A reflection from Canon Anthony

 Classical Christian theology has been centred on the three transcendentals: goodness, truth and beauty. However, since the Enlightenment there has been a tendency to split them apart into three completely different spheres. 
 
In such a philosophical mindset, the pursuit of truth can easily become abstract and ugly, where things are proposed as true regardless of their moral consequences. Ethics on the other hand can become divorced from any notion of truth, so that individual opinion, often based on pure emotion, is elevated to highest position. Such a notion of goodness can be both limited to our internal wishes and whims, and also become relativistic and transitory. Meanwhile, aesthetics becomes a field left on its own, concerned merely with superficial appearances, rather than the ability of art to move the imagination to contemplate that which is beyond it.
 
Christian theology has held that the three transcendentals should be intertwined and connected: what is beautiful should make us think about what is good and true; what is good should make us think of beauty and truth; what is true should be beautiful and good. In such an understanding beauty is not merely about something being lovely to behold. Rather true beauty is that which allows human beings, as sensory beings, to grasp knowledge and goodness.
 
A vital part of the mission of the cathedral is to be a place of art and music: somewhere we can encounter God’s truth and goodness through our imaginations. On Saturday 30 July the annual Portsmouth and Hampshire Art Society exhibition begins at the cathedral. We encourage you to view the exhibition and to reflect on how the works contribute to our knowledge of God and the world.
 
The Reverend Canon Dr. Anthony Rustell,
Residentiary Canon

Highlights this week...

• Portsmouth & Hampshire Art Society Summer Exhibition – Daily from 30 July to 10 August

• Taizé style worship – Saturday 30 July, 5:45pm

• Weston Jennings Organ Recital on Thursday – 4 August, 1:10pm

Upcoming dates for your diary…

• The Wild Cathedral Sensory Garden – Daily from 16 August to 3 September

• Late Nights at The Wild Cathedral – 26 August & 2 September

Community News

Extended summer opening hours

We are pleased to announce extended opening hours for the cathedral during the month of August. Starting on Monday, 1 August through to Sunday, 4 September 2022, the Cathedral will be open from 10:00am until the completion of Evening Prayer/Evensong, around 6:15pm, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays the cathedral will be open for the 8:00am service and will close directly after the completion of Evening Prayer/Evensong in the evening, around 6:15pm.

Dean Anthony says, “It’s an important trial for us as we reopen to public to be able to welcome worshipper, pilgrim and visitor alike for these extended hours. We will review how this trial period goes and then make further decisions about the pattern of our opening hours for autumn and winter.”

See more about visiting the cathedral →

Harvest Celebration, Barn Dance & Supper

Join us in the Cathedral Nave on Saturday 15 October, for a family friendly evening of traditional dancing and a seasonal soup supper. Live music and guided dances by the Woodsiders Ceilidh & Barn Dance Band.

Find out more and book online →

The arrival of Oscar Green!

We are all delighted here at the Cathedral family to welcome our newest member in the form of a healthy and happy little boy for our Head Verger and Precinct Manager, Malina and her husband Adrian, one of our Lay Clerks.

Adrian and Malina say “We are delighted that Oscar managed to arrive on Father’s Day this year (19 June), just a day ahead of his due date. So far, he is settling in well. We want to thank all the staff and members of the Cathedral community who have supported us through the past year or so, and we are especially grateful for the flowers, cards, and other gifts, which have been so generously given to us.”

He will be a chorister in no time!

Out and about around the Diocese

This weekend sees the start of #CowesWeek on the Isle of Wight, an annual celebration of sailing with racing & much more! On Sunday at 6:15pm, Dean Anthony will be preaching at the Cowes Week Regatta Service, at Holy Trinity Church.

Learn more about Cowes Week here →

Late Nights at The Wild Cathedral 

This summer, Portsmouth Cathedral will transform into a space sure to be a feast for the senses with The Wild Cathedral sensory garden, which will be open daily from Tuesday 16 August – Saturday 3 September with free admission. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to explore the Cathedral as the outdoors comes indoors for a sensory garden experience suitable for the whole family.

In addition to the daily offering, on Fridays the Cathedral will be hosting Late Nights at The Wild Cathedral giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy a drink and explore the garden after dark. With light, soundscape, and projection overlays, the Cathedral and sensory garden will be transformed. In collaboration with folk artist Katie Spencer, soundscapes, created specifically for the garden, will follow guests around as they explore under the cover of darkness. Late Nights at The Wild Cathedral will be taking place on Friday 26 August and 2 September, with an additional charge and booking available from our website.

Learn more and book online →

Introduction to the Enneagram - Saturday 10th September

Want to understand more about what makes you tick and why you do the things you do?

Join Rev. Catherine Edenborough and Rev. Ann Leonard on 10 September to discover the nine personality types of the Enneagram and learn how understanding your own type can provide a dynamic 'map' to the person you were created to be.

Learn more and how to book here →

FIC News

The Finance and Investment Committee met on Wednesday, 20 July 2022. The Committee noted the challenging financial position faced by the Cathedral as inflationary pressures begin to drive up our running costs. As noted in the Chapter update from last week’s notices, these costs and overspend in departments will increase the projected deficit to closer to £120,000 from the projected £97,000 when the budget was set.

Our investments have also been negatively impacted by the recent turbulence in the markets. Total investment value has decreased by just over 8% in the first half of 2022. Currently, Chapter has no need to access these funds and if this continues to be the case then it is hoped that the stock market will have recovered when and if it needs to do so. .

FIC reviewed progress on drafting of the 2023 budget. The Committee will meet again in early September to finalise the budget that will then be presented to Chapter for approval later in September.

Help for Ukrainian Refugees

Our diocese is continuing to work as a partner with the charity Citizens UK to offer accommodation to refugees who are fleeing from the conflict in Ukraine. They were already running a project to sponsor refugees before the Ukrainian crisis, and have partners in Ukraine, Moldova and Poland who can identify refugees and organise transport to the UK.

If you would like to know more, visit the Diocese website or speak to Canon Nick Ralph.

Foodbank Donations

Can you provide breakfasts for a struggling family? Over the school holidays, its never been more important to help families who may rely on school meals.

Our collection bins need filling so please help if you can...

• 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.

Taizé – This Saturday (30 July) 5:45pm

Our Taizé style service of quiet reflective music, prayers and readings, meets in St Thomas’s Chapel at 5:45pm. Come and sing beautiful chants and be led in prayer with a time of quiet reflection and meditation.The service usually lasts around 40 minutes.

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, Lucy, Jean, Alistair, John, Edda, and all those in need.

Long-term sick including: Alison, Clifford, Christopher, Jane, Melissa, Suzy, Bob, Sarah, Izzy, Andrew, Peter, and Rachel.

We pray for those who have died recently: Joyce Walker, Malcolm Clubley, Anna Harriman, Rita Robinson, Martin How, Patrick Symes RIP.


We pray for the Lambeth Conference (taking place from 26 July to 8 August) and all the Bishops of the Anglican Communion who are attending and exploring together the theme: 'God's Church for God's World'.

A prayer from the Community of Hope Weavers':
Gracious God, we thank you that in Jesus you reconcile the world and all who are in it to yourself.

Touch the hearts of those attending the Lambeth Conference
to extend your peace to all, and to work for the reconciliation of all creation.

Bless them with your grace and love as they connect with one another and with you.

May your Spirit of peace hover over their conversations and their resting times, and may your gracious will be done in the life of the Anglican Communion and in the whole of your precious world.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Prince of Peace.

Amen.
You can download a prayer guide with themes for the whole conference and prayers from the different Anglican provinces.

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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