A reflection from Revd Catherine

I switched on the radio in the car the other day and caught the beginning of a programme on Radio 4 called ‘The Anatomy of Kindness’. Part of a series looking at different aspects of kindness, this episode was asking the question ‘Can bosses be kind?’ I was quite shocked that the question was even being posed. Surely, it’s understood that kindness and leadership are not mutually exclusive!? Although I suppose given the recent situation with P&O Ferries, you can see why people might believe this to be true and having had my share of poor bosses in the past, I can certainly think of a few who didn’t seem to know the meaning of the word!

The presenter went onto talk about The Kindness Test, a survey of more than 60,000 people concerning their experience of kindness. With some excitement, the owner of the survey spoke about how the data collected revealed that people really valued kindness, that it creates connection, wellbeing, and trust, and was also good for the bottom line of a business. (Erm…. hello…yes, of course!)

Another way they referred to kindness in bosses was ‘ethical leadership’. Such leaders, they said, display kindness along with integrity, trustworthiness, and humility. They act as role-models for these qualities to others. Neither does kindness equate to being a pushover or weak. Indeed, a key aspect of kindness was seen to be the ability to hold people accountable and take action on difficult decisions. ‘When the going gets tough, it’s the kind that get going,’ they concluded.

The more the programme went on, the more what they were describing seemed to me to be the characteristics of Christ. It was fascinating and encouraging (although not that surprising) that the truth about us being made in the image of God could be revealed in scientifically gathered data!

It gives me pause to consider how much we all need kindness. When we hear the news from Ukraine, in the midst of so much evil, it is the stories of kindness that bring hope and restore our faith in humanity and in God’s presence amongst us. How am I being kind?

And as we enter Passiontide this Sunday, it also reminds me of Christ’s overwhelming loving kindness towards us – in facing things head-on, knowing he would soon be starting on the road to Jerusalem and the cross and not flinching from it. “When the going gets tough, it’s the kind that get going.”

Community News

Your generosity reaches a new milestone

Thanks to your tremendous generosity over the past two years, regular giving to the Cathedral during 2021 exceeded £100,000 for the first time. Following the Season of Generosity in spring 2021, regular donations increased by an amazing 24%.

Your support plays a vital role in enabling our core mission and work to happen. Regular donations are particularly welcome as they help us to plan our work with greater confidence.

From all of us at Portsmouth Cathedral, thank you for your generosity.

Cathedral Comfort Survey

Our Cathedral heating plant is ageing and will require substantial replacement work in the next five years. In anticipation of this, we have been monitoring temperatures and energy consumption since 2017 and commissioned a condition survey in late 2018, however, temperature statistics only tell one part of the story.

We are keen to get feedback from parishioners, volunteers, and regular visitors on how comfort levels are perceived in the Cathedral, whether it be at an early morning service in the chapel, Sunday service in the Nave or at a concert – plus anything and everything in between.

Any feedback will not only help inform the design feasibility process but also be helpful to the vergers in managing the heating day to day. We would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to complete this questionnaire online or find a paper version in the Cathedral and return it to the welcome desk before the end of April.

Your response can be anonymous or feel free leave your contact details if you would like to be more involved in this dialogue as we move forward. Please don’t hesitate to be frank in your responses!

Complete the survey online →

Announcing a new curate

We are pleased to share a statement from the Bishop of Portsmouth:

‘Following Ven. Peter Leonard’s resignation as Team Rector of Newport, Carisbrooke and Gatcombe it has been agreed that Rev Hannah Barraclough, Assistant Curate, will move to continue her training in our Cathedral Church of St Thomas.
Hannah’s final day in the Benefice of Newport Minster, St John, and Carisbrooke and Gatcombe will be Sunday 3rd April.
Please do keep Hannah in your prayers.’

We look forward to welcoming Hannah to the Cathedral soon to joining our current Cathedral Curate, Catherine Edenborough.

Tickets now sale for Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra this May

On Saturday 21 May, BSO Voice: Requiem 2020 will be performed at Portsmouth Cathedral. This new Requiem is reflection on a year of great upheaval, events that resounded around the world.

Written for chorus and four soloists plus orchestra it is thrilling work based around the traditional religious liturgy but with added lyrics sourced from quotations by Martin Luther King Jnr, JK Rowling, Khalil Gibran and Joaquin Phoenix, as well as the last words by George Floyd – “I can’t breathe!”

Tickets are limited so book early –find out more and book online →

Remember a loved one by donating an Easter Lily

This Easter, remember your loved ones by donating an Easter Lily. All donated lilies will form part of our beautiful floral display in the Cathedral. The names of all those remembered will also be entered by hand into our Easter Lily Memorial Book. Please make your donation by 10 April.

Donate an Easter Lily online →

Lent Group: Art Tuesdays

The Art Tuesdays series concludes this Tuesday 5 April at 7:30pm via Zoom. We’re joined by renowned artist Pete Codling, who will be talking on the subject of Art and glory in war.

Get the link in our weekly Cathedral Notices email.

Stations of the Cross concludes next Friday

The final of our Stations of the Cross series will conclude next Friday with Stations of the Cross by Alan Ridout. Played by David Price on organ with reflections from Angela Tilby, we welcome you to join us at 7:30pm next Friday (8 April).

This evening (Friday, 1 April), Daniel Sandell and Cathedral Organ Scholar, Joel Colyer play Bach’s Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen.

See more of our Lent, Holy Week and Easter programme →

Holy Week begins next Sunday

Join us for Holy Week which starts next Sunday (10 April). Our Palm Sunday services include Holy Communion (BCP) with blessing of palms at 8:00am, #PompeySundays at 9:30am, and Eucharist with Blessing of Palms and Sung Passion at 11:00am. The Eucharist service starts in Grand Parade, where the donkey will be waiting - bring a branch of greenery with you from home if possible.

Palm Sunday services conclude with Choral Evensong at 5:45pm, with our Holy Week Preacher Canon Tim Schofield giving the first address in his ‘Signs of Glory’ series: The Touchstone.

Easter in the Cathedral Shop

Our full Easter range is now available in the shop, including easter gifts, cards, and eggs. Back by popular demand – Love Cocoa’s luxury vegan chocolate range is perfect eco-conscious shopper. You’ll also find The Real Easter Egg range, perfect for the little ones, with Fair Trade chocolate and a book featuring stories from the bible. Homeware such as mugs, coasters and candles are also available to fill your home with Easter joy!

Shop online or visit in-store

Please note the shop will be closed for an Easter break from Maundy Thursday 14 April and reopen on Tuesday 26 April. Orders can be placed online but they won't be processed until after the break.

Chapter Meeting on Wednesday

Chapter meets to review and approve the 2021 Annual Accounts on Wednesday. Haysmacintyre, the Cathedral's auditors, will be in attendance. The annual accounts will be presented to the congregation for discussion at the APCM on 24 May 2022.

At this meeting Chapter will also prepare its response to the recent Peer Review organised by the Association of English Cathedrals. Reports will also be presented outlining work being carried out across the Cathedral.

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. Donations of food and toiletries are particularly needed at the moment and greatly appreciated by those using the service.

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.

Good Friday children’s worship and Easter Garden

Calling all budding gardeners! At our children’s worship (also suitable for adults) at 10:00am on Good Friday, 15 April, we will be making an Easter Garden. This will be displayed in the Cathedral from our Easter Vigil service onwards. Making the garden together will be a wonderful way of learning about the significance of these holy days, with all welcome to join! Why not invite friends who are new to church or haven’t been for a while?

Prayers and intercessions

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

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

We pray for those who have died recently: John Charlesworth, Evelyn Small, Colin Garner, Mona Elliot, Stan Hoare, Fred Middleton, Gordon Jones, and Audrey Kaminski 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.