A reflection from Canon Jo

As we come to the end of the Church year we look towards the end of time. The Feast of Christ the King reminds us of the promise that, at the last, all things will be gathered up by Christ. In the face of earthly politics and oppression and violence, we have the assurance that Christ’s authority will in the end redress the faults and failures of all our human systems.
 
This is our curate Hannah’s last Sunday with us before she moves to Gloucester. We wish her and Molly every happiness in their future ministries, and we thank Hannah for all she has contributed here. She has brought energy, integrity and vitality to so much of what she has developed and initiated. Hannah has been with us for the past 18 months and has been significantly involved with pastoral care, Pompey Tots, our choristers and choirs, Taizé services and many other elements of Cathedral life.
 
Next Sunday we begin the adventure of Advent and start a new year, a new era. Our Advent Carol Service ‘From Darkness to Light’ at 5.45pm on Sunday 3rdDecember moves through the whole beautiful sacred space of our Cathedral. From a start in complete darkness through the kindling of successive clusters of candles, our Choirs process from West to East into the warmth and brightness of the whole Cathedral full of candlelight.
 
The journey of the Advent Carol service mirrors the journey of the Church year and of our lives: we move and grow from darkness to fulfilment, from uncertainty to understanding, from death into light and life.  We have an ending and a conclusion this weekend as we celebrate Christ the King: we have new horizons that lie ahead for us next weekend as Advent dawns.
 
Canon Jo Spreadbury

Community News

This Weekend: The Christmas Gift Market

Get ahead of the rush and dive into a festive world of unique treasures created by local makers and artisans. Find a diverse selection of gifts, from homemade crafts to artisanal treats.
 
Come along on Friday 24 November from 10am–5pm, or Saturday 25 November from 10am–7pm.  On Saturday 25 there will also be a very special visit from Em's Friendly Farm mobile farm, on the Cathedral Green from 11am–1pm!
 
See more details →
  

Parish Lunch Club Christmas Lunch & Spring dates

On Monday 12th December our Parish Lunch Club will be treated to an extra special Christmas meal including turkey, all the trimmings and even a glass of wine, at the final Lunch Club date for 2023. Rachael, Susan and Anna hope to run a raffle for Lunch Club members so if you can donate a raffle prize please let Rachael know. We look forward to seeing you there!
 
Please make a note of the spring Parish Lunch Club dates:

• 15 Jan 2024

• 29 Jan 2024

• 19 Feb 2024

• 4 March 2024

• 18 March 2024

Starts next week – Advent Course: Preparing for the revolution!

Anne Wright, Carole King and the Revd Catherine Edenborough invite you to explore the idea of Advent as preparing for the revolution by looking at the song of Mary and other poetry in a variety of ways.
 
Read more & watch interview →
  

Plans for the Cathedral Christmas Fair are in full swing!

We have some fabulous prizes up for grabs in the Christmas Fair raffle including a Sunday Carvery for two in Horatio’s Restaurant at the Royal Maritime Hotel, a beautiful teatime hamper, two adult annual tickets for the Historic Dockyard, Camber Wines wine tasting for 6, signed Portsmouth Football Club home shirt, and much more! Raffle tickets are now available from the Cathedral Shop, and plans for the fair will be displayed on the first ambulatory board from Sunday.
 
Read more →
  

Christmas Fair Lunch Pre-Order

The Portsmouth Cathedral Choir Association will once again be providing delicious food in Becket Hall during the Christmas Fair on Saturday 9 December. To help us, some meals will only be available if you have pre-ordered.
 
See menu and pre-order online →
  

Christmas Nativity Trail from 1–20 December

A Nativity Trail will be available at Portsmouth Cathedral during December. Come and explore the story of the Nativity, whilst taking the opportunity to reflect with Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Angels (and the three Magi might be putting in an appearance as well!) as they start their journey towards Christmas.
  

Cathedral Advent Calendar

From 1 December to Christmas Day, an Advent Calendar door displayed in the ambulatory will be opened to reveal a prayer, poem, reflection or drawing to guide us through Advent, illustrating ideas and images of Jesus - and the ways Christ came, and comes to us still. With contributions from many in our Cathedral family and Cathedral communities. Do come along and enjoy each day!
  

‘Comfort and Joy’ sharing some love at Christmas

Each year we hear of how much this simple scheme means to those who receive the gift cards and greeting and how precious they are. In a time of increasing worries and concerns about finance, food, fuel and wellbeing we hope to be able to share this precious gift and greeting with as many as we can.
 
Read more and learn how you can donate →
  

Former Cathedral Choral Scholar Gabriel Vick in West End Show

Former Choir member, Gabriel Vick has landed the starring role in new West End production of Mrs Doubtfire, The Musical! Many of our cathedral community will remember former Tenor Choral Scholar, Gabriel Vick has landed the leading role of Mrs Doubtfire which has just opened in London West End. Gabriel was Choral Scholar and Drama Gapper at Portsmouth Grammar School 2001-2002.
 
Book your tickets now →
  

Let’s call for climate justice around the world - Saturday 9 December

The hottest summer on record. Politicians backtracking on climate commitments. Continued corporate profiteering fuelling the climate and cost of living crises. It’s time for us to take action. As world leaders gather for the UN’s climate negotiations at COP28, a climate summit presided over by an oil executive, we’re coming together on 9 December to demand climate justice.
 
Assemble & rally by the D-Day Museum, Southsea, 12-1pm, march to Palmerston Road, Southsea, 1-2pm.
 
Sue Ward – Climate Champion
  

Cathedrals Measure

On Wednesday evening, Chapter agreed schemes of delegation, terms of reference for committees and policies required for ‘Certificate Date 1’, the date when the Cathedra’s new Constitution and Statutes come into effect. The  Cathedral will come under the joint jurisdiction of the Charity Commission and Church Commissioners and members of Chapter members will become trustees for the first time,
  

Chapter News

On Wednesday evening, Chapter agreed the 2024 budget. Spending was set at £1.24million with a projected deficit of £129,000, but that figure includes an effective £45,000 contingency to enable the Cathedral to respond effectively during these inflationary times – so a deficit, without the contingency, of £84,000. As in previous years it is anticipated that through tight financial management, the deficit will fall within the year.
 
Read more online →

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.

Prayers & Intercessions

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

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

We remember those who have died: Oonagh Knight (Cathedral funeral, Thursday 14 December - 2pm), David Sands, Nick Robertson, Katie Hounsell-Robert, Kathleen Davies (Cathedral funeral Thursday 7 December - 1pm), Dawn Glover, Mavis Whitehead, Valerie Moullin 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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