A reflection from Revd Hannah

It is good for us to be here…

I wonder how many of us can honestly say the same? 

This Sunday is the feast of the Transfiguration. Within Luke’s Gospel, Peter says “Master, it is good for us to be here” as Jesus gloriously transforms before their eyes. The appearance of his face changes and his clothes become dazzling white. This interruption of light in the relentlessness of ordinary time is a welcome sight. In the Church calendar there has been much about growth, about treasure and earthiness in recent weeks, but this week we are interrupted by this blast of light. 

It is good for us to be here. 

So taken aback was Peter that he wanted to create three dwellings to keep Jesus there. Peter wanted to keep mountaintop experience right at his fingertips. I wonder whether the same can be said of us. How many of us want to keep the spark of light with us amid the monotony of life. 

It is good for us to be here. 

We are delighted that we have these amazing stories to tell during the Festival of Storytelling. What a treat to tell these stories though music and liturgy. 

This Sunday (6 August), as part of the programme there is a musical organ performance of ‘The Carnival of the Animals’ at 1:30-2:30pm, an enchanting voyage through Camille Saint-Saens’ whimsical orchestral suite, which includes the renowned “The Sawn”. Animals come to life in a symphony of sounds and words thanks to poetry and narrative from Michal Morpurgo’s book. 

So in the midst of this summer term, we continue to seek those blasts of light and life through Jesus and the stories he told, perhaps when life feels relentless and unyielding. 

A prayer from the Festival of Storytelling:

Lord Jesus, Master storyteller,
your parables captivated thousands who came to listen:
you invite us into a larger story 
beyond anything we can imagine or express.
Help us to discover that our individual stories find their meaning
in your eternal story
and our lives find truest fulfilment 
in your everlasting and abundant life.
Amen.

The Reverend Hannah Barraclough, 
Cathedral Curate

Community News

Festival of Storytelling – still so much more to enjoy!

 We’re over half-way through the Festival of Storytelling, and theres still so much to look forward to. This Saturday is the final opportunity to explore "The Curiosities of the Cathedral Library." An immersive adventure will transport you into a captivating realm where stories come to life through a magical blend of light, projection, and sound. Spaces for this popular after dark experience are limited, so people are encouraged to pre-book online to avoid disappointment!
 
Follow this on Sunday as part of our Music Day - enjoy 'The Carnival of the Animals', a spectacular Sunday afternoon event with renowned musician Brian Moles and former Head Chorister Sky Reader. Follow them on an enchanting voyage through Camille Saint-Saens' whimsical orchestral suite, which includes the renowned "The Swan." Animals come to life in a symphony of sounds and words, thanks to poetry and narrative from Michael Morpurgo's book.
 
Finally, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the weather, but it looks to be brightening up ready for our outdoor theatre performances of Sense and Sensibility, by Heartbreak Productions. Grab a picnic blanket, fold up chairs and get ready to step back into the classical world of Jane Austen.
 
The wider Festival of Storytelling has several events which are free to enter, alongside craft and activity sessions, art pieces created by local schools, and a Literary Map trail created by the University of Portsmouth.
 
For more information and to book tickets for selected event, please visit festivalofstorytelling.com.
  

Advisory: Exterior Scaffolding

 Last year scheduled maintenance of the South Nave exterior walls was delayed due the death of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and then the onset of colder weather. These works have now been rescheduled from 14 August until 15 September 2023, as part of these works, scaffolding will be erected on the southside of the Cathedral while both the lower and upper the Nave walls are repointed.
 
The work will not affect access to the building, and we apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused during these essential works. Projects such as these were identified by the 2021 Quinquennial Inspection of the building and are necessary to conserve our Cathedral building for generations to come. As always, projects such as these are made possible thanks to your continued support – thank you.
 
Learn more about supporting the Cathedral →
  

New Planters built by the Men in Sheds

 The eagle-eyed will have noticed even more planters have arrived (and will arrive over the next couple of weeks) thanks to the Men in Sheds led by Andy Pottinger. These planters are a great example of recycling material that would otherwise have gone to the dump or rotted away.  An important part of our commitment and care of God's planet. We also offer our continued thanks to Jo Godfree who tends to the planters even as more and more are added.  If you are interested in joining in and becoming a volunteer gardener, please get in touch with ourVolunteer Co-ordinator.
  

Summer exhibitions at Lambeth Palace Library

 The new Lambeth Palace Library is opening its doors for two exhibitions over the summer and early autumn.  If in London over the summer, the new library, completed in 2020, is worth a viewing itself whilst you take in one of these two exhibitions.
 
Moral and Material Decay: four centuries of the Court of Arches
This exhibition invites you to peer into the courtroom of the Province of Canterbury’s most senior ecclesiastical court. The records of the Court of Arches follow misbehaving clergy, watchful servants and members of the gentry with much to lose, as they battle their way through allegations of infidelity, defamation and wayward religious practices. This free exhibition runs until 20 October 2023.
 
Cantate Domino: Music in the Lambeth Palace Library collections
The exhibition features the Arundel Choirbook (one of the most important records of Tudor polyphonic music); Sion College’s illuminated York Breviary from the 15th century; and sermon notes pertinent to the composition of the hymn “Amazing Grace” (celebrating its 250th anniversary this year). The free exhibition runs until 18 September 2023.
 
About the Library
 Lambeth Palace Library, founded in 1610 and one of the earliest public libraries in the UK, has a purpose-built home for the first time, designed by Wright & Wright Architects. Completed in 2020, the new Library is a sensitive addition to the site of the Grade I listed Palace and is the first new building on the site for 185 years. The façade is designed in homage to the Tudor gate tower of the Palace and blends into the red brick perimeter wall of the gardens. Nestling amongst mature trees at the north end of the garden, the location preserves the collection’s historic link to the Palace, while increasing public access to the library.
  

Chapter News - Cathedrals Measure

 Chapter met in special session on Monday evening (31 July) and agreed the required documentation for submission to the Charity Commission. 
 
Later in the year there will be a formal 28-day consultation on the new Constitution and Statutes.  During this time there will be an opportunity for members of the community and others to hear more about the Cathedrals Measure. This will be followed by formal meetings of Chapter and Cathedral Council.  More about this in future Notices after the summer break.
 
These steps are part of the process, under the Cathedrals Measure 2021, by which the Cathedral will become a charity later this year with dual accountability to the Church Commissioners and the Charity Commission.
  

Welcoming Baby Lucas!

 Hannah and Sachin welcomed Lucas Gunga to the world this week He was born at 4:40pm on Thursday weighing just under 3kg (6lb 8oz). He and Hannah are still recovering, but they are very happy.
  

A message from Maria, Assistant Verger

 We are so grateful for everyone's kind words of congratulations, all the lovely individual cards, presents and the very generous gift has gone towards of our honeymoon. Thanks to you, as you are reading this Graham and I will be on a cruise to the Norwegian Fjords! See you all when we get back – Maria
  

Canon Jane Isaac RIP – Interment of Ashes

 Canon David hopes that friends, particularly those from the Cathedral Congregation will be able to attend the interment of Canon Jane’s ashes, which will take place after the 11:00am Eucharist on Sunday 6 August.
  

Reduced Notices during August

 Please note during August there will be a reduced schedule of Notices being published. Notices will only be published on the 6 (this week) and 27 August 2023. Normal weekly Notices return from the 27 August, keep an eye on our social media and website for any important updates.

Worship & visiting

Every day, Portsmouth Cathedral is open for worship, prayer, and visiting. Unless otherwise specified, services do not require booking. Our website contains orders of service as well as information about visiting the Cathedral.

Eucharist at #PompeySundays

 This Sunday, 6 August at 9:30am - #PompeySundays will be celebrating the Eucharist. The service, in which we share bread and wine in memory of Jesus’ death and resurrection, is short, simple, and informal, and all are welcome. We will be celebrating the Eucharist in this service on the first Sunday of each month from now on.

Prayers & Intercessions

We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community:  Edward, Margaret, Philip, Judith,  Hilary, Mathai, Nuno, Edward, Chris, Carol and all those in need.  
 
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including:  Joseph, Richard, Janet, Anne, Alistair, Yvonne, Renee, Beverley, Rachel, John, Graeme, Peter, Suzy, Sarah, Alison and Jill.
 
We remember those who have died: Canon Jane Isaac (burial of ashes after the 11am Eucharist Sunday 6 August), John Huffell 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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