A Reflection from Dean Anthony

At this time of All Saints and All Souls our worship is full of remembrance and giving thanks.  Indeed I write this on the day of the funeral of Mavis Whitehead, who was so committed to our bell ringing ‘family’ that she carried on climbing the steep stairs to the Cathedral’s bell tower into her late eighties. 

As we mourned her passing in the serenity of the Cathedral, I found myself also remembering those who have suffered recent bereavements in the most horrible of circumstances, in Israel and Gaza.   Writing a reflection without mentioning this felt all wrong, and yet I am all too aware that anything said about the current conflict is often subject to scrutiny about which ‘side’ you are on.  Perhaps that is why some are now holding vigils for peace which are entirely silent. 
 
I recall a saying of the late Donald Nicholl, Rector of the Tantur Ecumenical Institute near Jerusalem, to the effect that anyone whose first response to a tragedy was ideological rather than humanitarian, should go on a cleansing pilgrimage.  From all that I have seen and heard, it seems apparent that a sense of trauma, pain and hopefulness is widely felt both in Israel and Gaza.  I am reminded also of the late Israeli novelist and peace activist Amos Oz, who described the Israel/Palestine conflict as infinitely more tragic than a situation of right vs wrong, seeing it rather as a clash of two peoples, each with right on their side, each with deep wounds, fated to share same geographical location.  
 
For those who have not yet seen it, I commend to you a statement from our own House of Bishops, which ends with a plea to unite ourselves with the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, Hosam Naoum, and Christian leaders in the Holy Land in calling for sustained and faithful prayer by all Christians for peace and justice. You can read the statement here.

Returning to Mavis Whitehead and her beloved bellringers, I am further reminded of the inscriptions on the Portsmouth Cathedral bells, some of which quote from a part of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s In Memoriam known as
‘Ring out, wild bells’: 
Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times…
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
 
With my prayers and good wishes,
 
Anthony Cane
Dean of Portsmouth

Community News

 Remembrance Services & Poppy Appeal

 
Our services for Remembrance can now be found on our website. Poppies are available, by donation, from the shop area. The Poppy Appeal is the Royal British Legion's biggest fundraising campaign held every year in November, during the period of Remembrance. See other ways you can support, on the Royal British Legion’s website.

Meet Dean Anthony - Cathedral Outward Giving

The latest in our series of informal opportunities to meet with Dean Anthony is on Wednesday 8 November at 1:00pm.  The session will include the opportunity to comment on the Cathedral’s Outward Giving 2024-2025 which Chapter, the Cathedral’s governing body, will be considering when it meets on 22 November.  More details here.

Congregational Lunch and Farewell To Hannah Barraclough

All are welcome to join us at a Congregational Lunch on Sunday 26 November.   To help avoid food waste, please let us know if you and your family are able to stay after the 11 o’clock Eucharist by clicking here or filling the form on the welcome desk.  All are welcome to share in this community focused occasion which will also provide an opportunity to say farewell to Hannah, one of our curates, who has become such a treasured member of our community.

Should you wish to make a contribution to Hannah’s leaving present– please either email accounts@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk to request bank details, then make a transfer using the reference ‘Hannah Leaving Gift’ or put a cash or cheque donation made out to “Portsmouth Cathedral” in a clearly marked envelope (same reference) and deliver it to the office.

Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral

The Autumn Newsletter from the Friends will be sent to members at the end of next week.  The mailing includes details of the first part of the 2024 programme of events for Friends and articles on the new look Council by the Acting Chair and a review of the recent event ‘Curiosities of the Cathedral Museum’.

The next events in this year’s programme are Choral Evensong followed by a tour of the Cathedral Nave on Tuesday 14 November and then a

Further information about the work and membership of the Friends is available here.

Christian Aid Israel Gaza Appeal

Donations towards Christian Aid's response to the conflict in Israel and Gaza can be made using the Christian Aid Emergency envelopes available in the Cathedral or through this link (please do not use the Cathedral Gift Aid envelopes). 

Safeguarding Sunday – 19 November

On Sunday 19 November, the Church of England marks Safeguarding Sunday. We are very pleased that Liz Hastings, Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor with particular responsibility for the Cathedral, will be with us at both Pompey Sundays and the Sung Eucharist. As well as joining us in our worship, Liz will be staying for coffee after both services to enable members of the congregation to chat with her and ask her any questions they may have.

Safeguarding is an integral part of all we do here at the Cathedral, and an intrinsic part of God's call to love our neighbours as ourselves. The Cathedral takes its responsibility to care for children, young people and vulnerable adults very seriously and their welfare is paramount.  Our Cathedral Chapter Safeguarding Lead is the Canon Chancellor, Harriet Neale-Stevens, and Harriet will also be present on Safeguarding Sunday to answer any questions you may have.

Our Safeguarding Policy and Policy Statements are available here.

Career Opportunity – Head of Fundraising

Underlining our commitment to grow in service to our Diocese, city and beyond while ensuring our long-term sustainability we are looking for an outstanding fundraiser with the drive, experience, skills and flair to build on the work of our previous Head of Fundraiser and transform the Cathedral’s income generation. 
Closing date for applications: 11:59pm Sunday 26 November
More details here.

Choral Evensong on BBC Radio 3

The Evensong for All Saints Day service at Portsmouth Cathedral was broadcast on BBC Radio 3 this Wednesday, and will be repeated on Sunday at 3:00pm. You can also listen online or via the BBC Sounds app here. David Price, Organist and Master of Choristers at Portsmouth Cathedral, has been the guest poster for the @OurCofELike account on X this week, and has shared some behind-the-scenes photos and thoughts from the service, click here to read.

Career Opportunity – Head of Fundraising

Underlining our commitment to grow in service to our Diocese, city and beyond while ensuring our long-term sustainability we are looking for an outstanding fundraiser with the drive, experience, skills and flair to build on the work of our previous Head of Fundraiser and transform the Cathedral’s income generation.   

Closing date for applications: 11:59pm Sunday 26 November
More details here 

Upcoming Cathedral Office closures

The Cathedral Offices will be closed on Thursday, 9 November 2023 from 12:30pm to 3:30pm to accommodate a pre-Advent/pre-Christmas staff lunch. (In last two years it has proved impossible to have this lunch in the run up to or post-Christmas, so we are trying something a little different this year).

The offices will also be closed all day on the 16 and 21 November 2023 to enable whole staff training days. 

The Cathedral will be open as normal.

Exterior Scaffolding

Scheduled maintenance of the South Nave exterior walls has now commenced. This will also afford the opportunity to make urgent repairs on the south-west corner of the lower Nave roof where there has been water ingress (even before this week’s storm).
 
Scaffolding has now been erected and will be in place probably into late November/early December while this essential work takes place. Work on the upper walls will take place next summer.
 
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 →

Kate Taylor RIP

We were saddened to learn this week of the death of Kate Taylor who many will remember from her time at the Cathedral.  All are welcome at her memorial service which will be held at St Mary’s Hayling Island on Monday 13 November at 2:30pm – donations to Cancer Research. 

Celebrate Advent & Christmas at Portsmouth Cathedral

 
Celebrate the spirit of Advent and Christmas at Portsmouth Cathedral with traditional services and joyous events that capture the essence of the season. Our choirs are ready to fill the air with melodies that echo the good news of Christmas.
 
Join us for a journey through the festive season with Christmas Carols, Midnight Mass, and Christmas Day services. Once again, we’re delighted to be live-streaming and offering BSL interpretation at selected services (dates tbc), ensuring everyone can be a part of our celebration.
 
Our Christmas programme includes the popular annual Cathedral Christmas Fair, the delightful Carols on the Green, our Christmas Gift Market brimming with unique finds from local creatives. Plus an exciting addition for this year – Festive Film Screenings featuring beloved classics including Elf, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and Home Alone – we’ll also have a free screening of the CBeebies Panto ‘Dick Wittington and his Cat’ for the little ones!
 
Beyond our festive services and events, Portsmouth Cathedral warmly welcomes you to join us for daily for worship, or to explore our Cathedrals rich heritage. You’ll also find wide selection of unique gifts and decorations at our Cathedral Christmas Shop, with every purchase contributing to the future of our Cathedral for generations to come.
 
Pick-up a programme today from the Cathedral or from outlets around the diocese. You can also find the full programme on our website.

Get Involved with our Christmas Fair!

Would you like to help our festive day of fun at the Christmas Fair run smoothly? We need volunteers to help with setup on Friday 8 December and to run a variety of stalls on Saturday 9 December. But there are lots of other ways you can help in this crucial fundraising event.
 
Read More →

Worship and 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.

Prayers and Intercessions

We give thanks: for the birth this week of baby Emmeline, granddaughter of Alex and Louisa. Congratulations to parents Annabel and Jack, and big sister Winifred!

We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community:  Philip, Ann, Myrna, Chris, Joan, Nuno, Judith, Tom, Philip, Mathai and all those in need.  

We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including:  Ian, Janet, Rachel, Graeme, John, Alistair, Renee, Richard, Suzy, Alison and Jill.

We remember those who have died:  Dawn Glover (Cathedral funeral 2pm Friday 17 November), Mavis Whitehead, Heather Greaves  RIP

 

 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 info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk or leave a message via phone on 023 9282 3300.

Have news or story you’d like to share? Submit a notice 📰