Weekly Notices | 12 May 2024
A reflection from David Price
Last night (Thursday) at the chorister rehearsal prepping for our Ascension Day Service, I was discussing some of the symbolism involved in The Ascension of Our Lord. ‘What was he doing for forty days after The Resurrection?’ was an inevitable and excellent question! We don’t get many answers in the gospels, just a few snippets about meeting, teaching and eating. How do we echo these things in our own life as a Christian community? Canon Harriet challenged us on this a few times in recent sermons.
Much of what the choir is up to over the next few weeks is an out-working of all this as we seek to share the good news with multiple sets of people.
This Sunday, the Girl Choristers and Back Row head off, after the APCM, to sing Evensong at the southernmost church in our diocese, St John’s Niton. An advantage of our choir model here is that the Boy Choristers will sing Evensong for us at 5.45pm whilst the rest of the team are taking the cathedral out into our diocese. And then our Cathedral Sing Team will take the choir over again to the IoW for the end of sessions of work at schools in Newport and Carisbrooke.
Thanks to a generous sponsor, we are able to fund the recording of a CD for Regent Records in May and June. As part of a long series of recordings from multiple cathedrals, it will showcase repertoire across ‘A Year in Portsmouth’ and be released next term. Of course, there is no shortage of varied and interesting music associated with key annual events in Portsmouth that we help mark at services and concerts, alongside the liturgical pattern – more than many other cathedrals I suggest. Indeed, straight after Half Term we shall be playing our full part in the 80th anniversary of commemorations of D-Day as a cathedral and choir from live BBC Radio 4 Sunday Morning programme on 2 June as well as major memorial events in Southsea later in the week.
So overthe next forty days of the choir term there is lots in store in addition to our regular round of daily services. Join us if you can.
David Price
Organist and Master of the Choristers
Christian Aid Week begins on 12th May!
Portsmouth Cathedral has always shown generous support for the world's poorest in Christian Aid Week and now the needs are greater than ever due to climate change and the cost-of-living crisis. Please help us achieve our £2500+ target by holding a gathering of friends and family, small or large, in your home if you can.
Packs are available with envelopes, a quiz, a badge, and an inspiring example of CA's work. If that's not possible for you, please give as generously as you can and take a few envelopes for your family and friends too! Every pound makes a big difference.
There is a film to show Aline's story in the resources on the Christian Aid Week 24 website and you can donate online here.
Thank you!
Carole and Sue
Revision of Electoral Roll and Annual Parochial Church Meeting
The revised version of the Electoral Roll, and names removed from the Roll are now on display in the Cathedral or in the Cathedral Offices.
This year's Annual Parochial Church Meeting and Parish Meeting will take place on Sunday 12 May at 12.30pm. The APCM will include the presentation of the 2023 accounts. The agenda for the meeting, the 2023 accounts and Minutes of last year’s meeting can be found on our downloads page here. A small number of paper copies are available in the Welcome Area.
Apologies for meetings can be sent to info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk.
The annual election of churchwardens will take place during the Parish Meeting. Nomination forms are available from the Cathedral Welcome area and also from our website.
City Service Eucharist - 19 May at 11am
On the Feast of Pentecost, our new Lord Mayor and members of the Portsmouth City Council will attend the annual City Service featuring special music and prayers at the start of their year of office. We will pray for them, and ask the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit through the year ahead.
Half Term Family Activities- 28 and 29 May
Come and explore The Cathedral of the Sea with our fish and sea themed activities. Follow our trail to find out how many fish are hiding in the Cathedral. Make a clay fish to take-home. Drop-in, no booking needed.
See times and learn more →
National Fishing Remembrance Day – 12 May
National Fishing Remembrance Day on Sunday, 12 May 2024 is a day for reflection and commemoration of all those who have lost their lives while working in fishing in the UK.
It is an opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers of fishing as a profession to a wider audience and to remember those who have lost their lives at sea. For those living and working in local fishing communities it is hoped that this will become an annual focal point for remembrance and connection with the national fishing industry. This period of remembrance will also provide an opportunity to focus on initiatives aimed at improving safety in commercial fishing.
Maritime welfare charities have joined together to commemorate this day throughout the UK. The Fishermen’s Mission and Stella Maris will have a programme of local events at fishing ports around the country on Sunday 12 May 2024. Canon Harriet will be attending the Portsmouth remembrance event at 12pm.
Learn more and see details →
Summer Celebration Saturday 1 June – raffle tickets on sale!
Without donations for stalls and raffle ticket sales our Summer Celebration will not be able to raise much needed funds to support the mission and work of our Cathedral Church. Please drop off your donations to the Cloister from Monday 27th May. Or grab some raffles tickets to sell…
Donations of fiction books and children’s books, jigsaws for any age, cakes & cupcakes etc, bottles of spirits, wine and fizz, new toiletries, and other items for the Brick-a-brack stall. Items for stalls will be collected in the boxes in the cloister, except for, cakes on the day please and alcoholic donations need to be kept secure so please pass to the cathedral offices or a verger for my attention.
Don’t forget that the raffle tickets are on sale in the shop. The shop also has envelopes of raffle tickets for you to sell to family and friends so please grab one. We have plenty of amazing and some unusual prizes up for grabs:
1st Prize: £100 Paultons Park gift card
2nd Prize: Golden Lion 3 course meal voucher for 2
3rd Prize: Williamson's Photography framed print
And much more… Tennis and Paddle Boarding lessons, a family ticket to Exploria, 2 Tickets for Fontwell Race Course, a voucher for a 2-night Family Camping Stay at Fairthorne Manor, Odean Cinema tickets, a Signed Portsmouth Football Club Home Shirt, limited edition print from I can See the Sea, Silver & Serenity Crystal necklace by Twinkly Bits, Arts & Crafts Hamper from The Creation Station, Mammas Greek Olive Oil, Jo Malone Candle from LMB Cosmetics, Neal’s Yard goods, Mumma B’s organic products and a Fudging Fabulous selection box to name but a few, we've even got Man’s Best friend the perfect prize with a bag of homemade dog treats and a £20 gift voucher for Bark Bakery!
Please let me know if you can help at the Summer Celebration on Saturday 1st June email rachael.forder@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
It's back… Seafood on the Green!
Join us for an unforgettable experience for seafood lovers, with a variety of locally sourced dishes. Proceeds supporting the Portsmouth Cathedral Choir Association.
Taking place on the picturesque green at Portsmouth Cathedral, providing a stunning backdrop for the foodie festivities, take the opportunity to enjoy freshly prepared dishes, including seafood platters, pâtés and delicious desserts. There is something for everyone!
Whether you're a seafood aficionado or simply curious about trying something new, Seafood on the Green is the perfect opportunity to discover the unique flavours of the sea. All profits from the event go towards supporting the Portsmouth Cathedral Choir Association, so you can indulge in delicious food while supporting a worthy cause.
It's the perfect way to spend a summer day, don't miss out on this opportunity to experience one of the highlights of Portsmouth's foodie calendar. For more information, please visit our website at portsmouthcathedral.org.uk. If you have already decided to come this year then please fill in our expression of interest form and help us reduce food waste.
Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral
Members of the Friends are particularly invited to attend Choral Evensong on Tuesday 14 May.
Everyone is warmly invited to the Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral Relaunch on Tuesday 11th June hosted by Bishop Jonathan and the Lord-Lieutenants of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. There will be an opportunity to meet the new members of the Friends Council and learn about the Friends and how it supports the Cathedral. More details from friends@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk.
Prayers & Intercessions
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Peter, Tom, Andrew, Chris, Aidan, Alison, Rosy, Richard, Wendy, Jan, Catherine, Bevan and all in need.
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Muriel, Rachel, John, Suzy, Jill, Mathai, Philip, Alistair and Graeme.
We remember those who have died: Peter Reeve (Cathedral funeral Monday 3 June at 2:30pm), Janet Kent, Derek Hall (Cathedral funeral Tuesday 21 May at 11:30am), Marilyn Billingham, Joan Lowe (Cathedral funeral Friday 17 May at 3pm), Margaret Townson (Cathedral funeral Tuesday 14 May at 1:45pm), Graham Lloyd, Margaret Purnell (Cathedral funeral Friday 7 June at 11am), Margaret Sherwin, Maurice Easton, Peter Matthews, Theodore Whelan 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 info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk or leave a message via phone on 023 9282 3300.
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