A reflection from Dean Anthony

If you could ask God just one question, what would it be? And if God were to do the same to you?

On my shelves I have a highly unusual book called The Interrogative Mood – a novel? Written by Padgett Powell from the University of Florida, it consists entirely of questions. Although I found it a little bizarre, it held my attention, made me think, and even laugh. Here is how it begins:

Are your emotions pure? Are your nerves adjustable? How do you stand in relation to the potato? Should it still be Constantinople?

If you think these questions are odd, how about the following:

Do two walk together unless they have an appointment? Does a lion roar in the forest, when it has no prey? Do horses run on rocks? Does one plough the sea with oxen?

These are taken from the Old Testament book of Amos (3.3-4 and 6.12) and are just a few of the hundreds and hundreds of questions that fill the pages of the Bible. Powell’s book makes me wonder if we underestimate the significance of this ‘interrogative’ aspect of Holy Scripture. In the book of Genesis, for example, God asks two powerful questions of the first human beings: ‘where are you?’ and ‘where is your brother?’ I remember a sermon of Rowan Williams in which he invited us to imagine God asking us these same two questions, again and again, until the end of time, for ‘we shall only truly find who we are when we are with our brother and sister… answerable for their lives before God.’

The thought that we are answerable before God for the lives of our brothers and sisters – who include those recently evacuated from Kabul, as well as those in our community who are homeless – is really challenging. Some, looking at the suffering in Afghanistan, or remembering the events of 9/11 in New York, twenty years ago, or contemplating the present and future impact of climate change, might want to evade the challenge by asking God a single question, ‘What are you doing about it?’ The chastening thought is that God might legitimately ask of us exactly the same thing.

With my prayers and best wishes,

The Very Reverend Dr Anthony Cane,
Dean of Portsmouth

Enjoy a taste of Portsmouth at Heritage Open Days 2021

Portsmouth Cathedral is joining hundreds of locations opening their doors as part of Heritage Open Days (HODs), which launches nationally today! England’s largest festival of history and culture returns this September, with a whole host of things to see and do from family activities to evening experiences, this year's programme has something for everyone and it’s all free!

This year’s programme offers a recipe for discovery: the festival’s theme is Edible England. From woodland foraging to factory floors, forgotten recipes to regional delicacies, the HODs festival community will explore the past, present, and future of England’s culinary heritage and culture. Portsmouth was once the entry port for many new tastes and flavours, from tea to oranges.

Portsmouth Cathedral will be open daily during HODs with special exhibition materials relating to Portsmouth’s ‘foodie’ past, including a special ‘Taste of Portsmouth’ self-guided tour you can explore on your phone! Join one of our free guided tours to uncover more of our history, with extra tours added over the weekend (18/19 September).

Find out more about Heritage Open Days on our website and book a tour online.

Day of Prayer for our Diocesan Vision

On 8 September, a Day of Prayer for our diocese’s Live Pray Serve vision is being held at St. Mary's, Fratton, where you can join Morning Prayer at 9:00am, and a sung Eucharist at 7:00pm, or pop in during the day to pray at prayer stations around the building. If you can't make it to St. Mary's, both services will be streamed via the parish'sYouTube channel and shared on the diocese's Facebook page.

If you would like some prayer resources to help you join in from home, both on the day and during the week, you can find them on the Diocesan website, and there is a reminder of our diocesan vision here.

In Tune With Heaven: An Evening with Catherine Bott and David Price – 29 September, 6:45pm

Portsmouth Cathedral is delighted to present In Tune With Heaven: An Evening with Catherine Bott and David Price. Join us in the beautiful and historic surroundings of Portsmouth Cathedral’s nave for this very special event with renowned soprano and broadcaster Catherine Bott as she interviews Portsmouth Cathedral’s Organist and Master of Choristers David Price about his passion for music and career as an organist and choral director.

The evening will mark David’s 25th anniversary at Portsmouth Cathedral and all proceeds will support the Cathedral’s new fundraising campaign – Sing Joyfully – which aims to raise the funds for our choirs to flourish over the next 25 years and beyond.

Tickets include a glass of wine or soft drink and doors open from 6:45pm with the conversation beginning at 7:15pm. The event will conclude by 8:30pm.

Find out more and book online

Recruitment underway for two vital posts

Portsmouth Cathedral has secured an additional a three-year grant from the Cathedral Sustainability Fund, for fully funding a new post of Visitor Experience and Volunteer Manager. We are pleased to welcome this much-needed grant to enhance our visitor experience offer and to support the work of our volunteers. With work already underway in this area, including new visitor apps and tours, the new post-holder will be charged with further improving our visitor experience, and will work with colleagues at other local heritage sites to raise the profile of the Cathedral as a visitor destination. They will also work with Canon Kathryn to support the work of our volunteers.
Find out more and download an application pack.

Also, thanks to funding from the Cathedral Sustainability Fund (CSF), the Cathedral is recruiting for one-year Records and Information Governance Consultant. We are looking for a records management professional who will join a busy and eager team on a fixed term basis.

The application deadline for both posts is 26 September 2021, find out more about both of these roles on our website.

Climate Sunday

This Sunday has been designated Climate Sunday and we are focussing on the issue of climate change at our Choral Evensong service. The recent IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report has concluded that it is human activity that has without any doubt caused unprecedented change to the climate across the world and that there is very little time to act to avoid heating above 1.5 degrees across our precious planet.

Already many poorer countries are feeling the effects on their livelihoods; the temperature of seas has accelerated ice melt so that sea levels have risen by 20cm, and we have seen extreme weather events are across the globe.

It is all too easy to feel helpless and succumb to ‘climate anxiety’, to blame other more powerful nations for their lack of action and hand over responsibility to our leaders. But there are things we can and must do to show our commitment to the welfare of humankind and to our responsibility for the care of God’s creation. One is to be aware of and change our own actions, e.g., our over-consumption and waste, our use of fossil fuels and plastics, our food choices.

Another is to demand action by local and national government to move to green policies more quickly. COP 26 will take place in Glasgow in November. We must demand the strongest possible measures to be agreed and carried out by world leaders at that conference. Time is running out, but it is not too late and everyone’s efforts matter.

Our Cathedral’s determination to earn an A Rocha Eco Church Silver Award is part of our response. Look out for more information on this, and all can play some part in achieving the Silver Award. Feel free to talk to me if you would like to be more involved.

Sue Ward
Cathedral Climate Champion

On your bike for Ride and Stride! – Saturday 11 September

Portsmouth Cathedral will once again be welcoming Riders and Striders for the annual event in aid of Hampshire and the Islands Historic Churches Trust.

We also hope to put together a team of Riders and Striders to support the Trust through sponsorship as they visit other churches in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight that day. 50% of the sponsorship raised is returned to your nominated church so your participation can also help the Cathedral.

If you would be interested in taking part please contact our Cycling Champion, Hannah Gunga, through info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk.

Light bulbs, but no light – how come?

Some sharp-eyed people have queried that we appear to have many bulbs in our lighting system that are blown and not being replaced. Why is this? The fact is that our lighting system is now quite an old system and one designed to use halogen bulbs.

Many sockets are broken and will only hold bulbs, but without power getting through to them. Given the age of the system a piecemeal replacement is not cost-effective. In early 2020, we mapped the light bulbs in the Cathedral, so we now know which sockets work and which do not. The vergers monitor this and when bulbs in functioning sockets have blown, these are replaced. Each time this is done, more sockets are found to be no longer functional.

Additionally, as of 1 October 2021, Government regulations will change, and the sale of halogen bulbs will then be banned. While we are adding LED lights to the system where the sockets still function, our dimmer system is designed for halogen bulbs so it will not work as well as before.

We are currently undertaking our scheduled quinquennial inspection. The need to replace/update the lighting system will feature as one of the items that need attention over the next five years. A replacement system (with 100% functioning bulbs) will likely cost in excess of £100,000. The overall estimated repair bill for the Cathedral remains at over £2million - even before we start this quinquennial inspection - and this far outstrips our available funds.

If you would like more information about this, the quinquennial or the general fabric of the Cathedral please contact our Chapter Clerk, Richard. You can also find out more about the Cathedral's Carbon Footprint on our website.

Initiation to the Institution and Induction of the Reverend Dagmar Wilkinson

The Churchwardens of St John the Evangelist are delighted share that the Revd Dagmar Wilkinson has been appointed as the next rector of St John the Evangelist in the Parish of Friern Barnet.

All are warmly invited to join us for Revd Dagmar’s Institution and Induction on Wednesday, 8th September at 7:00pm. Drinks and a light buffet will be served in the Parish Centre immediately following the service. If you wish to attend, please RSVP to the Churchwardens, John Kuti and Helen Edwards at the following email address: wardens@stjohnschurchfriernbarnet.org

Sunday Refreshments

We are hoping to resume the serving of refreshments after the 11 am Eucharist on Sundays from 19 September. Sue Ward has very kindly agreed to co-ordinate this and would be glad to hear from anyone who would be willing to be on the rota; please contact her to volunteer or find out more.

Foodbank Donations 

The Cathedral is home to a foodbank collection point for the Roberts Centre. Donations of food and toiletries are particularly needed at the moment and greatly appreciated by those using the service. See what items are most needed on our website.

Finance and Investment Committee (FIC) meets

FIC will meet on Thursday afternoon, 9 September, to review the proposed 2022 budget prior to Chapter meeting on 15 September.

The Friends Council meets

A regular meeting of the Friends Council takes place on Thursday morning, 9 September.

Worship and Visiting

New pattern of service times

From Monday 6 September, as we continue to emerge from Covid restrictions, the timings of our services are returning to a pattern close to our pre-Covid rhythm of prayer and worship.

• From Monday, Morning Prayer will be said by the ministry team each Monday to Friday in the Cathedral, and livestreamed at 8:00am, followed by a Eucharist at 8:30am, only in the Cathedral (not livestreamed).

• The Midday Eucharist which was introduced during Covid will no longer take place daily, but will be retained on Wednesdays (not livestreamed).

• Evening Prayer (not livestreamed) and Evensong (livestreamed) will be at the new time of 5:45pm from Friday, both services will be from the Cathedral.

Find out more on our website and download orders of service.

We continue to take every precaution to reduce the spread of coronavirus, including encouraging the wearing of face-coverings, checking in with the NHS Covid-19 app and remaining at a safe distance from other groups.

Find out more on our Covid-19 information page.

Annual Service for Seafarers

We look forward to welcoming the Lord Mayor and Councillors at this year’s Annual Service for Seafarers which is being held slightly earlier in the year on Sunday 12th September at 11:15am. Timings of 8:00am Holy Communion and 9:30am Pompey Sundays are unaffected, the Eucharist will be celebrated at 5:45pm instead of Choral Evensong.

Booking for this service will be available shortly.

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: Trevor, Derek, Clare, Mervyn, Beverley, Richard, Aaron, Jane, Alan, Libby, Jennifer, Lesley, Hilary and all those in need.

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

We pray for those who have died recently: Duncan Walters, Joe Nicol, Chris Ahern and Sharon Farrand RIP.

Upcoming Services & Events

Black Lives Matter Portrait Exhibition | Open daily until 17 September

Portsmouth Cathedral are honoured to be working with local photographer Charlotte Griffiths as she debuts her new exhibition inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement.

The exhibition combines Charlotte’s expert portrait photography, alongside the stories and experiences of black women and children in Portsmouth. A series of 10 portraits line the Nave of Portsmouth Cathedral, bringing together the struggles, triumphs, pain and happiness experienced by those involved.

Find out more

Alice Hume: A conversation: Interactive Weaves in the City | 4 September, 2:30pm

Join Textile Artist Alice Hume, Dr Carol Ekinsmyth from University of Portsmouth and Nettle Textile Artist Allan Brown as they discuss topics on community, sustainability and the Interactive Weaves Project. The conversation will be hosted by Lynne Dick from John Hansard Gallery.

Find out more and book online

Lunchtime Live: Ivory Duo | 16 September, 1:10pm

Delight in our weekly recitals live at the Cathedral, featuring members of the Cathedral Music Department, and some special guest artists. Our autumn recital series opens with the Ivory Duo Piano Ensemble. These are two pianists with extensive performing credits, who have collaborated with a number of other instrumentalists and composers, and are due to release a new album soon.

Find out more

Portsmouth Cathedral Institute: Life After Covid: Radical transformation or business as usual? | 11 September, 10:00am–3:30pm

Join us for this day conference to explore how to draw lessons from our experience and shape the future that we want before us.

As well as sharing our concerns and aspirations, we will hear from people who have engaged with the pandemic in their work locally.

Find out more and book online

Heritage Open Days 2021 Tours | 18–19 September

Portsmouth Cathedral is joining hundreds of locations opening their doors as part of Heritage Open Days (HODs), which launches nationally today! With a series of free tours and digital content you can explore on your phone from 10 September.

Find out more and book online

PCCA: Harvest Celebration Barn Dance | 18 September, 6:30pm

The Portsmouth Cathedral Choir Association is delighted to announce the return of our Harvest Celebration Barn Dance. Bar & Snacks available. We plan to hold a raffle at this event, donations to which would be gratefully received, please email Rachael, if you would like to contribute to this.

Find out more and book online

Alice Hume: Interactive Weaves Exhibition | Daily from 21 September until 7 October

An exhibition of the of interactive community weaves created over the summer in collaboration with the Hotwalls Studios Artists to share skills, raise awareness of sustainable materials and build culture and community in Old Portsmouth.

Find out more

Halabja in the Golden Days | Daily from 14 October until 3 November

Before it was the target of a devastating chemical weapons attack by the Iraqi Army in 1988, Halabja was, Halabja was renowned for its beauty and culture. Gulan and its associates have conducted interviews to create a series of articles on the city’s art, theatre, music and sports. Together with essays on Halabja’s history, poetry and costumes, these were published in magazine format as part of the Journeys Festival International in 2020.

Gulan is now turning this material, together with new artworks by Kurdish artists, into an exhibition in Portsmouth Cathedral. The exhibition will also include a major new artwork commission to be installed in the cathedral nave. This event is part of the Journeys Festival 2021.

Find out more

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.