A reflection from Canon Nick

This week we move from fourth, and last Sunday of Epiphany and hearing about Jesus in the Synagogue to the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas) as a baby on Friday, marking the end of the season of celebration. 12 days later it will be Ash Wednesday! With an early date for Easter this year, it all comes thick and fast! So, eat up that chocolate and in a few days’ time you can take down your Christmas trees! I expect, like most of us, you will already have done so, but the celebrations should continue throughout January as the whole of Christmas and Epiphany is one of celebration. Bishop Timothy Bavin, former Bishop of Portsmouth, used to keep his tree up until 2 Feb, every year, and as it was always a real tree, it was truly bare of needles by the end but that was appropriate and served to point towards the coming of Lent, Holy week and the wood of the cross.
 
Right now, we look for wisdom, in the words of Christ, in Simeon and Anna and we could do with rather more of it in the world. We have the Candlemas Carol service on Sunday (28 Jan) evening at 5:45pm, and a Sung Eucharist for the Presentation on Friday 2 Feb, at 5:45pm with the Bishop and celebrating the work of Anna chaplains.
 
We could clearly do with more wisdom in the world, but also locally. As a Cathedral, we are looking for some specific wisdom and someone to chair the Finance Committee who would also be a member of the Cathedral Chapter – please do pass ondetailsto anyone you know who might be interested and suitably qualified/wise!
 
The American writer and cultural anthropologist, Mary Catherine Bateson once said: "We are not what we know but what we are willing to learn." That healthy approach to life, that willingness to learn, to be surprised by events and be open to God is clearly wise. Even Simeon and Anna felt that in meeting Christ in the Temple, they had encountered something exceedingly special, special enough to break into spontaneous praise to God:
 
‘For mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people to be a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of thy people Israel.’
 
Nick Ralph

Community News

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.
  

Candlemas Eucharist

Come to join us for a celebration of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas). Candlemas concludes our Christmas and Epiphany worship and helps us to turn towards Lent and Easter. We remember how Simeon recognised Jesus as the Light of the World, and Anna told others how the Christ-Child would show God’s love to all.
 
Anna Chaplains and Anna Friends from around the Diocese will gather with Bishop Jonathan for this special service on Friday 2nd February at 17.45.
  

Racial Justice Sunday

On Sunday 11 February we look forward to welcoming the Revd Rajiv Sidhu, Curate at St Mary's, Fratton, as our preacher at our morning services. Rajiv is a curate at St Mary's and a member of the Diocesan Racial Justice Group
  

Cathedral Plus Conference – Wednesday 17th to Friday 19th January

Last week the Dean and Diana, our Learning and Schools Officer, attended the Cathedral Plus Conference at Worcester Cathedral. The theme of the three-day conference was “Working Together: sustainable partnerships”.
 
The conference explored new approaches to developing fruitful partnerships between the sacred spaces we represent and other organisations, communities, and faiths. Keynote speakers included The Right Reverend John Inge, Lord Bishop of Worcester, Jacqui Parkinson Threads through Faith Artist, Canon Ivor Moody of Chelmsford Cathedral and Peter Walker, Sculptor, Artist and Designer.
 
There were also opportunities to attend workshops, participate in tours of the Cathedral and City, spend time in regional group hubs, share ideas and resources and experience the LAMPS dramatic and powerful performance of the Passion (LAMPS is an acronym for Love, Action, Music, Poetry and Stories).
 
Dean Anthony is the incoming Chair of Cathedrals Plus.
  

Parishes visit the Cathedral to talk Net Zero

On Thursday evening, the Cathedral hosted parish Eco Church representatives from across the Diocese.
 
The meeting was a chance to share with colleagues some of the cost-effective interventions made by the Cathedral over the past eleven years which has seen our carbon footprint drop by 58% (45% weather adjusted) over this period.
 
There was a chance to tour the Cathedral to look at the newly installed Perspex secondary glazing and the sealing of windows, for example, and then to see how monitoring devises helped the Cathedral to ensure these small interventions are making a significant impact on it use of carbon fuels.
 
Cathedral COO Richard said, "Following on from the visit of the Church of England's Net Zero Director last week, we were delighted to welcome colleagues from across the Diocese for this information sharing evening. It was a tremendous opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences, to hear of all the amazing things happening on Net Zero across Portsmouth Diocese."
 
Cathedral Climate Change Champion, Sue Ward said, "It was wonderful to share experiences and knowledge, but equally to see the challenges ahead, encouraging each other to do more."
  

Cathedral team active at Shaping Portsmouth Conference

The Annual Shaping Portsmouth Conference was held at the Guildhall on Friday morning, 26 January 2024.
 
The conference was an opportunity hear of the work being done across the City to transform lives, harnessing social and economic development for the benefit of local people.
 
The Cathedral used the opportunity to promote all that happens at the Cathedral from worship, music, education and outreach, our amazing tours and   as well as to promote the opportunity to "Hire us" as a venue for meetings and conferences.
 
Cathedral COO Richard said, "It was great to have Canon Harriet, visitor experience lead Rayne, marketing and communications lead, Joseph and our new Head of Fundraising, CP at the conference, learning more of what our friends and partners in the City are doing and looking at ways we can work together."
 
Shaping Portsmouth is an umbrella organisation representing and bringing together private and public sectors organisations, non-profits, and education institutions -- all committed to improving the lives of those calling Portsmouth home.  The Cathedral is proud to be a member of Shaping.  
 
Thise Conference also marked the retirement of Stef Nienaltowski, Shaping CEO over the past seven years. Under his leadership the reach and impact of Shaping has grown to the benefit of all who work and live in Portsmouth.
  

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 onlineor 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 26 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 30 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 emailingharriet.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 the 18 of January, 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 →
  

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.
 
Read More→
  

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.
  

Meet the Dean – Thursday 15 February

All are invited to the next session in the series of informal chats with Dean Anthony to be held at midday on Thursday, 15 February in the Bishop Kenneth Room. 
  

Join our team - Chair of Finance 

In late 2023 the Cathedral adopted a new governance structure under the Cathedrals Measure 2021 and will become a registered charity in March when all members of Chapter, the governing body, will become Trustees. We are looking for a new Chair of Finance, who is also an ex-officio non-executive member of Chapter, our governing body, due to the retirement of our current Chair. Dean Anthony and Richard, our Chief Operating Officer, would be happy to discuss the role informally.

Learn more and apply 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.

We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community:  Philip, Tom, Muriel, Judith, Aidan, Richard, Alison, Nuno, Rosy, Chris and all in need.
 
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including:  Ann, Margaret, Mathai, Philip, Janet, Renee, Rachel, John, Jill, Suzy, Alistair and Graeme.
 
We remember those who have died:  Hermione Treharne, Roy Brown, Jenny Baxi, Michael Jackson (Cathedral thanksgiving service: Monday 5 February 2.30), Myrna Hall (Cathedral funeral: Tuesday 6 February 11.30am), Anne Russell, Fenella Wilkinson and Gareth Perry RIP.

Michael Jackson RIP

Following Mike’s sudden death, Jane is grateful for all the sympathy and support she has received. The Memorial and thanksgiving service for Mike will be on Monday 5 February at 2:30pm here at Portsmouth Cathedral. All who wish are welcome to come. Followed by refreshment afterwards.
 

Myrna Hall RIP

The funeral for Myrna will be held here at Portsmouth Cathedral on Tuesday 6 February at 11:30am. Derek and Christopher invite any who would like to stay on for refreshments after the service.

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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