A reflection from Canon Harriet

 
This past week, I have had some post-Easter days off. On one of the days, I visited Quarr Abbey on the Isle of Wight. Having not been there for about 30 years, I was delighted to find that it was just as I had remembered when I visited as a teenager: peaceful and calm but with a quiet sense of purpose and devotion.
 
The monks at Quarr are members of the Benedictine Order, and as such, they follow the Rule of St Benedict, a guide for monastic living, set down by Benedict in the 6thCentury. The rule is underpinned by three key values: Obedience, Stability and Faithfulness to Monastic Life.  These values shape the lives of monks and nuns who live in Benedictine communities, along with other aspects of the Rule, such as the priority and pattern of worship and liturgy, and the offering of hospitality to strangers. 
 
These principles also sit at the heart of parish and cathedral life in the Church of England (also formed by the Benedictine tradition) and are evident in the daily round of prayer and worship, and in the different ways in which churches and cathedrals seek to welcome the stranger, to name just two.
 
At Quarr, there is a large display detailing the daily schedule of a monk. Within each day, there is a balance between work and prayer – the saying ‘ora et labora’ (pray and work) has become a motto for the Benedictines – but their day includes also prayerful reading and rest.  In the Rule, Benedict takes Psalm 119 as a basis for the priority of prayer and worship – ‘seven times a day will I praise you’, says the Psalmist – and so the monks meet to pray at seven fixed points each day; the first, Vigils, at 5.30am and the last, Compline at 8pm.  You can see how this structure informs our own pattern of worship in the Cathedral.  Outside of monastic life, we have maintained Morning and Evening prayer, and also Compline, along with a daily celebration of the Eucharist. These fixed points keep us rooted in Christ, they provide a meeting point between God and his people, and they extend into all we do as God’s people in the world – caring for one another, showing hospitality, drawing others into the life of faith.
 
The day that I visited Quarr was a very wet one, and I arrived on my bike which meant I was soaked through. The hospitality provided by the tea shop was very welcome and as I enjoyed the hot food, I was struck by the variety of different people and groups that were visiting that day.  There were some families who had come to see the animals and visit the café; some hikers and people stopping off as part of a wider itinerary; and a group of young students who were obviously staying at Quarr on some kind of organised visit. There were lots of comings and goings from visitors as I sat in the church.
 
One might assume that the monks would be rather separate from the world’s problems, rarified in their unusual communal and contemplative life – and yet so many people are drawn to come and see them, to find out what it is that they do, and why they do it.  Their life is mysterious and inspiring, what is it that keeps them there, following the same pattern day in day out?  In the end, because they look to Christ in all that they do, and live and work to his praise and glory, they point others to look in that same direction.
 
In speaking of what it means to look to live like this, one of the monks writes:
 
‘We seek the face of Jesus. We run to meet him who is coming to us in the strength of his resurrection. We get up early, but he always beats us at it. He has already risen. He comes to find us in his word and in the sacrament of his love. And he sends us to one another to share with him in the struggles and in the victories of love.’
 
The Reverend Canon Harriet Neale-Stevens
Canon Chancellor and Vice Dean

This Weekend: Come and Sing... Easter Carol Service

 If you have a passion for singing, you won't want to miss our 'Come and Sing', where you can join a community of singers of all ages and levels in a wonderful setting.
 
You will have the opportunity to sing in the magnificent surroundings of Portsmouth Cathedral, with its splendid architecture and amazing acoustics. You will also benefit from the expertise of our Master of Choristers and Organist, David Price, who will teach you how to improve your vocal skills and musical expression. Each session will include a variety of English choral music, from familiar classics to new discoveries, covering different styles and periods.
 
Learn more and book online →
  

April Fool becomes a reality… Summer Celebration Saturday 1 June

 
Plans are coming together for our community wide Summer Celebration event on Saturday 1 June.  Turning our April Fool joke into reality is Em’s Friendly Farm and helping the children become animals will be face painter Steph from Fantazzy Face Painting
 
Raffle prizes are steadily coming in including a Framed A4 Print of Old Portsmouth (spice Island) at Sunset from Williamson Photography, Greek cold pressed Oil from Julie at Mama’s Olive Oil, an Arts & Crafts Hamper from Jenny at The Creation Station and much more… 
 
Running from 11:30am for 3 hours, the Summer Celebration will include live outside entertainment by Jazz & Easy-listening singer ‘Stacey Mogg’, BBQ, strawberries and cream, childrens activities, lots of cathedral lead stalls such as a ‘Douse the Dean’, raffle, bottle tombola, cupcakes, books, jigsaw, flowers etc as well as stalls lead by local charities and community groups.  
 
Want to get involved before or on the day? From painting to cupcake making, raffle ticket selling or prize gathering, event promotion and running a BBQ. If you have some time to spare before or on the day, please speak to Jude or Rachael. 
 
Thank you!

Congratualtions to former Curate, Hannah Barraclough!

We're thrilled to share some exciting news with you all! Former member of our Portsmouth Cathedral team, Revd. Hannah Barraclough, has recently accepted a new position as Associate Vicar at Tewkesbury Abbey.

As she embarks on this new chapter at Tewkesbury Abbey, we have no doubt that Hannah will continue to shine brightly, bringing Hannah’s unique blend of skills, compassion, and dedication to Hannah’s new role. Though we miss Hannah’s presence here at Portsmouth Cathedral, we couldn't be prouder of Hannah’s accomplishments and are excited to see the incredible work Hannah’s will undoubtedly undertake at Tewkesbury Abbey.

Please join us in congratulating Hannah on her new position and wishing her all the best in this exciting journey ahead!
  

News from our Choirs

 
We welcome our choirs back after their very short Easter break, a farewell and some congratulations.
 
We bid a sad farewell to Rajvir and Ranjini Sidhu on the appointment of the father as Vicar for the Pontypridd Ministry Area in the Diocese of Llandaff. We wish the twins all the best for their new home and to Rajiv and Freya on their move to the Land of Song.
 
Congratulations to Head Chorister Noah, and Server Olivia on being awarded places in the Junior Royal College of Music - this is a huge achievement and after an exhaustive national audition process.
  

Election of non-executive Chapter Member

 
An election of a non-executive member (trustee) of Chapter will take place in accordance with the Cathedral’s Statutes this spring. To be eligible to stand, candidates will need to be on the Electoral Roll, confirmed members of the Church of England or a church with which it is in communion, and eligible to be a charity trustee.
 
Nominations must be received by the Chief Operating Officer, as Presiding Officer, before 11:59pm on Sunday 14 April 2024 by email toelection@portsmouthcathedral.org.ukand be signed by two eligible nominees (on Electoral Roll) and the person nominated. Forms are available in the Cathedral or though the website. Elections will be held electronically between 26 April and 9 May.
 
All those on the Electoral Roll, Chapter and its committees should now have received notification of the election and nomination process via email (please check your Spam/junk email in case the email lands there).  If you have not received an email and think you are on the Electoral Roll email, please contact the Cathedral office or emailelection@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
 
The role description for elected non-executive Chapter members and information on how to nominate ishere.
 
The Cathedrals Statutes arehere.
 
If you have any questions, please speak with a member of the clergy or the churchwardens.
  

Revision of Electoral Roll

This year's Annual Parochial Church Meeting and Parish Meeting will take place on Sunday 12 May at 12.30pm. Revision of the Electoral Roll will take place between 31 March and 14 April. During this time, copies of the current Electoral Roll is available to view in the Cathedral and at the Cathedral Offices. Forms will also be available for new or returning members of the congregation to join/re-join the Electoral Roll.
 
The revised Electoral Roll will be published, as required, between 28 and 14 days before the APCM and Parish Meeting. Only those on the revised Electoral Roll will be entitled to vote in Elections and at the APCM.
 
The Electoral Roll, however, is more than just voting rights. It is also a tangible commitment of each person to their shared Christian stewardship within our Cathedral Community.
  

Finance Committee News

The Finance Committee meets on Monday to review the draft 2023 annual accounts prior to their presentation to Chapter on 25 April 2024 for approval.  These accounts are then presented to the APCM on 12 May 2024.
 
For those interested in matters constitutional, this will be the first meeting of the newly formed Finance Committee since the Cathedral became a registered charity on 12 March 2024.  Changes include:

• A change of name from the Finance and Investment Committee to just the Finance Committee, whist still retain responsibility for advising on investments;

• A clear responsibility to advise and review Risk and Audit where previously there was no mandate for this; and

• The Dean ceases to be a member of the Committee and now is only “in attendance.”. This is a common change required of all cathedrals under the Cathedrals Measure 2021.

 
Please find the agenda on ourdownloads page →
  

Volunteer Opportunity

 
As the weather warms, we are delighted to see the newness of life in all of God's beauty around us as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ. This may inspire us towards the practical aspects of renewing our own lives by spring cleaning our homes.
 
The 23,000 visitors and parishioners who have been through the Cathedral in the last year have bought with them particles of dust and fragments of dirt all of which need to be cleaned, swept, polished and dusted off. If it weren’t for the dedicated efforts of our volunteer team of 'Holy Dusters' (as they are known!) our Cathedral would not look as clean and welcoming as it does today or any day. Their valued efforts for just one hour a week keep the pews polished and the floors clean and we are so grateful to them!
 
If you have just one hour a week to spare to help our holy dusting team, please let Volunteer CoordinatorRachaelknow. They normally meet on a Monday morning but if that doesn’t suit you, let us know.
  

Join our team

Assistant Verger and Precincts Officer (Maternity Cover)

 
We now have a vacancy available via our careers page and CharityJob, for a full-time (up to 40 hours per week)  Assistant Verger and Precincts Officer through Charity Job.  The opportunity is to provide cover from June while our Head Verger and Precincts Manager, Malina, is on maternity leave.  Applications close on 6 May 2024.
 

Chapter

 
In late 2023, the Cathedral adopted a new governance structure under the Cathedrals Measure 2021 and will become a registered charity this month when all members of Chapter, the governing body, will become trustees. 
 
We are looking for new trustees, including a Senior Non-Executive Member (SNEM) and a Chair of Finance, who are willing to build on the commitment, enthusiasm and energy of current members who are nearing the end of their terms of office, and continue to broaden the diversity of thinking in Chapter.
 
While we are not looking for any specific skill set, successful candidates must be able to demonstrate that they have the experience and skills necessary for working at board level. 
 
For an informal discussion about these roles, please contact Dean Anthony or the Chief Operating Officer, Richard Abraham.
 
Closing date for applications 22 April 2024.
 
Learn more and apply online →

Prayers & Intercessions

We pray for: Alexander and Anna Harvey who were baptised here last Sunday. And Fredrikke Ralph-Troan who will be baptised next Sunday.

We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Duncan, Wendy, Jan, Chris, Aidan, Tom, Alison, Rosy, Richard, Catherine and all in need.

We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Muriel, Ann, Rachel, Suzy, John, Jill, Mathai, Philip, Alistair, Graeme and Janet.

We remember those who have died: Margaret Townson, Helga Higgins (Cathedral Memorial service on Monday 15th April at 12noon), Philip Hill (Cathedral Memorial service on Tuesday 16th April at 11am), Michael Cooper 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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