A reflection from Canon Anthony

A new school year is always about new beginnings. Most of us remember well that experience of going back to school with a new uniform and new shoes, ready to begin in a new class with a new teacher. A new timetable had to be adjusted to, and new friendships formed around the new year group structures.

Although the liturgical year officially begins at Advent, there is a sense in which much of our church life begins again in September: schools and choirs return, and there is a sense of being in a ‘run up to Christmas’. September marks a moment of transition and change as life returns to a new normal.

This is especially true this year. Schools, churches and businesses are trying to adjust to what a new normal might look like after the pandemic. I think that all of us are finding this both an exciting, but also a very stressful, moment of change. It is good to be returning back to singing in church, and to services that are more like the form we are used to, but it is so hard to plan when we are nervous about what the next months will bring.

The Cathedral itself is returning to something like a pre-pandemic order for worship from 6th September, but with what we hope will be a few adjustments to timings to make the worship pattern more accessible. Weekday Morning Prayer will return to the Cathedral on a daily basis at 8am, and the Eucharist will follow at 8.30am. Morning Prayer will be live-streamed via Facebook. There will be a midday Eucharist on Wednesdays only, with prayers for healing and wholeness on the first Wednesday in the Month. Evensong and Evening Prayer, when there is no choral service, will both be in the Cathedral, but at the adjusted time of 5.45pm

We will be trialling this pattern this autumn, and we welcome feedback from our congregations and wider worshipping community. We hope that this new start will be an opportunity for renewal and growth.

The Reverend Canon Dr. Anthony Rustell,
Residentiary Canon

Cathedral welcomes vital new grant

Portsmouth Cathedral has secured additional a three-year grant from the Cathedral Sustainability Fund, for fully funding a new post of Visitor Experience and Volunteer Manager. We are pleased to welcome this much-needed grant to enhance our visitor experience offer and to support the work of our volunteers. With work already underway in this area, including new visitor apps and tours, the new post-holder will be charged with further improving our visitor experience, and will work with colleagues at other local heritage sites to raise the profile of the Cathedral as a visitor destination. They will also work with Canon Kathryn to support the work of our volunteers.

Dean Anthony says: “We are most grateful that the Cathedral Sustainability Fund continues to support the work we are doing here in Portsmouth. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers, that we are seen as a good place to support. I am particularly delighted that this role gives the Cathedral the necessary resources to more fully engage with external partners while at the same time ensuring that we have a dedicated person to work with and support our marvellous volunteers.”

The closing date for applications is 26 September 2021.

Find out more and download an application pack.

Records management consultant recruitment

Also, 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.

This is a re-advertisement of this role; the application deadline is 26 September 2021.

Find out more and download an application pack.

New volunteer roles recruiting now!

The amazing work of our volunteers has helped keep Cathedral doors open over the events of the past 18 months. From stewarding to cleaning, admin to assisting customers in our shop, our volunteers are at the heart of all our work at the Cathedral.

Over the past year Portsmouth Cathedral has increased its online output, livestreaming services, and events via Facebook Live and YouTube Live. We are now looking for a dedicated team of individuals to support the technical aspects of our services and events at the Cathedral.

We’re looking for passionate individuals with an interest or background in sound, vision or technical support to be part of our new Volunteer Technical Team. Working with our Digital Marketing Manager and Vergers, you’ll be part of bringing our worship to all within our community, however they feel comfortable joining us. You can find out more about what these roles will entailon our website.

We are also continuing to recruit for other volunteer roles at the Cathedral including Shop Assistants, Stewards, “Holy Dusters”, Gardeners and many more.

Visit our volunteering page to apply online

Dean preaching on the Isle of Wight this Sunday

Dean Anthony will be presiding and preaching at the 9.30am Eucharist at All Saints, Ryde on Sunday 29 August.

Safeguarding Senior Leadership Pathway training

The Canon Precentor, Organist and Master of Choristers and the Chief Operating Officer will complete the third and final session of the Church of England’s safeguarding course for senior leaders on Tuesday, 31 August 2021

Ride and Stride – Saturday 11 September

Portsmouth Cathedral will once again be welcoming Riders and Striders for the annual event in aid of Hampshire and the Islands Historic Churches Trust.

We also hope to put together a team of Riders and Striders to support the Trust through sponsorship as they visit other churches in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight that day. 50% of the sponsorship raised is returned to your nominated church so your participation can also help the Cathedral.

If you would be interested in taking part please contact our Cycling Champion, Hannah Gunga, at info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk

Sunday Refreshments

We are hoping to resume the serving of refreshments after the 11 am Eucharist on Sundays from 19 September. Sue Ward has very kindly agreed to co-ordinate this and would be glad to hear from anyone who would be willing to be on the rota; pleasecontact Sue to volunteer or find out more.

Foodbank Donations 

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 are most neededon our website.

Cathedral office is closed this Monday

The offices in Cathedral House will be closed for the Bank Holiday this Monday, 30 August 2021.

Worship and Visiting

Portsmouth Cathedral is open daily for prayer, services and visiting. Booking is no longer required for services, unless otherwise indicated. 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 encouraging the wearing of face-coverings, checking in with the NHS Covid-19 app and remaining at a safe distance from other groups.

Find out more on our Covid-19 information page.

Annual Service for Seafarers

We look forward to welcoming the Lord Mayor and Councillors at this year’s Annual Service for Seafarers which is being held slightly earlier in the year on Sunday 12th September at 11:15am. Timings of 8:00am Holy Communion and 9:30am Pompey Sundays are unaffected, the Eucharist will be celebrated at 5:45pm instead of Choral Evensong.

Booking for this service will be required to ensure social distancing and available through Eventbrite from Friday 3rd September.

Thanks to our visiting Choirs!

Thank you to the visiting choirs leading the music in our services while the Cathedral Choirs are on holiday. You can see the full schedule of visiting choirs on our Choral Evensong 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: Trevor, Derek, Clare, Mervyn, Beverley, Richard, Aaron, Jane, Alan, Libby, Jennifer, Lesley, Hilary and all those in need.

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

We pray for those who have died recently: Duncan Walters, Joe Nicol, Chris Ahern and Sharon Farrand RIP.

Black Lives Matter Portrait Exhibition | Open daily until 17 September

Portsmouth Cathedral are honoured to be working with local photographer Charlotte Griffiths as she debuts her new exhibition inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement.

The exhibition combines Charlotte’s expert portrait photography, alongside the stories and experiences of black women and children in Portsmouth. A series of 10 portraits line the Nave of Portsmouth Cathedral, bringing together the struggles, triumphs, pain and happiness experienced by those involved.

Find out more

Portsmouth Cathedral Institute: Life After Covid: Radical transformation or business as usual? | 11 September, 10:00am–3:30 pm

Join us for this day conference to explore how to draw lessons from our experience and shape the future that we want before us.

As well as sharing our concerns and aspirations, we will hear from people who have engaged with the pandemic in their work locally.

Find out more and book online

PCCA: Harvest Celebration Barn Dance | 18 September, 6:30pm

The Portsmouth Cathedral Choir Association is delighted to announce the return of our Harvest Celebration Barn Dance. Bar & Snacks available. We plan to hold a raffle at this event, donations to which would be gratefully received, please email Rachael, if you would like to contribute to this.

Find out more and book online

Alice Hume: Interactive Weaves Exhibition | Daily from 21 September until 7 October

An exhibition of the of interactive community weaves created over the summer in collaboration with the Hotwalls Studios Artists to share skills, raise awareness of sustainable materials and build culture and community in Old Portsmouth.

Find out more

Halabja in the Golden Days | Daily from 14 October until 3 November

Before 1988, Halabja was renowned for its beauty and culture. Gulan and our associates have conducted interviews to create a series of articles on the city’s art, theatre, music and sports. Together with essays on Halabja’s history, poetry and costumes, these were published in magazine format as part of the Journeys Festival International in 2020.

Gulan is now turning this material, together with new artworks by Kurdish artists, into an exhibition in Portsmouth Cathedral. The exhibition will also include a major new artwork commission to be installed in the cathedral nave.

Find out more

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.