A reflection from the Revd Catherine Edenborough

A few Saturdays ago, I walked into the Cathedral at 8pm to find it in darkness. Well, not exactly total darkness, but the space had been transformed into different phases of the night.
 
In St Thomas’ Chapel, it was dusk – an inky blue light enveloped you with candles bringing glimmers of light into the darkness.
 
On the baptistry walls and ceiling there was a night sky scene, with a myriad of stars gently swirling above your head.
 
In the nave, it was dawn, with red and golden lights on the pillars and a vivid, hopeful glow illuminating the singing gallery.
 
An atmospheric soundscape accompanied the experience – sometimes birdsong, sometimes singing, sometimes simply sounds.
 
It felt restful, spacious and welcoming.  Visitors – both young and old - were wandering around drinking in the atmosphere of each area.  It was our familiar Cathedral space reimagined in a new light and offered to the community in an unexpected way.
 
This was part of #CathedralsAtNight, an initiative on the part of Cathedrals across the country to open their doors on the evening of Saturday 14th May to offer a cultural and spiritual experience for free.  The Portsmouth version was the imaginative creation of our Events Manager, Jemima Crayden, and Joseph Keele-Toms, the Digital Marketing Manager and huge thanks go to them for masterminding it. 
 
The fascinating thing was that the majority of visitors were not cathedral-regulars but visitors and tourists who had seen it advertised and were curious to come along.  It was great to see the Cathedral being offered in this way and it is exciting to consider how we might build on this experience and draw more people into the building for an encounter with God in a way that complements the regular worship and liturgy of the Cathedral.  This was one more thing to add to all that we do ‘around the edges’ of worship to connect with people.
 
Watch this space for future events!

Community News

Summer of magnificent events at Portsmouth Cathedral

Keep an eye out for our Summer 2022 events programme, coming out this June. Featuring a spectacular selection of events for the whole family, including music, art, community events and more! Make sure you follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter the most up to date information about everything happening at Portsmouth Cathedral.

Upcoming Event Highlights

NEXT WEEKEND: Platinum Jubilee Celebrations - Friday 3 – Sunday 5 June
Celebrate this unprecedented anniversary with us at Portsmouth Cathedral, including concerts, community events, and family activities taking place across the bank holiday weekend from. Be sure to book tickets for the Platinum Proms by the Sea, featuring the Solent Syphony Orchestra.
See more →

Paint Back the Past | Ports Fest 2022
Join your local community to rediscover the lost streets of Old Portsmouth, and help us create a re-imagined version of the former High Street. Uncover our local history with fun hands-on activities, perfect for the whole family! Taking place throughout the duration of Ports Fest, no booking required and participation is free.
See more →

Portsmouth Cathedral Institute
Home to high quality research and public debate about the most important questions of ethics, the common good and human flourishing as they relate to the city of Portsmouth. See our series of lectures; Six Works that Changed the World, from the 6 June to the 11 July.
See more →

Annual Meetings

On Tuesday we gathered for our Annual Meetings at which the 2021 Annual Accounts were received.  The meetings included: a review of activities and briefing on the 2021 Cathedrals Measure by the Dean; a presentation on the Cathedral's financial situation, including the successes of the past year and the challenges to come, by the Chief Operating Officer and a report on Deanery Synod by Marian Pottinger.  All those who were closely connected to the Cathedral Community and who had died in the past year were also remembered.

We offer our congratulations to all those who were elected to serve the cathedral community:  Chris Nichol - Churchwarden; Ronald Rabbetts - Churchwarden also serving as Lay Chapter; Alex Lochrane - Lay Chapter and Ann Wilson - congregational representative on Cathedral Council.

Cathedral Office Closure

The Cathedral Offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, 2 and 3 June, for the Jubilee Bank holidays.
The offices will remain closed on Monday, 6 June as staff will be participating in an awayday.  The office will reopen on Tuesday morning, 7 June 2022.

Ukraine Benefit Concert at Portsmouth Cathedral

Portsmouth Cathedral are pleased to be hosting a Ukraine Benefit Concert organised by Ports Fest, featuring Carlos Bonell and Friends. All proceeds will be going to the Doctors Without Borders’ Ukraine appeal.

Carlos Bonell is one of the greatest communicators of the guitar world and one of todays most celebrated guitarists. Several musicians are scheduled to perform with Carlos who will be joined by Debra Adamson-Brattland, Zoe Barnett, Marley Blandford, and Igor Outkine who will provide us with a joyful evening of music.

Find out more and book online →

Matthew Jackson RIP 

Mike and Jane Jackson wish to thank the Dean, Clergy and the Cathedral community for the many thoughtful cards and letters at the loss of their son, Matthew. The family funeral is being held on the 9th June followed by a memorial service later in the year.

The Big Bunting Challenge

We still need your help to adorn Portsmouth Cathedral in community-made recycled bunting!

Join in our ‘Big Bunting Challenge’ and help create hundreds of feet of eco-friendly bunting, whether it be old bedsheets, dresses from the 80’s you’d rather forget, use your recycled materials to make bunting for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. All colours and patterns are welcome from floral to dotty, colourful to greyscale!

There’s also a gift voucher for our Cathedral Shop to whoever donates the most bunting!

Find out more and see how to get involved on our website →

Cathedral Music Trust Grant

The Cathedral welcomed the news this week that, for the second year running, the Cathedral Music Trust has provided a grant to support core musical activities here at Portsmouth Cathedral. The grant will help to ensure that the Cathedral has the financial ability to support ongoing activities including our musical outreach programme, Cathedral Sing.

Dean Anthony says, “We are most grateful to the Trust for again supporting music at the Cathedral. Last year their funding supported the ongoing musical development of our choristers, and ensured we were able to rise to the big occasions such as the commemorative Evensong after the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the leaving service for Bishop Christopher and the installation of Bishop Jonathan. Equally importantly, their funding helps to make possible the music that enhances our daily worship of God. The Trust’s continued support is most welcome especially as we begin to navigate the financially turbulent year ahead.”

David Price, Organist and Master of Choristers adds, “The English Choral Tradition is at the very heart of our cathedrals. I personally welcome this grant as it will help to ensure that we can continue to provide a place for children and young people to develop their God given talents to His praise and glory; playing their part, through music, of creating that ‘Beacon and Safe Haven, Anchored in Jesus Christ’ for all to enjoy …. and to come and worship.”

Meet the Dean

Dean Anthony is offering a regular, quarterly opportunity for any members of the Cathedral community to meet with him over a cup of tea or coffee.

The next of these will take place on Thursday 16 June in the Cathedral from 10.30 - 11.30. 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.

An Evening with the Scholars – Friday 24 June, 7.30pm

Come and join the Portsmouth Cathedral scholars for a short evening concert to mark the end of their year with us. They will be performing a mix of sacred and secular songs and close-harmony, supported by a few friends including pianist Teresa Foster

Find out more →

Help for Ukrainian Refugees

Our Diocese, working with Citizens UK, has committed to finding 50 hosts for Ukrainian refugees, together with others to befriend and support. If you would like to know more, visit the Diocese website or speak to Canon Nick Ralph.

Friends Quiz Night – Tue 31 May, 6:30pm-8:00pm

Unfortunately the Quiz Night planned for 31 May has been cancelled. It is hoped to rearrange the event later in the year.
For more information about membership of the Friends, please visit our website or contact friends@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk.

For more information about membership of the Friends, please visit our website or contact friends@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk.

Cleaning up Southsea Common – 7 June 2022

Tired of seeing plastic and paper litter blowing across the Common?  Here’s the opportunity to join friends from across Portsmouth to do something about it.

As part of activities to mark World Environment Day, the Environment Agency is sponsoring a Litter Pick on Southsea Common from 10am to 2pm on Tuesday, 7 June 2022. The meeting point is the Chesapeake Monument. The Agency will provide Litter Picking kits for use on the day.

Our Climate Champion, Sue Ward, is looking for others to join her on the day so please speak with her directly about this opportunity to care for God’s. Also, for further details and to register to attend please see:- World Environment Day Litter Pick Tickets, Tue 7 Jun 2022 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

Foodbank Donations

Many families are feeling the struggle of the recent cost of living crisis, your support of the Roberts Centre Foodbank has never been more important. Following a recent delivery of your donations, the Roberts Centre have suggested the following as being as most needed:

Cereals
Long-life or powdered milk
Tinned food eg. veg, meat, meals
Nappies

Please bring your donations to the Foodbank collection point in the Welcome Area during the Cathedral’s daily opening hours.

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.

This Sunday

The Dean is presiding and preaching at St Andrew's Church, Farlington, this morning.

We are pleased to welcome Canon Angela Tilby, Canon of Honour to preach at Choral Evensong, which begins at 17.45.

Holy Communion with prayers for Wholeness and Healing - Wednesday 1st June, 12 noon

 Every first Wednesday in the month, our midday Eucharist includes special prayers for wholeness and healing - for ourselves, for any we know and for the world.
Do come along if there is someone you are particularly praying for or would like prayer for yourself.

Change of service times

Please note, on Thursday 2nd June and Friday 3rd June, Morning Prayer will be said at 08.40, and Holy Communion celebrated at 09.00.

Cathedral Quiet Hour - Saturday 4th June, 17.45

A beautiful Organ Meditation with reflective music and prayers for the Eve of Pentecost as we mark this significant weekend.

Eucharist - Sunday 5th June

The 11am Sung Eucharist will be attended by the HMS Glamorgan Association and members of the D-Day and Normandy Fellowship.
 
The service will include a commemoration of those who served in the Falklands Campaign on board HMS Glamorgan including those who died in action who are named on the Glamorgan Memorial in the Cathedral.

Prayers and Intercessions

We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Tom, Beverley, Richard, Jane, Alan, Amanda, Derek, Denise, Alan, Rachel, Lucy, Martin, Susan, Jean, Alan, Rita, Graeme, and all those in need.

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

We pray for those who have died recently: Edward Parker-Jervis, and Matthew Jackson 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.

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