Weekly Notices | Sunday 28 March 2021
A reflection from David Price…
I found it unbearably moving on Mothering Sunday to hear the voices of our choristers played via our cathedral sound system for our gathered congregation, and then out through the ether again to those listening to the service online. The arduous, or perhaps more accurately put, the tedious process of recording lone voices at home as they juggle music, a device to listen to another singer or watch a conductor and another device to record into, and a set of headphones to mute the click track has become a feature of life for many choirs for nearly a year now. All this effort is of course to be celebrated, for it shows on-going levels of commitment and loyalty from our singers; and has turned many a choir trainer or church organist into a talented techie – and in our case, the talented and resourceful Sub Organist, Sachin.
We’ve been expecting an update on the bizarre ‘rule of 3’ imposed on churches just after Christmas for some weeks now, and thankfully this arrived late Friday afternoon.
Even so, as we enter a second Holy Week and Easter that will be very different from the celebrations, we had become used to in former times. It will be good to mark our 2021 Holy Week and Easter inside our cathedral, unlike 2020; but amongst all the many trials and sadness’s of the pandemic, we also recognise the sadness of being unable to sing together in fellowship. I miss being able to lead the congregation in singing hymns from the organ; although we’ve been able to have two weeks of in-person rehearsals with the choristers, they are not able to sing at all services as yet. And because we are quite rightly open for worship this Holy Week, we are unable to involve our fullest teams of singers to help lead and inspire worship and who will deeply miss their opportunity to serve and minister in this way. All being well, our Summer Term will be a bit more ‘normal’.
However, we have learnt to be as adaptable as possible in our circumstances, and we look forward to marking this ‘Great Week’ as best as we may and to welcoming our visiting preacher Dr Stephen Hance who is with us throughout. Do join us in-person or online.
Give the Gift of the Good News of Easter – Donate an Easter Egg to our local foodbank.
If you are missing out buying an egg this year for family and friends due to household restrictions, why not instead buy an egg for a local family in need? Donate one of our Real Easter Eggs to the Portsmouth Foodbank and share the joy of Easter.
Order online by Saturday 27 March and in the checkout notes box, please state whether you would like one or all of the eggs in your order to go to our local foodbank. All the eggs will then be dropped off at the foodbank before Easter.
Community News
Donations for Easter Flowers
Donations are invited for Easter flowers in memory of loved ones. We do not know if lilies will be available this year, but we hope to have joyful fresh flowers throughout the Easter season to celebrate the Resurrection, making the Cathedral look beautiful.
The names will be recorded of those in whose memory donations are given, donations of around £10 are suggested - or please say if you would be willing to fund a whole fortnight's worth of flowers.
Please send an email toaccounts@portsmouthcathedral.org.ukto donate or call us.
Achievements from the music department
We’re pleased to share that Organ Scholar Adam Field has passed the prestigious examination style Associate of The Royal College of Organists. Many congratulations to Adam who is now halfway through his year with us here at Portsmouth Cathedral.
Meanwhile, Cathedral Organist and Master of Choristers Dr. David Price has been conferred with an Honorary Fellowship of The Royal School of Church Music. David has served on the RSCM council for an unmatchable 20 years, during which he has given outstanding support and dedication to the organisation. This Honorary Fellowship is a huge mark of respect for all he has contributed and very richly deserved.
Find out more about ourmusic department on our website.
Lent Groups and Thursday Bible Study
Social Tuesdays, Art Wednesdays, and our Thursday Lent group have now finished for the Lent season - thank you to all who took part and for the many special guests who joined us over the weeks.
Our Thursday Bible Group will be taking a break until Thursday, 22nd April. You can still catch up with all our online video content from ourYouTube channel.
Shop online and enjoy home delivery from 12 April
We are delighted to announce that from 12 April, you will be able to have orders from the Cathedral Shop delivered to your door (UK addresses only).You’ll still be able to take full advantage of our convenient click and collect service.
In line with Government guidance, you’ll be able to shop with us in-store as the Cathedral Shop is due to physically re-open again on 17 May.
Last chance to buy gifts and eggs in time for Easter!
Order your Easter gifts and eggs by Saturday 27 March, to collect in time for Easter. Orders placed by Saturday will be available for collection from the Cathedral on Wednesday 31 March. Please be aware there will be no collection available on Easter Day.
All Things Bright and Virtual, Get Involved in the Self-Isolation Choir.
The Royal School of Church Music is joining with other organisations around the country to encourage people everywhere to sing hymns at home in this exciting project led by the Self-Isolation Choir. You’re invited to join in singing a selection of some of the most joyous pieces of church music, although usually sung in a church setting, on this course we shall sing these wonderful hymns together wherever we are, with a smile on our faces and a spring in our step.
Learn more about the project with leader Ralph Allwood explaining more hereor to sign up visit their website here.
Cathedral Safeguarding Meeting
The Cathedral’s Safeguarding Group met on 16 March to discuss regular updates in addition to preparations for the SCIE Audit in June. The Cathedral’s Safeguarding Policy and contact details can befound on our website.
A vote of confidence in our coronavirus safety measures
This week we were visited by Portsmouth City Council’s coronavirus wardens as part of their routine walks around the city. Head Verger, Malina Green, talked them through our coronavirus safety measures and they were very happy with the precautions we have in place.
Our continued thanks to all our volunteers who make it possible to open the Cathedral safely at this difficult time, and to everyone who helps protect each other by socially distancing, wearing masks and using hand sanitiser when visiting.
Worship and Visiting the Cathedral
Portsmouth Cathedral continues to be open daily for private prayer, daily Holy Communion and Sunday Services. Sadly, government guidelines do not allow for sightseeing and our shop is also closed for now, except for click-and-collect from the online shop.
We continue to take every precaution to reduce the spread of coronavirus, including the mandatory wearing of face masks, except for those with exemptions (please note face visors should only be worn with a face mask). Find out more on our Covid-19 information page.
We broadcast three services a day on our live page and Facebook. Find out more on our website and download orders of services.
Prayers and Intercessions
We pray for all those affected by Covid-19.
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Bob, Derek, Trevor, Izzy, Clare, Sarah, Jenny, Michael, Laurence, Rita, Dave, Mercedes, Peter, Amanda, Joan, Reuben, Kathy, Alison, Emilia, David, Linda, Mervyn, Beverley, Oliver and all those in need.
Long-term sick including: Graeme, Clifford, Christopher, Johnny, Jane, Andrew, Melissa, Christopher, Bishop Peter, Tara, Jenny, Arthur and Suzy.
We pray for those who have died recently: Dennis Ede, David Stuart, Monty Seal, Barry Paul, Joan Kinlough, Jane Hunter and Binnie Fisher RIP.
To add someone to the prayer list, please email info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
Upcoming Services and Events
Sunday Refreshments via Zoom – 28 March, 6:30pm
Join us for our weekly Sunday Refreshments hosted on Zoom. It is a great opportunity to catch up with other members of the congregation and members of our ministry team.
For security purposes, the Zoom link for this event is sent in our weekly email Notices.
Holy Week & Easter
This weekend we invite you to join us for our Palm Sunday, celebrating Jesus’s arrival to Jerusalem it has been observed since the early centuries of Christianity. As we head towards Easter, we’re pleased to be able to open up more of our services to those wishing to worship with us in the Cathedral itself.
Booking now available for Holy Week and Easter
You can now book for all our Holy Week and Easter Day services on our website. Spaces can be booked for a maximum of three people from one household group.
A selection of spaces will be available on the door for those who are unable to book in advance online, but we do recommend youbook in advanceif possible, to avoid disappointment.
Visit our website for the latest information on services and events. Please note that in these uncertain times, planned events and services may need to change.
Palm Sunday Services
Palm Sunday Holy Communion8:00 am – 9:00 am
Palm Sunday Eucharist11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Palm Sunday Evensong5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Holy Week Services
Holy Week Address and ComplineMonday–Wednesday, 8:00 pm
Maundy Thursday Chrism Eucharist* Thursday,11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Maundy Thursday Eucharist of the Last SupperThursday, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Maundy Thursday Watch of PrayerThursday, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Good Friday Children's ServiceFriday, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Good Friday 'The Three Hours'Friday, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
*Please note this service is invite only
Foodbank Collection Point
The Cathedral is home to a foodbank collection point for the Roberts Centre. Donations of food and toiletries are particularly needed at the moment and greatly appreciated by those using the service.
See what items most in need are on our website.
Recommend our notices to a friend…
Do you know someone who may benefit from receiving our notices? Why not recommend them our newsletter by sending them to portsmouthcathedral.org.uk/newsletter where they can sign up online.
If you know someone without internet access, we also provide a printed mailing. Please contact our pastoral team using the contact details below to sign up.
Getting in touch
We know that this is a lonely and anxious time for many people. Please feel free to get in touch if we can help in any way, or if you just want to hear another voice!
Dean Anthony: 023 9282 4400 or Anthony.Cane@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
Canon Jo Spreadbury: 023 9275 2335 or Jo.Spreadbury@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
Canon Kathryn Percival: 023 9289 2967 or Kathryn.Percival@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
Cathedral Curate, Revd Catherine Edenborough: 023 9282 3300 extn 221 or Catherine.Edenborough@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk (Usual days at the Cathedral: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)
Messages can also be left on the Cathedral phone system 023 9282 3300 or by email to info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk or pastoral@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk.