance of the next announced date for easing of restrictions on 19 July 2021. Please check these Notices and the website for updates.
Prayers and Intercessions
All those affected by COVID-19
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Trevor, Derek, Clare, Izzy, Michael, Stuart, Reuben, Linda, Mervyn, Beverley, Richard, Aaron, Muriel, Jane, Phil, Alan, Libby, and all those in need.
Long-term sick including: Alison, Graeme, Christopher, Clifford, Jane, Johnny, Melissa, Andrew, Jenny, Suzy, Sarah, Bob, Michael, Rita, and Shirley.
We pray for those who have died recently: Norman Riches, Christopher Smithson, John Brunning, Jordan Nathan, Paul Mackenzie, and Paul Robert RIP.
Upcoming Services and Events
Ordination of Deacons 2021 – 26 June, 11:00am
Seven new deacons will be ordained at this special service in our cathedral. The seven candidates have been through their theological training and a pre-ordination retreat, and are now ready to be ordained and to use the title ‘the Reverend’. They will serve as curates in parishes throughout our diocese.
Join the waitlist online
Ordination of Priests 2021 – 26 June, 4:00pm
Three new priests, including our Cathedral Curate, Catherine Edenborough, will be ordained at this special service in our cathedral. The candidates have all previously been ordained as a deacon and spent at least one year serving a parish in that capacity. They are now ready to be ordained as priests, which means they’ll be able to celebrate Communion. They will continue to serve as curates in parishes throughout our diocese.
Book tickets online
Choral Evensong Sunday 27 June, 5:30pm
We welcome as our preacher this evening The Venerable Martyn Gough QHC, Chaplain of the Fleet and Archdeacon of the Royal Navy and Honorary Chaplain of the Cathedral for the final time before his retirement.
Choral Evensong with Installations – Sunday 4 July, 5:30pm
Join us on Sunday 4 July at 5.30pm during Choral Evensong when we will be installing our new Churchwarden, Ronald Rabbetts, of Mary Makin, Chair of Finance and Investment Committee as a Lay Member of Chapter, and of Richard Abraham, our Chief Operating Officer, as Chapter Clerk will take place.
Booking will be available shortly.
Lunchtime Live – Thursday 8 July, 1:10pm
Join us next Thursday, where as their gap year at Portsmouth Cathedral draws to a close, this year’s intake of scholars treat us to a programme of solo songs and close-harmony. This recital will be in St Thomas’s Chapel.
Entry is free; donations are welcome. Please note that no refreshments will be served at Lunchtime Live this term. Find more information or catch up online via the Lunchtime Live page.
Bible Discussion Group – Thursdays, 7:00pm
This week the group will look at looking at 1 Samuel 18-20. New members are always welcome; you do not need to have attended the group before.
Join us on Zoom
For security purposes Zoom links are sent out in our weekly email notices, sign up on our website here.
Portsmouth Cathedral Institute | Life after Covid: Radical transformation or business as usual? – Postponed to Saturday, 11 September
On Saturday, 10 July we planned to discuss how we can create a fairer future from our Covid experiences in the first of our Portsmouth Cathedral Institute events. Sadly given the extension of Covid restrictions until 19 July, we have decided to postpone until Saturday 11 September.
We hope you will be able to join us for this event on the new date, all existing ticket holders will be contacted shortly – with the option to carry over their booking to the new dates. We look forward to welcoming people from across our city in September, to join us in lively discussion and debate at the Cathedral.
This free event is open to all - book a ticket online or find out more.