Weekly Notices | Sunday, 4 September 2022
A reflection from Dean Anthony
As I write this, teachers are preparing to welcome pupils back to school, the cathedral choirs are about to return, and we await the announcement of a new Prime Minister. It feels like a time of new beginnings, but at the same time it is hard not to be aware of looming difficulties – from the impact of huge energy price rises, to the ongoing war in Ukraine and devastating floods in Pakistan.
This is the context in which we hear the passage from Luke’s Gospel for this coming Sunday, which tells both of realism and of hope. Jesus uses the example of somebody building a tower, who must first carefully estimate how much it will cost, otherwise they find themselves ridiculed for being able to complete the task. He does this in the context of calling people to follow him, and so be part of building the inbreaking Kingdom of God.
In times such as these, Jesus offers the much needed gift of hope; real hope, simultaneously rooted in reality and infused with God’s grace. This past week, the Church remembered the death of John the Baptist (while imprisoned by Herod), and the next day John Bunyan (who began to write Pilgrim’s Progress in prison). This has made me think about some of the many remarkable people whose lives have shaped by time behind bars, amongst them the Italian anti-fascist writer Antonio Gramsci. He used the phrase ‘pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will’ to warn against the dangers of both wishful thinking, and of resignation or despair. In this he expresses something important for all of us, very much in the spirit of Jesus’s call to each one of us to follow him in realism and hope, for the sake of God’s world.
With my prayers and best wishes,
The Very Reverend Dr Anthony Cane,
Dean of Portsmouth
Highlights this week...
The Wild Cathedral Sensory Garden – closes tomorrow with plant sale in Nave
Late Nights at The Wild Cathedral – final night tonight (Friday)
Lunchtime Live – returns 8 September
Choirs returns for Choral Evensong – 9 September
Upcoming dates for your diary…
Heritage Open Days Astounding Inventions – from 10 September
RSCM Singing Day with Philip Stopford – 17 September
Barn Dance – 15 October
Community News
Celebrate England’s ‘Astounding Inventions’ with free tours & family activities
Come and learn about the astounding inventions that can be found within Portsmouth Cathedral. Learn more about inventions like our Nicholson Organ, to the fascinating story of Jonas Hanaway, his links to the Cathedral and his popularisation the handy umbrella!
Join us on 10 September for free family hands on activities, where you can make your own paper umbrella to be hung in the cathedral. Or explore behind the scenes with special organ tours taking place during the day.
Learn more →
The Wild Cathedral – Closes this Weekend
Explore with sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste, as the outside comes inside this summer at The Wild Cathedral. Explore our sensory garden experience, open until tomorrow (Saturday 3 September).
Take home a part of The Wild Cathedral – 10:00am–3:00pm on Saturday 3 September, cash and card accepted. Any remaining plants will go towards a future project with Veterans Outreach Support.
Learn more about The Wild Cathedral here →
Late Nights at The Wild Cathedral
This evening is your final chance to explore the garden after dark, with light displays, a soundscape created in collaboration with folk artist Katie Spencer. Enjoy a drink and explore the Cathedral and sensory garden as it is transformed into a night time wonderland. Limited tickets available on the door.
Learn more and book online →
Dean Anthony around the diocese…
Chichester Literary Society
Dean Anthony will be giving a talk on Storytelling and the Devil with reference to Milton, C.S. Lewis and Philip Pullman, as the guest speaker at Chichester Literary Society on Wednesday 7th September 2:00-4:00pm at Boxgrove Priory. Guests welcome £7.00.
Learn more →
999 Day Flag Raising
Dean Anthony will be saying prayers at the annual Emergency Services 999 Day Flag Raising at Guildhall Square on Friday 9 September at 8:55am.
Read more →
Career opportunities
We are currently recruiting for several roles at the Cathedral, including our first ever Visitor Experience Manager, as well as two part-time Administrative Assistants. Please do share with your extended networks.
Find further information and apply from our careers page →
Communication Survey – let us know your thoughts…
Thanks to everyone who has already contributed to this survey, we have extended the date to contribute your feedback to Friday 9 September.
Read more →
Complete the Communications Survey →
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
Worship & 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.
Opening later for the rest of September
We’ve been so pleased to be able to keep the Cathedral open for longer during the summer, all made possible thanks to our wonderful volunteer and staff teams. We’ll be continuing to open later during September with our extended opening times available on our website.
#PompeySundays guest speaker this week
As part of our 'Caring for our World' series, for the Wild Cathedral, we are delighted to welcome Clare Seek, from Portsmouth Green Drinks, an environmental meeting place and networking group.
Read more →
Change to Saturday Services
From Saturday 3 September the main act of worship on Saturdays will be said Morning Prayer at 9:00am.
Taizé-style Evening Prayer Returns
Taizé-style services at Portsmouth Cathedral this autumn will be on Sunday evenings at 8:00pm from this Sunday (4 September.)
Read more and see dates →
Journeying with Christ - Sermon Series
The series of sermons by our Honorary Canons continues with Canon Judith Bee preaching at Choral Evensong this Sunday (4 September) at 5:45pm. Judith is an assistant priest at Buriton in the Petersfield Benefice.
The following sermon in the series will be given by Canon Peter Hall on Sunday 9 October at 5:45pm when the evening service will be a Eucharist (rather than Evensong). Peter is the Diocesan Director of Vocations and Ordinands.
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, Nina, 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: Anna Harriman, Rita Robinson, Cristina Ferretti, Patrick Symes (Cathedral Memorial Service 2.00pm Friday 12th September) and John Pengel (Cathedral Funeral 12.00pm Monday 12th September) 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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