A reflection from Dean Anthony

As the European Football Championships begin, the England manager Gareth Southgate has written an open letter to the nation. He begins by acknowledging that in the context of the last year, football is unimportant, but also points out that it can sometimes unite and inspire.

You may already be feeling such a topic is not worthy of a Cathedral reflection. There is indeed part of the Christian tradition that is suspicious of leisure, games, and playfulness. Everyone knows of the 'Protestant work ethic', with its emphasis on work, and usefulness, and its distrust of leisure and festivity. Arguably this was both economically successful and evangelically disastrous. Religion that cuts out joyfulness and expressiveness, becomes not only unattractive, but also unfaithful to the God who wants us to live life in all its fullness. Cathedral participation in the Jerusalema dance, for example, shortly to be released as a video, was in one way just a bit of fun, but in another a celebration of community life and the sheer enjoyment of doing something together after a year of so much isolation.

You may remember the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, based on the stories of athletes competing in the 1924 Paris Olympics: in particular Harold Abrahams, a Jewish student at Cambridge determined to overcome prejudice through athletic prowess, and Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish missionary equally determined to glorify God by winning a gold medal. Another key character is the exuberant Lord Lindsay, whose training methods include bounding over a set of hurdles, aiming not to upset the glass of champagne balanced on each one.

Of these three, I want to offer special praise to Lord Lindsay. To me, he best symbolises a properly Christian approach to sport, in which sport is neither the be-all and end-all on the one hand, nor a waste of space and time on the other. For Lord Lindsay, running is a source of delight and joyousness, and even his training has a sense of play about it. And to be fair to Eric Liddell, I like the famous line where he says, ‘God made me fast, and when I run, I feel his pleasure.’ This speaks of sport not for proving a point, but as a gift that gives enjoyment. Sport as a symbol of God’s creative goodness and generosity, to be enjoyed and celebrated for what it is, but also kept firmly in perspective.

The European championships at their best will offer moments of grace, transcendence and international friendship. But they are not going to save the world. ‘Do not work for the food that perishes,’ said Jesus, ‘but for the food that endures to eternal life.’ When the competition is over, the ‘true bread from heaven’ will be as fresh as ever, encouraging us to live lives of joyful, playful, dependence upon God.

With my prayers and best wishes,

The Very Revd Dr. Anthony Cane
Dean of Portsmouth

Community News

Introducing the Portsmouth Cathedral Institute…

The Portsmouth Cathedral Institute aims to promote public debate and exploration of the most important questions of ethics, the common good and human flourishing as they relate to the City of Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight and south-east Hampshire.

We help the Cathedral fulfil its strategic aim to be an ‘outward looking community’ characterised by ‘partnership and engagement’ in ‘building a culture of social responsibility and contributing to the common good’.

Life after Covid:  Radical transformation or business as usual?

Our lives have been disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, but has the turbulence brought out the best in us or exposed our weaknesses? We have encountered angels. We will remember acts of kindness, professional devotion, and a sense of common purpose in finding our way through the challenges.

Join us at Portsmouth Cathedral with Dame Clare Moriarty and Sir Jonathan Montgomery on Saturday, 10 July to discuss how we can create a fairer future from our Covid experiences in the first of our Portsmouth Cathedral Institute events. Chaired by the Dean, we welcome those from across our city to join us and debate how we can create a fairer future from our experiences.

Speakers include...

Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery - co-chair of the Moral and Ethical Advisory Group in the Department of Health and Social Care about the challenges we have faced up to.

Dame Clare Moriarty - Chief Executive of Citizens Advice and formerly the first Faith and Belief Champion for the Civil Service, on the opportunities for us to reshape society for the better.

This free event is open to all, book a ticket online and join us on 10 July 2021. Find out more about the new Portsmouth Cathedral Institute and more events as they are announced on our website.

Recognising the Cathedral’s work during the Coronavirus pandemic

We are delighted to share the news that Portsmouth Cathedral has received a Certificate of Recognition from Portsmouth City Council in thanks for our work and service during the coronavirus pandemic. We are one of a group of individuals and community organisations who were nominated by members of the public to receive this award.

We are truly humbled by this recognition and would like to extend our thanks to all the volunteers, staff and ministry team who have really gone above and beyond to support people over the past 15 months.

Welcoming Cyclists from Chichester Cathedral - Saturday, 19 June

We are looking for volunteers to help welcome these pilgrim cyclists to the Cathedral on the evening of Saturday 19 June, from 4:30pm-5:30pm (time to be confirmed). We will have water bottles and high energy bars to give them along with a warm Portsmouth Cathedral welcome. If you are interested in volunteering to welcome these cyclists to our Cathedral, please email info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk

Records And Information Governance Vacancy

Thanks to funding from the Cathedral Sustainability Fund (CSF), the Cathedral is recruiting for one-year Records and Information Governance Consultant.

The holder of this new one-year post, 100% funded by the CSF, will join us at a critical time as we prepare to come under the oversight of the Charity Commission for the first time as part of the Cathedrals Measure 2021. As well as preparing us for our new governance responsibilities, the role will help the Cathedral to review how we capture, retain, use and delate records and data we hold. The successful candidate will help us to streamline how we manage records and data and become a “digital by default” organisation.

We are looking for a records management professional who will join a busy and eager team on a fixed term basis.

Visit our careers page to find out more; the deadline for applications is 27 June 2021.

Results of Elections

Churchwardens

At the recent Annual Meetings Sheila Picton was re-elected and Ronald Rabbetts elected to serve as our Churchwardens for the coming year. Our Churchwardens are also licensed as Lay Canons and Ronald will be installed during Choral Evensong on our Patronal Festival, Sunday 4th July. The delayed installations of Mary Makin, Chair of Finance and Investment Committee as a Lay Member of Chapter and of Richard Abraham, our Chief Operating Officer, as Chapter Clerk will take place at the same service.

Cathedral Council

Shirley Grayson-Smith and Nick Speller were both elected to serve as the congregations’ representatives on Cathedral Council

News from Chapter Meeting

Chapter met on Wednesday, 9 June. As we await the Government announcement on the 14 June regarding next steps of coming out of Covid restrictions, plans were reviewed for what might be possible after the 21 June 2021. Check next week’s Notices for more detail.

Chapter also noted the work being done in advance of our SCIE Safeguarding Audit on 22-24 June. Members continued to closely scrutinise income and expenditure as we approach the mid-point of the financial year.

SCIE Safeguarding Audit

As part of the Church of England’s commitment to good safeguarding practice, it has commissioned the Social Care Institute for Excellence to carry out independent safeguarding audits of every diocese and cathedral. Portsmouth Cathedral’s audit will be carried out over two and a half days on 22-24 June.

The audit will be a collaborative process, and we welcome it as an opportunity to review and improve our policies and provision in this vital area.

Remember the Dos and Don’ts for handling a safeguarding disclosure

Do…

• Remain calm, approachable and receptive

• Take it seriously

• Listen carefully, without interrupting

• Acknowledge you understand how difficult this may be

• Offer reassurance it is the right thing to tell someone

• Tell them what will happen next

• Make a written record of exactly what has been said and when

• Report

Don't

• Promise complete confidentiality

• Ask leading or probing questions

• Investigate

• Discuss with people who do not need to know

• Delay in reporting the disclosure to the Parish / Diocese Safeguarding Officers

If you, a member of your family, or a friend, have ever had a safeguarding response from the Cathedral, and would like to speak to our auditors, you can be given the opportunity to do so during the audit. If you are a survivor of abuse or consider yourself to be at risk of abuse, you are also welcome to request a conversation with the auditors, which would be held in advance of the audit. For further information, please contact Canon Kathryn or email SCIE directly: learningtogether@scie.org.uk

A reminder that the Chapter Safeguarding Lead is Canon Kathryn, and the Lay Safeguarding Lead is Marian Pottinger. Further details on safeguarding at the Cathedral can be found on our website Safeguarding pages.

Our Cathedral Curate – Catherine Edenborough

After nearly a year as our curate, Catherine will be ordained priest in the Cathedral on Saturday, 26 June at 4:00 pm, alongside fellow deacons from around the Diocese. Attendance at the service will be limited to invited guests only, but it will be livestreamed.

If you would like to contribute towards a gift for Catherine at this significant moment in her ministry, please send your donation, clearly marked ‘Catherine’, by bank transfer to Portsmouth Cathedral Chapter, sort code 309304 account no 01088158 or send a cheque payable to Portsmouth Cathedral, in a clearly marked envelope, via the donation boxes by 21 June.

Worship and Visiting the Cathedral

Portsmouth Cathedral is now fully open for prayer, services and visiting. Please continue to book for our Sunday Services online (limited spaces are available for those without a pre-booked space), regular weekday services do not need pre-booking. Most of our services are broadcast on our live page and Facebook. Find out more on our website and download orders of service.

We continue to take every precaution to reduce the spread of coronavirus, including the mandatory wearing of face masks, except for those with exemptions. Everyone visiting the Cathedral now needs to check in with the NHS Covid-19 app. Find out more on our Covid-19 information page.

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, Izzy, Michael, Stuart, Reuben, Linda, Mervyn, Beverley, Richard, Aaron, Muriel, Christopher, Jane, Phil, Alan and all those in need.

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

We pray for those who have died recently: Graham, and Norman Riches RIP.

Upcoming Services and Events

Sunday Refreshments via Zoom – Sunday, 6:30pm

Although restrictions for meeting each other are easing we continue to offer a weekly opportunity to catch up with other members of the congregation and ministry team.

Join us via Zoom

For security purposes Zoom links are sent out in our weekly email notices, sign up on our website here.

Lunchtime Live – 17 June, 1:10pm

Join us on Thursday where we will be joined by Cathedral Sub-Organist Sachin and his wife Hannah (soprano in Cathedral Consort) perform a programme of piano music, including works by Grieg, Poulenc and a duet for two pianos by Richard Rodney Bennett.

The recital is free; donations are welcome. Please note that no refreshments will be served at Lunchtime Live this term. Find more information or catch up online via the Lunchtime Live page.

Bible Discussion Group – Thursdays, 7:00pm

This week the group will look at 1 Samuel 13-15 inclusive. New members are always welcome: you do not need to have attended the group before.

Join us via Zoom

For security purposes Zoom links are sent out in our weekly email notices, sign up on our website here.