A reflection from Revd Catherine

This Sunday falls in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  The theme this year is “You shall love the Lord your God ... and your neighbour as yourself” (Lk 10:27) and focuses on the parable of the good Samaritan.  When we consider what is going on in the world at the moment, this focus seems more needed than ever. The materials for reflection and prayer have been prepared by churches in Burkina Faso, which is currently experiencing a serious security crisis, that we hear very little about in the news.
 
After a major jihadist attack was mounted from outside the country in 2016, the security situation, and consequently the social cohesion in the country, deteriorated dramatically. The country has seen a proliferation of terrorist attacks, lawlessness and human trafficking, which has left over 3,000 people dead and almost two million internally displaced. The crisis has affected all faith groups: the country is 64% Muslim, 9% belong to traditional African religions and 26% Christian.  Christian churches have been targeted by armed attacks. Priests have been killed during worship and others kidnapped. Christians can no longer openly practise their faith. Because of terrorism, the majority of Christian churches in the north, east and north-west of the country have been closed.
 
We don’t hear this reported in the media very much, if at all.  It brings home the number of conflicts going on around the world where people must feel forgotten and forsaken by their neighbours in other countries. Yet, from that place of crisis and violence, the churches of Burkina Faso have compiled poignant reflections and prayers, which speak into so many situations across the world, and into our own lives.
 
Listening and openness are easy words to say but much harder to do.  We are encouraged to consider our own brokenness and in doing so, we are more able to connect with the suffering of others from a place of empathy and humility, and so enter a space of encounter inspired by Christ’s healing love. 
 
You can find the prayer resources here. 
 
We have a wonderful opportunity to listen to our Muslim neighbours on Tuesday 23 January at the annual Muslim-Christian evening, where we gather with our friends from the Wickham Muslim community.  The theme we will explore this year is Hope. We will hear from both the Muslim and Christian perspectives on what hope means in both faith contexts and reflect on what gives us hope in our daily lives and in the world.
 
A prayer from the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity resources:
 
God of love,
who writes love in our hearts,
instil in us the courage to look 
beyond ourselves
and see the neighbour
in those different from ourselves
and to be the unexpected neighbour,
that we may truly follow Jesus Christ
our brother and our friend,
who is Lord, for ever and ever.
Amen.
 
Catherine Edenborough

Community News

Solent Symphony Orchestra Spring Classics

 The Solent Symphony Orchestra invites music lovers to its second Spring Classics Concert at Portsmouth's historic Cathedral. Featuring Emme Hensel, the Concerto Award prize winner from Portsmouth Music Festival.
 
The Solent Symphony Orchestra, conducted by renowned conductor Steve Tanner, provides the perfect accompaniment. Join us for this celebration of classical music, including the winner of the Portsmouth Music Festival, Emme Hensel. Emme will perform the Flute Concerto in D Major by Reinecke. You will also be able to enjoy the orchestra performing A Somerset Rhapsody by Holst and Symphony No 2 (London) by Vaughn Williams.
 
Book tickets online or from the Cathedral shop.
  

Pilgrim Course for Confirmation & Exploring the Faith

 The Pilgrim Course is for you if you would like to learn more about the Christian faith or would like to be confirmed. The course will run for 4 weeks, starting on Monday 26th February, from 6:45pm-8pm in the Bishop Kenneth Room at the Cathedral.  The next opportunity to be confirmed will be at the Cathedral, following the course, on Easter Eve (Saturday 30th March). If Baptism and/or Confirmation is something you are thinking about or would like to find out more about, please do be in touch with Canon Harriet by emailing harriet.neale-stevens@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
 
Dates of the course…

• Monday 26th February

• Monday 4th March

• Monday 11th March

• Monday 18th March

Third Estates Commissioner's visit to talk Net Zero

 On Thursday, the Cathedral was delighted to welcome the Reverend Canon Flora Winfield, the Church of England's Third Estates Commissioner and Julian Atkin, the Church's Net Zero Programme Director, to learn more about how we -- and the wider City of Portsmouth - have been working to reduce our collective carbon footprint.
 
Read More →
  

Sisters of Bethany – Week of Christian Unity

 All are welcome to attend a service for the week of prayer for Christian Unity held by the Sisters at Nelson Road, Southsea at 2:30pm on 24 January.  Details of other events offered by the Sisters including Quiet Days and Julian meditation group. The Deaf Church usually meets 2:15pm on the 1st Sunday of each month.
 
See more here →
  

Could you help us to reach out to older, isolated individuals?

 Anna Chaplaincy – a ministry of the Christian charity BRF – has been established specifically to provide care for older people, especially those living in care homes and sheltered accommodation, and to their families and the staff that look after them.
 
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Archdeacon Jenny Rowley's final Sunday

 On Sunday, 28 January, Archdeacon Jenny will preach for the 11:00am Eucharist at Portsmouth Cathedral, giving her final sermon in post as our Archdeacon. All are invited to come and hear her thoughts and insights on her time in the Diocese.
 
Later that same day, at the Candlemas Carol Service at 5:45pm, at the Cathedral, Bishop Jonathan will give our farewells to Archdeacon Jenny as she retires from ministry.
 
Are all invited to attend, and if they wish to participate in our ‘Come and Sing’ event and take part in the service. Several parishes from Jenny’s Archdeaconry will be taking part.
  

Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral

 A Coffee Morning, the first Friends Event of 2024 was held Council and Coffee Morning was held on Thursday 18 January, there was a real buzz as people caught up on recent news over lovely home baked pastries and drinks in the Nave. Krysia Butwilowska, recently elected Chair of The Friends, encouraged members to spread the news of The Friends and invite their friends to come and share in the programme of upcoming activities to be published shortly.
 
The highlight of the morning was a talk given by Canon Harriet in which she discussed some of the exciting activities she was planning to reflect her interest in music and the arts, and their relationship and relevance to faith and worship.
She also shared some aspects of her personal journey to realise her calling and her real pleasure in having come to Portsmouth Cathedral.
 
The Friends are warmly invited to attend Choral Evensong service on 8 February at 5:45pm - do come and bring a friend with you! Do also watch out for notices of upcoming events organised by the Friends, you are most welcome to attend and hopefully join.
 
Learn more about the Friends here →
 

Krysia Butwilowska
Chair of The Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral

New group - The Word is Near

 ‘The Word is Near’ is a new group for those who would like to explore how the Bible readings coming up each Sunday in our worship might relate to our daily lives. Canon Harriet will lead us in a weekly reading group which will include prayer and discussion on the upcoming texts, using poetry, art and other writings as a prompt and inspiration. An opportunity to consider how God speaks to us through the scriptures as well as a time for fellowship and the sharing of faith. You don't need to be an expert on your Bible to come to this group - all are welcome, and all that is needed is a willingness to read and reflect together! Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30am in the Bishop Kenneth Room, starting 10 January.
 
Read More →
  

Cathedral Saturday Screenings

 Join us for Saturday screenings of classic films for all ages in the Cathedral….
 
20 January- Animation meets real world. For all the family, the musical favourite of Mary Poppins at 4:30pm. Following on at 7:30pm is the iconic Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
 
10 February- Romance in very different forms. For the family, the unusual and brilliant story of Shrek at 4:30pm. Then for a more classic story, Casablanca at 7:30pm.
 
2 March- Music madness. For all the family, a fantasmigorical machine - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at 5pm. Then a fun night out with Mamma Mia at 8pm.
 
Book tickets online →
  

Annual Muslim Christian Evening

 The Annual Muslim Christian Evening will take place in the Cathedral Nave on Tuesday 23 January after Evensong, starting at 7:00pm. All are welcome to attend this long-standing annual event. The theme that will be explored this year is Hope. We will hear from both the Muslim and Christian perspectives on what hope means in both faith contexts and reflect on what gives us hope in our daily lives and in the world. We will also share together in a light meal, on a bring and share basis. If you would like to attend the evening, please do bring some food to share if you are able, ensuring that it is vegetarian and clearly labelled.
  

Half Term Family Activities: Build a Cathedral!

 Come along to our free Half Term Family Activity days in February Half Term. Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 February, 10am-3pm in the Cathedral. Take part in a ‘Build a Cathedral Trail’, have a go at building an arch and tiling a roof, and create a take home craft activity. All welcome, no need to book.
  

Join the Team as an Administrative Assistant

 Would you like to join the Cathedral team in either a temporary or permanent part-time role.  We’re looking for two versatile people to fill part-time Administrative Assistant roles from early 2024. The posts offer the opportunity to work across the wide range of the Cathedral's activities and provide a central resource across alongside existing staff.
 
Closing date for applications is 23:59 this on Sunday 21 January with interviews week commencing 29 January.
 
Further details and applications here.

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.

We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community:  Philip, Judith, Aidan, Alison, Nuno, Rosy, Chris and all in need.  
 
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including:  Ann, Mathai, Philip, Alistair, Graeme, Janet, Renee, Richard, Rachel, John, Jill and Suzy.
 
We remember those who have died:  Myrna Hall, Michael Jackson, Anne Russell, Fenella Wilkinson and Farrokh 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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