A reflection from David Price

I never met my maternal grandfather though I think I know him well. He bought a violin and a piano before buying any furniture for his new wife and their new house after their wedding in 1928. By the time war arrived in 1939 he was too old to be called up for service; nevertheless he joined the Royal Air Force Reserve and worked for Air Chief Marshal Trafford Leigh Mallory up at Southwick House and in Hertfordshire.

By November 1944 Leigh Mallory had been appointed as Supreme Allied Commander Asia. Next week it will be the seventy-seventh anniversary of their departure from RAF Northolt in North London en route to Ceylon in the Far East. Appalling weather, four inches of ice on the aircraft’s windows and wings as well as minus twenty degrees in the cockpit meant they crashed in the French Alps and ten souls were lost. Families were shattered and children lost parents. The event was unexpected, abrupt, life stories left incomplete.

This is but one reason for me why Remembrance is so important. Short shrift was given by my seventeen-year old self in my first job as a Church Organist, when my Vicar and Director of Music attempted to suggest to me that Remembrance Sunday was an archaic nod to Armistice, days of Empire and Train Timetables (see famous First World War historian A J P Taylor suggested that the Great War became the inevitable consequence of the mechanisation of warfare and all the railway supply chains necessitated by it).

This coming week we will make several acts of recollection. On Thursday we will welcome members of Portsmouth Grammar Junior School; at Evensong our Girl Choristers will sing a moving anthem that sets the words of Binyon’s iconic poem. Saturday will see musicians from PGS will stage their annual moving Remembrance Concert and at 10:50am on Remembrance Sunday, we make our corporate Act of Remembrance along with countless others across the nation and Commonwealth.

All this is done in honour of the Fallen and those left behind. We remember for three reasons: to thank those gone before for their sacrifice; we remember that we might not repeat the mistakes of previous generations; and we remember that we might seize our moment in history, to live life to the full.

Portsmouth Cathedral at the heart of Christmas this festive season

In 2020, many experienced a Christmas where so many of the ways we traditionally mark the season were denied. This year, Portsmouth Cathedral welcomes all to celebrate this extraordinary time of the year, from heart-warming events to traditional carol services.

All are invited to all to discover or rediscover the good news the Christmas season celebrates, and Portsmouth Cathedral will be at the heart of Christmas this festive season. The Cathedral’s choirs will once again be uplifting spirits with joyful music throughout the Christmas period, with services continuing to be safe and comfortable for all to join. Selected services including carols, crib services and Midnight Mass will also be available to stream online, letting you join in the celebration and worship easily from home.

We want to ensure everyone feels as safe and comfortable as possible when joining us, so we’ll once again be providing booking for some of our most popular Christmas services. Online booking will be available later next week via our website. If you’re unable to book, or simply would like to join us on the day, a number of spaces will continue to be available on the door.

Something for everyone this Christmas…

Portsmouth Cathedral is so pleased to once again be holding our annual Christmas Fair on Saturday 4 December from 11:00am to 1:30pm. We were disappointed it was unable to happen last year due to the pandemic, but thanks to the dedication and support of our volunteers brilliantly led by Ann Wilson, we are able to host this fantastic event for the community and parish once again. This family friendly event is perfect for those looking for traditional festive fun, featuring tombola, homemade treats, a Santa's Grotto and much more, especially engaging with our existing Cathedral community and families in the local area.

We are also pleased to be welcoming a new,Christmas Gift Market in association with Love Southsea, featuring local traders, artisans and street food. This event is particularly aimed at those who have not visited the Cathedral before and supports our Cathedral Vision to work with local partners and try out new ways of engaging with the wider community of Portsmouth. The Christmas Gift Market takes place on Friday 26 November from 2:00–7:00pm, and Saturday 27 November from 10:00–4:00pm.

We are always seeking to learn and improve for the future. This particularly applies when we are doing things for the first time, as we are here with these two complementary Christmas events. Your feedback will be much appreciated in due course.

Find out more about Christmas at Portsmouth Cathedral

Fabric Advisory Committee

The Fabric Advisory Committee meets on Tuesday. During the meeting, the Cathedral Architect, Simon Ablett, will present his first draft of this year’s Quinquennial Inspection of the Cathedral building, which will inform prioritisation of repairs and maintenance and applications for grant funding over the next five years.

The agenda for the meeting is available on our website.

Eco Discussion Group - what next?

Our Eco Discussion Group has now completed its study of Ruth Valerio's book ‘Saying Yes to Life’. In our final session, we looked at how the book had changed our outlook, and at some actions we could take to ensure that we are living more sustainably. Examples of changes we have already made include eating a more plant-based diet, cutting down on the use of plastic bags, choosing vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics, and flying less or not at all.

As we pray for the COP26 summit, you might like to consider what small changes you could make, too (and if you'd like to read the book, it's still available in the shop!)

Dean Anthony joins senior Diocesan colleagues in responding to the situation in Ghana.

Dean Anthony writes: Portsmouth Cathedral is proud to be a member of Inclusive Church, and therefore a church which celebrates and affirms every person and does not discriminate on any grounds whatsoever, including economic power, ethnicity or sexuality. We are also proud of our longstanding links with the Anglican Church in Ghana, and in particular the diocese of Sunyani.

It was with great sadness, therefore, that I read the recent statement by the Ghanaian House of Bishops encouraging support for a draft piece of legislation that, if passed, would lead to imprisonment for anyone who identifies as gay or transgender. This would not only be a fundamental abuse of human rights, but a direct affront to the teaching and example of Jesus in affirming the dignity and value of all people, especially those subject to discrimination.

Read the full statement on our website →

COP26 Prayer Resources in the Cathedral

During the COP26 summit, there will be a display of prayer resources and other material for reflection in the Chapel of Healing and Reconciliation in the Cathedral for the next four weeks. Additional items will be added each week, highlighting the issues of climate change and the ways we can help preserve our environment, to focus our prayers for the world leaders who will attend the Glasgow summit between 31 October and 12 November.

Current vacancies in our staff team

We are currently recruiting for two new colleagues; a Visitor Experience and Volunteer Manager (which is fully funded by a grant from the Cathedral Sustainability Fund) and an Assistant Verger and Precincts Officer. A new 3-4 day Administrative Assistant role will be also be advertised shortly.

Please help us to find some brilliant candidates by sharing these roles with your family, friends and wider networks. For details of our current staff and volunteer opportunities see our careers page for further information.

Roberts Centre: family friends for Christmas

This Christmas, help a family in need by buying gifts for children who would not otherwise receive any. This fantastic scheme is run by the Roberts Centre, which the Cathedral supports through our outward giving scheme, and which makes a real difference to families in our city who are experiencing hardship.

If you would like to contribute, please contactTara.Couper@robertscentre.org.ukor phone her on 023 9229 6919.

Food Bank Donations

In addition to usual donations of dried and tinned food, the Roberts Centre is in need of cleaning products. If you can help, please leave any donations in the box in the Cathedral welcome area. Thank you.

Reflection from the Revd Wendy May Jacobs

We were delighted to welcome Wendy May Jacobs, Assistant Curate at Holy Trinity and St Columba in Fareham, for a two-week curacy placement earlier this month. Wendy May has written very movingly about her experience of cathedral worship for the Irish Times.

Read Wendy May’s article here →

Worship and Visiting

Portsmouth Cathedral is open daily for prayer, services and visiting. Booking is no longer required for services, unless otherwise indicated. You find out more on our website and download orders of service.

We continue to take every precaution to reduce the spread of coronavirus, including encouraging the wearing of face-coverings, checking in with the NHS Covid-19 app and remaining at a safe distance from other groups. Further information can be found our Covid-19 information page.

Cathedral Toddler Group

Our Cathedral Toddler Group meets at 2:00pm on Wednesdays in school term times. The group starts in St Thomas’ Chapel in the Cathedral for a story, songs and prayers, and then goes across to Becket Hall for refreshments and play. Our current group includes a six-week-old baby and a range of toddlers up to school age. If you are (or know of) a parent/carer with a young child, do come along. You will be warmly welcomed.

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: Derek, Clare, Mervyn, Beverley, Richard, Aaron, Jane, Alan, Libby, Lesley, Hilary, David, Stan, Andrew, Jean, Amanda, and all those in need.

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

We pray for those who have died recently: Peter Nichols, Jeffery Bell, Jeannette Dowle, Tony Allen, and Angela Carpenter RIP.

A prayer for COP26

God of creation,
we thank you for the wonderful world you have given us:
help us to see the world through your eyes,
and to work together to return the world
to a place where all life thrives;
where waters run clear and rain quenches the thirst of our crops;
where the wind brings freshness and changes of weather;
where ice holds back the floods;
where sun and moon continue to light up our lives,
and where the rainbow marks your promise of love
and holds us together in our diversity.
Amen.

Upcoming Services & Events

Lunchtime Live: Sachin Gunga | 11 November 1:10pm

Delight in our weekly recitals live from the Cathedral featuring members of the Cathedral Music Department, and special guest artists. This week Cathedral Sub-Organist Sachin will play a programme on the theme of Remembrance, including music by Maurice Duruflé.

This recital is free in the Cathedral, donations are welcomed.

Thanksgiving for the life of Shirley Grayson-Smith RIP | 12 November

There will be an opportunity during Choral Evensong at 5:45pm on Friday 12th November to join with Shirley's family and friends as we give thanks for her life and her contribution to the Cathedral. We continue to hold Ivor and all Shirley’s family in our prayers.

The Portsmouth Grammar School Remembrance Concert | 13 November, 7:00pm

Join the musicians of The Portsmouth Grammar School along with the London Mozart Players and a host of soloists for this beautiful and moving concert for Remembrance. The programme includes Mozart’s Requiem. Tickets are £10, £5 for concessions and under 7s free.

Find out more →

Remembrance Sunday | 14 November

Please join us for Mattins at 10:50 am on Remembrance Sunday when we remember all those who have died or been affected by war and conflict. A Eucharist will replace Choral Evensong at 5:45pm.

Our bells will ring a traditional half-muffled peal after the morning service.

Portsmouth Deanery course – the Pastoral Principles | 16 November – 14 December

In preparation for the Living in Love and Faith course, which is our opportunity to explore matters of human sexuality, we invite you to participate in a five session Zoom course on the Church of England’s Pastoral Principles for living well together.

The course will be held on Tuesday evenings at 7:00pm from 16 November to 14 December inclusive and is open to all those in our Deanery and beyond. The Pastoral Principles underpin the LLF course, but have much broader application in forming a framework through which we can have meaningful and respectful conversations, including good disagreement. They are a stand-alone course, and you are welcome to join whether or not you intend to be part of the LLF process.

You can find out more, and download a pdf of the course booklet for free (or find out how to order a hard copy), here: The Pastoral Principles | The Church of England

Booking details will be available shortly.

Christmas Fair | 4 December

Our volunteer-run Christmas Fair returns on Saturday, 4 December 2021. If you would like to volunteer or make things for the stalls, please email info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk

The Team are now in need of good quality donations for all the stalls. Please start asking friends and family if they have any donations for the Fair so we can produce the sort of quantity and quality we have had in the past.

The Christmas Raffle

Christmas raffle tickets are now available in the Cathedral Shop. Many wonderful prizes available to be won. The draw will take place during the Christmas Fair on 4 December 2021.

Find out more →

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