A reflection from Dean Anthony

On Saturday 30 November 1991, the very last day of the Church Year, Bishop Timothy Bavin consecrated our ‘completed’ cathedral: completed in the sense that longstanding plans to extend the nave and west end had finally come to fruition.   Thirty years on, we are delighted to welcome back a former Portsmouth residentiary canon, Bishop Graeme Knowles, as our preacher on Advent Sunday, the first day of a new Church Year.  

I have no idea if the new west doors were opened and used, all those years ago, but it would have been fitting if they were.  Walking through a door can symbolise a fresh beginning, as for me when I came through the west doors at my installation as Dean, and as Bishop Jonathan will do when the day comes for welcoming him as the tenth bishop of Portsmouth.   For some, however, coming through the door of a cathedral is an intimidating thing to do, and one of our key aims is to invite and encourage newcomers to ‘cross the threshold’ and experience something of our welcome, worship and witness.    

Professor Martyn Percy describes some churches as having a high threshold for entry (having, say, to agree to a particular creed or confession before you can come in), and others as having a low threshold (welcoming all comers, without conditions).   Once you have entered, he goes on to say, there is a further distinction to be made: was the experience ‘high’ or ‘low’?  Cathedrals, he says, are unusual in being ‘low threshold but high reward’.   That is certainly what we aspire to here in Portsmouth, via the quality of our inclusive welcome, and the inspiration offered through our worship and music.     

As the season of Advent begins, many will be opening the doors of an Advent calendar.   I pray that for them and for all of us, this new Church Year will begin with a renewed sense of thanksgiving, and a renewed sense of how much we need God to come to our aid.   As refugees die in the Channel, and a new Covid variant is announced, Advent tells us that God has not given up on us, and will answer our yearning for healing and hope in the human face of his Son Jesus Christ. 

With my prayers and best wishes, 

Portsmouth Cathedral at the heart of Christmas this festive season 

In 2020, many experienced a Christmas where so many of the ways we traditionally mark the season were denied them. This year, Portsmouth Cathedral welcomes all to celebrate this extraordinary time of the year in a variety of ways, ranging from heart-warming events to traditional carol services.

All are invited to all to discover or rediscover the good news the Christmas season celebrates, and Portsmouth Cathedral will be at the heart of Christmas this festive season. The Cathedral’s choirs will once again be uplifting spirits with joyful music throughout the Christmas period, with services continuing to be safe and comfortable for all to join. Selected services including carols, crib services and Midnight Mass will also be available to stream online, letting you join in the celebration and worship easily from home.

Today and tomorrow: The Christmas Gift Market with Love Southsea 

New for 2021, we are working in partnership with Love Southsea Markets to bring a magical two-day Christmas shopping event to Portsmouth Cathedral. We’ll be welcoming a variety of local makers and artisans with home ware, gifts, jewellery and more.

On Friday evening enjoy a special festive service with the Portsmouth Cathedral Choir, accompanying a wonderful night of shopping and socialising with friends and family. On Saturday from 12.00pm to 2.00 pm, we are hugely honoured to have the full UVG choir along with Portsmouth superstar Amba Tremain. Don’t miss this singing performance.. Adding to this Christmas extravaganza we are pleased to announce that the cast of Curtain Call Productions, starring in this year’s panto at Portsmouth Guildhall will also be popping by for a meet-and-greet.

Come on down for two days of great shopping, beautiful music, and tasty street food in one of Portsmouth’s most iconic landmark buildings.

Find out more here

Next week: Portsmouth Cathedral Christmas Fair, 4 December 

We’re just one week away until the Portsmouth Cathedral Christmas Fair; make sure you have the date and time in your diary – Saturday 4 December from 11:00am-1:30pm – for what promises to be a great return to this annual tradition.

Wonderful raffle prizes to be won: fancy winning dinner for two at a top Portsmouth restaurant? This and many other fantastic prizes are available in our Christmas Raffle, with all proceeds supporting our ministry. Tickets are on sale in the shop for you to buy or take to sell (don't forget to return completed stubs for the draw). The draw will take place during the Christmas Fair on 4 December.

Help spread the word: Christmas Fair fliers are available from the shop so please take some and distribute to family and friends.

Donations are still very much welcome: please deliver them to the Cathedral from 9:00am to 5:45pm on Friday, 3 December:

• Bottles - need not be alcohol for the Tombola

• Jewellery, scarves, bags, and accessories

• Books and jigsaws

• China and Glass

• Chocolate for the Tombola

• Christmas decorations and plants

• Preserves

• Toiletries

• Toys and Children's clothes.

• Homemade cakes for the cake stall (frozen or baked fresh on the day)

• Please, no bric-a-brac donations this year – thank you.

What’s happening on the day of the Fair? There will, of course, be all the usual stalls filled and overflowing with goods. Santa will also be there in his Grotto: entry is only £1 per child.

Feeling peckish? Then join us for a ploughman's lunch or soup and sandwiches in Becket Hall; you’ll also find traditional mulled wine available in the Cathedral.

Our new Events Manager: Jemima Crayden 

The Cathedral has appointed Jemima Crayden to the post of Events Manager. She will begin working with us on the day of the Christmas Fair, 4 December. Jemima comes to us with five years’ experience in events management in the theatre and museum sector. The Dean said, “I am delighted that Jemima is joining our team. As we emerge from the restrictions of the pandemic the opportunity to engage and involve more people in the life of the Cathedral through events is tremendous. I look forward to her bringing the latest ideas to this aspect of our activities. We are fortunate to have such a skilled events professional as Jemima join us at this time.”

Jemima also shared her enthusiasm, stating “I am incredibly excited to be joining Portsmouth Cathedral in the role of Events Manager. Portsmouth is an amazing hub of culture, discovery, and community, all of which can be explored in the Cathedral and the event possibilities for this historic building. I am looking forward to working with all those who are part of the Cathedral to run events that tie in with the Cathedral’s vision of engagement, learning, community, and heritage.

I have worked in events within a Theatre & Museum environment for over five years, starting in box office and front of house roles to then joining the Hires & Programming team. I have worked with teams to create events from standing gigs of 1050 audience members to comic cons with Daleks and Deloreans. My work has focused on ensuring that all venues are welcoming and accessible spaces for all those who attend events, as well as offering fantastic venues for groups to run their own events.

Outside of work, my hobbies have always included music, performance, and community engagement. I enjoy throwing myself into community life especially through volunteering, starting from my days as a Brownie Leader, to my ongoing voluntary role at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The community has always been at the heart of what I do, and I am looking forward to building a diverse and exciting programme of events that everyone can enjoy!”

Chapter met on Wednesday 17 November for its last meeting of 2021. 

Amongst a full agenda Chapter reviewed governance arrangements, endorsed the recent statement by the Diocese relating to Ghana, agreed the 2022 fees for services and use of the Cathedral and Cathedral House, discussed the recent visit from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Rescue service and the steps now being taken as a result of their helpful findings, reviewed progress on our review of Equality and Diversity and discussed preliminary ideas for the 2027 centenary.

The budgeted management account deficit for 2021 of £108,312 will come in under the budget among barring any unforeseen events in the last 6 weeks of the year.

Portsmouth Cathedral publishes SCIE Audit Report and Action Plan 

Earlier this year as part of the Church of England’s commitment to good safeguarding practice, an independent safeguarding audit of the Cathedral policies and practices was carried by the Social Care Institute for Excellence.

The audit was a collaborative process, and our discussions with the auditors have helped us to understand both what we were doing well, and areas for improvement.

The Reverend Canon Kathryn Percival, Chapter’s Safeguarding Lead says, “Over the autumn we have used the findings of our SCIE report to help us to plan for the future. I am delighted that today we are publishing both the report and the steps we will take to implement the findings. At the heart of our mission is the commitment to ensure that Portsmouth Cathedral is a welcoming and safe place for all. This report and the steps we are taking will help us to strengthen and renew our practice, mindful that everyone is made in God’s image, and that we are called to cherish and safeguard his people.

The Very Reverend Dr Anthony Cane, Dean of Portsmouth adds, “We are extremely grateful for the wise and considered insights offered by the SCIE Auditors. The report really has helped us review and refocus our efforts in terms of safeguarding, as the action plan shows. I am also thankful for the work of Canon Kathryn and Marian Pottinger (the Lay Safeguarding representative) along with all the staff, volunteers and ministry team who every single day help to provide a safe environment for individuals and groups to come and meet and worship in Portsmouth Cathedral.”

Further details on safeguarding at the Cathedral can be found on our website. You can also find our safeguarding audit, and action plan.

Shop closing early 

The Cathedral Shop will be closed for a Christmas break from 3pm on Friday 24 December 2021 and will reopen from 10am on Wednesday 5 January 2022. No online orders for collection or shipping will be processed during this time.

Worship and Visiting

Portsmouth Cathedral is open daily for prayer, services and visiting. Booking is no longer required for services, unless otherwise indicated. You can find out more on our website , where you can also download orders of service.

We continue to take every precaution to reduce the spread of coronavirus, including encouraging the wearing of face-coverings, checking in with the NHS Covid-19 app and remaining at a safe distance from other groups. Further information can be found on our Covid-19 information page. 

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: Derek, Clare, Mervyn, Beverley, Richard, Aaron, Jane, Alan, Libby, Lesley, Hilary, David, Stan, Andrew, Jean, Amanda, John, Wendy, and all those in need. 

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

We pray for those who have died recently: Jeffery Bell, Tony Allen, and Angela Carpenter 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.