A reflection from
Dean Anthony...

This week I’ve been attending the annual College of Deans ‘residential’, but it probably won’t surprise you to hear that I haven’t actually been away; rather I’ve been engaging with my fellow Deans via a computer screen. Nor will it surprise you that the sessions have had titles like ‘Running Cathedrals beyond Covid’ and ‘Worship in personand online’.

Worthy and useful as these topics were, the highlight was something rather different: Canon Mark Oakley speaking on the topic of ‘Lament: personally, in community and in the nation.’ Lament is an unusual word which has to do with the expression of deep sorrow, and is a deeply biblical concept. For example, one third of the psalter comprises ‘psalms of lament’. In his talk Mark Oakley, encouraged us to recognise the impact of the pandemic lockdowns on us personally, on our communities, and indeed the wider world.

Be honest, he said. Don’t pretend it hasn’t been tough, and continues to be tough. We aren’t helped by what he called ‘cheerful dishonesty’.

In the subsequent discussion, the Dean of Southwark told of the huge correspondence he’d had following a funeral service for Doorkins the Cathedral cat. It was quite apparent, he said, that the grief focussed on this loss was about far more than the death of a pet, but somehow enabled the tears to flow for many other losses and pains.

This week, many people, including The Queen, are experiencing the pain of bereavement. Psalm 42, one of those psalms of lament, may speak for them: ‘My tears have been my food, day and night’. But that same psalm ends, ‘for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.’ In the end, lament leads to praise, but it doesn’t get there easily or quickly. Rather it gets there honestly.

At Easter, the risen Jesus asks, ‘Why are you weeping?’ It’s a question for our times, and naming our losses is an important part of moving forward in hope, as we begin, step by step, to emerge from the travails of the past year.

With my prayers and best wishes,

The Very Reverend Dr. Anthony Cane,
Dean of Portsmouth

Remember that our Cathedral ministry team is here for anyone in need. Contact us using the details at the end of the email, or on pastoral@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk

Book of Condolence

Leave a message in the Church of England online book of condolence for His Royal Highness Prince Philip. You can find it on the Church of England website.

Community News

Celebrating the life of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Following the news of the death of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on Friday, Portsmouth Cathedral held a special Choral Evensong in Commemoration and Thanksgiving for his life on Sunday 11 April.

This service was open to the public and livestreamed to those joining us from home, providing an opportunity for the City and Diocese of Portsmouth to pay our respects to Prince Philip, and to give thanks to God for his life.

You can catch up on this special service from our website. If you wish to sign the Church of England book of condolence you can find it here.

Paying tribute in partnership with Classic FM

We’re honoured to be hosting a very special recital paying tribute to HRH The Prince Phillip, in partnership with Classic FM. Alexandra Stevenson, Bishop Kenneth’s youngest daughter (well known to our congregation) will be singing Pie Jesu from The Requiem by Fauré’s, accompanied by Organist & Master of the Choristers, David Price on the Organ.

You’ll be able to find this very special recording on the Classic FM website, and on our social media channels over the weekend.

Introducing the Season of Generosity 

We invite you to join the whole Cathedral community for our first Season of Generosity. As we emerge from pandemic restrictions, we are now able to focus in earnest on the ambitions of our Cathedral Vision and Strategy.

This includes growing our worshipping community, deepening our service to the local community, welcoming more visitors, and having the financial resources to achieve these and all our other aspirations.

The Season of Generosity will run from 25 April to mid-May and explore what it means to be generous as individuals and a community. Financial generosity is part of our response to God’s overflowing generosity to us, and so we will be inviting you to consider your giving to the Cathedral, and how this sits within generous, Christ-centred lives.

Earth Day – 22 April 2021

Since the first Earth Day in 1970, this movement has sought to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental movement worldwide. We, at the Cathedral, have actively taken steps to help play our part in decreasing our carbon footprint and supporting biodiversity.

Since 2013 we have decreased our use of gas and electricity by 30% when seasonally adjusted (46% when not seasonally adjusted), lessening our carbon footprint. This has also meant that we have decreased our net spending per annum in this area from £38,000 to £20,000 since 2013.

We are committed to doing more, and this year we are focusing this year on moving from Bronze to Silver status under Eco Church (Eco Church - An A Rocha UK Project).

Find out more about the work we’re doing and how to get involved on our website.

Vision and Strategy – Update and Feedback from our Consultation

On Tuesday 13 April we held an open session for all members of the Cathedral community on Zoom. At the event Dean Anthony and Richard Abraham, Chief Operating Officer, fed back how our community consultation helped to shape the Cathedral Vision statement (Portsmouth Cathedral: A beacon and safe haven, anchored in Jesus Christ) and the six strategic objectives.

Read more about the session on our website.

FIC Meets, Monday 19 April

The Finance and Investment Committee (FIC), chaired by Mary Makin, meets on Monday afternoon to review the 2020 Annual Accounts in advance of Chapter reviewing the Accounts on 28 April 2021.

Portsmouth Cathedral welcomes lifeline funding from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage

Portsmouth Cathedral is delighted to announce that we have been awarded a grant from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage.

We are one of thousands of cultural organisations across the country being awarded support totalling nearly £400million today. This grant will provide a continued lifeline to Portsmouth Cathedral, safeguarding jobs and supporting us financially over the next three months as we start to reopen for public visiting.

If you want to learn more about how this vital funding will be supporting the Cathedral, read more on our website.

Spruce up your space this spring!

If you've not already discovered the new Portsmouth Cathedral shop then take the opportunity to explore our assortment of handpicked, ethically sourced home and garden range.

Find local producers such as The Southsea Bathing Hut Co, or our very own Cathedral Collection range inspired by our heritage and building.

We've also sourced some of the UK's best producers from further afield, including Liga - a family business drawing inspiration from nature to design eco homewares for everyday living, using only sustainable materials.

Find all this and more in our new online shop

Enjoy home delivery

We are delighted to announce you can now have orders from the Cathedral Shop delivered to your door (UK addresses only). You’ll still be able to take full advantage of our convenient click and collect service.

In line with Government guidance, you’ll be able to shop with us in-store as the Cathedral Shop is due to physically re-open again on 17 May.

Shop online now

Get your dancing shoes on – we’ve got a challenge!

Kitty Price is organising a Portsmouth Cathedral version of the Jerusalema line dance challenge. Not sure what this is? You can find some great on YouTube examples here.

If you would like to take part in a socially distanced congregational contribution, please email her at mrskittyprice@aol.com

Bible Discussion Group

Our Bible Discussion Group resumes, after an Easter break, on Thursday 22 April at 7 pm. This term, we will be looking at biblical characters, and we will be starting with Ruth – so if you’d like to prepare, do read the Book of Ruth.

If you'd like to join this group, please email info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk

Revision of Electoral Roll

In preparation for the APCM, the Annual Revision of the Cathedral's Electoral Roll will take place from 23rd April to 7th May 2021. The names of those on the roll will be on display in the Cathedral during that time.

If you are not on the roll and do not live in the parish you will not be eligible to vote at all our Annual Meetings. A copy of the application form is (insert link).

For further details please talk to the Electoral Roll Officer, Terry Ward or contact the Cathedral Offices.

Worship and Visiting the Cathedral

Portsmouth Cathedral continues to be open daily for private prayer, daily Holy Communion and Sunday Services. Sadly, government guidelines do not allow for sightseeing and our shop is also closed for now, except for click-and-collect from the online shop.

We continue to take every precaution to reduce the spread of coronavirus, including the mandatory wearing of face masks, except for those with exemptions (please note face visors should only be worn with a face mask). Find out more on our Covid-19 information page.

We continue to broadcast daily services on our live page and Facebook. Find out more on our website and download orders of services.

Compline resumes this Monday

Online Compline will be resuming this Monday, 19 April at 8:30pm. In the meantime, you can find online prayer resources on our website for worship at home.

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: Bob, Derek, Trevor, Izzy, Clare, Sarah, Jenny, Michael, Rita, Dave, Mercedes, Amanda, Reuben, Kathy, Alison, Emilia, Anthea, David, Linda, Mervyn, Beverley, Oliver, Richard, Hannah, Jan, Muriel and all those in need.

Long-term sick including: Graeme, Clifford, Christopher, Johnny, Jane, Andrew, Melissa, Christopher, Bishop Peter, Tara, Jenny, Arthur and Suzy.

We pray for those who have died recently: HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Binnie Fisher, Mike Bailey, Susan Martin, Mary Verrier and Marilyn Jordan, Jeffrey Beadle RIP.

To add someone to the prayer list, please email info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk

Upcoming Services and Events

Sunday Refreshments via Zoom – 18 April, 6:30pm

Join us for our weekly Sunday Refreshments hosted on Zoom – catch up with other members of the congregation and our ministry team.

For security reasons please join our email notices to get the Zoom link for this event.

Grand Choeur Organ Spectacular – Friday, 23 April, 7pm

A truly international event with performers from around the world taking part. Hosted by former Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls, the music is led by Francis Murton here in Jersey and they are joined by some of the UK's leading organists (including our own Organist David Price) and organ students to perform for you in aid of Mind and Help Musicians.

Find out more on Facebook