Weekly Notices | 5 October 2025

Appointment of Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury

Portsmouth Cathedral warmly welcomes the appointment of Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury. We offer our prayers and support as she begins this vital ministry of leadership, service, and witness within the Church of England, the Anglican Communion and our wider society and nation. Sarah has always broken new ground, being the youngest ever chief nursing officer for England, and it is a mark of how far the Church of England has travelled in recent decades that she will now be the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Church of England, as the established church, plays an important role in our society, bringing the perspective of faith and worship to every aspect of our life, as well as in the provision of education, help for the deprived and furthering social justice. Sarah brings an impressive range of skills and experience to leading all this, including experience of cathedral ministry at Salisbury, in what is undoubtedly a daunting role, and she will know that nothing can be accomplished without the grace and guidance of God. Here in Portsmouth, we dare to hope that Archbishop Sarah will be able to visit our diocese and cathedral during our 2027 centenary year, if not before, and we assure her of our daily prayers.

Anthony Cane,
Dean of Portsmouth

A Reflection by Canon Nick

Have you heard the important news this week? Forget Taylor Swift’s new album, - yes, there is a new release from David Price and the Choristers – The First Nowell! Fully out on 17 October but one track available now at Signum Classics – a great gift idea!

This week has also seen the announcement of the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, currently Bishop of London and the first woman to hold the position. Before ordination, she was a nurse and became the Chief Nursing Officer for England, so she brings a wealth of wisdom and experience with her. She comes to the role at a time of great change and challenge after a long and detailed discernment process led by Lord Evans, former head of MI5.

In her first public comments on the appointment, she talked about having been a nurse, priest and bishop and serving people in a variety of ways. She said that ‘in a world full of uncertainty, the possibility of healing lies in acts of kindness and love’ and that, ‘'In an age of tribalism, Anglicanism offers something quieter and stronger'.

These words of care, compassion, and reconciliation are only becoming more important in our society and globally but especially also after the shocking attack in which two Jewish men were killed at their synagogue in Manchester last week.

So, this week, let us pray, wherever we find ourselves, for those who died, for the Jewish community in Manchester where it happened and for all Jewish communities as they deal with this as they face rising antisemitism. We remember also the Jewish community here in Portsmouth as well. And let us also pray for Bishop Sarah Mullally as she prepares to take on the awesome and difficult responsibilities of Archbishop of Canterbury, for grace, wisdom, insight, ability and all the tools needed to lead the Church of England and the Anglican Communion more widely, in the paths of righteousness and love.

God, who in generous mercy sent the Holy Spirit
upon your Church in the burning fire of your love:
grant that your people may be fervent
in the fellowship of the gospel
that, always abiding in you,
they may be found steadfast in faith and active in service;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Canon Nick Ralph,
Residentiary Canon

Dates for your diary…

South East 12 Bell Striking Competition – Saturday, 4 October at 9:30am
Fair Trade Breakfast – Sunday, 5 October at 8:00am
Tower Tours 60+ Festival – Sunday, 5 October at 2:00pm
Coffee with Anna – Monday, 6 October at 11:00am
Exploring the Bible - The Psalms – Tuesday, 7 October at 6:30pm
The Word is Near – Wednesday, 8 October at 10:15am
#PompeyTots – Wednesday, 8 October at 2:00pm
Lunchtime Live - Béla Hartmann (piano) – Thursday, 9 October at 1:10pm
Royal Marines Band Service Memorial Day Service – Sunday, 12 October at 10:30am
Parish Lunch Club – Monday, 13 October at 12:30pm
Friends Evening Talk with Jeremy Prescott – Tuesday, 14 October at 7:30pm

Community News

Credo: Why I Believe - this year's series of sermons by our Cathedral Honorary Canons

We are pleased to have the Honorary Canons of Portsmouth Cathedral preaching again this year on Sunday evenings at the 5:45pm service. The title for the sermon series is: "Credo: Why I believe..." as this is the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea which met after Easter in the year 325 and agreed what was to become known as the Nicene Creed.

This Sunday (5 October) is the final in the series, where we welcome Canon Karina Green, Vicar of St Alban's West Leigh with us.

Cathedral Music Trust

Recently, we were delighted to welcome Cathedral Music Trust CEO, Jonathan Mayes on his route to visit every Southern Cathedral. Members of the Music Team spoke to him about their work here and Dean Anthony then joined Jonathan for his next leg from Portsmouth to Chichester!

You can read more about the Cathedral Music Trust here.

Harvest Festival

For this year’s Harvest Festival, we were grateful to receive donations as part of the citywide 'With Thankful Hearts' campaign.

Thank you to all those who donated. Food donations, for distribution through the Roberts Centre, can be left in the Cloister throughout the year.

Speak Their Name Quilt Exhibition

The Speak their Name Suicide Memorial Quilt for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will be on display in the cathedral until 9 October. One year ago, it was exhibited for the first time here and now a third panel has been added, made up of squares beautifully crafted by the families and friends of those whose lives have been lost to suicide. Do come and see this moving quilt in which are stitched precious memories of love and joy as well as hope for the future.

Learn more about the project on our website here.

Friends Evening Talk with Jeremy Prescott

We are honoured to welcome Jeremy Prescott (Lieutenant Colonel retired), who will give a thought-provoking talk on Remembrance, titled'The Miracle Flower from Flanders to the Tower'.

Jeremy is widely recognised for his powerful and engaging presentations. Reduced price tickets are available for members of the Friends. All tickets purchased include(s) a complimentary glass of wine. Get your tickets now and experience an engaging talk alongside the Friends. Members of the Friends can puchase tickets at a reduced rate.

The promotional code for members and membership information is available through friends@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk

Tickets available for purchase here →

Fairtrade Fortnight

Portsmouth celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight with various events around the city. Here at the Cathedral our usual Fairtrade Breakfast will be held on Sunday 5 October, with tasty breakfast treats available to all at our three morning services.Donations to the Fairtrade Foundation to help more producers join the Fairtrade family. On 28 October a Fairtrade Wine and Cheese tasting Evening will be happening in Becket Hall.

Tickets for Wine tasting evening can be found here.

More information about Fair Trade Fortnight can be found here.

Exploring the Bible: The Psalms

Part of our series of courses exploring the Bible, come and delve into the Psalms and learn about their history, how they are used in worship and prayer, and why they are significant to Christians today. Tuesday evenings in the Bishop Kenneth Room at 6:30pm-8:00pm, with the final session taking place on 7 October.

Please email Canon Harriet if you would like to attend.

Welcome to Nicky Clark as Chief Finance Officer

Portsmouth Cathedral is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicky Clark FCA as our new Chief Finance Officer. Nicky joins the Cathedral team from The Roberts Centre, where she served as Finance Manager.

Nicky’s appointment marks a significant step in strengthening the Cathedral’s financialstrategy and governance. Her part-time role is funded for three years by the Cathedral Sustainability Fund (CSF).

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Nicky has a proven track record in financial planning, compliance, and strategic decision-making. Her most recent role involved managing the finance function of a local charity, embedding good financial practice throughout theorganisation, and ensuring efficient use of resources to optimise service delivery and public benefit.

Dean Anthony commented; “We are delighted to welcome Nicky to the Cathedral’s finance and senior teams. We look forward to the considerable expertise she will bring to our financial operations and forward planning.”

Nicky joined the Cathedral team on 22 September and has spent her first week attending the Cathedral Administrators and Finance Association (CAFA) conference, alongside our Chief Operating Officer, Zoë Colbeck.

South Tower Transept Window Repair

The west-facing window in the South Tower Transept has been temporarily removed for essential repairs, and in preparation for our new Welcome Area. This work is funded by Chapter as part of its ongoing commitment to the maintenance and conservation of the Cathedral building. When the window is reinstalled, secondary glazing will be added, funded by the Church Commissioners' Net Zero fund.

This repair also forms part of preparations for an exciting new development: the creation of a Centenary Heritage Exhibition and Welcome Area, supported by the National Heritage Lottery Fund. Launching later this year, the new space will celebrate the Cathedral’s rich history and its deep-rooted connections with the city of Portsmouth.

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.

Services this Sunday

8:00am – Holy Communion
9:30am – #PompeySundays
11:00am – Eucharist
5:45pm – Choral Evensong
8:00pm – Taizé Worship

Prayers & Intercessions

Following the horrific attack on a Manchester Synagogue, we pray for the Jewish community there and across the country, including here in Portsmouth.

We pray for the Archbishop of Canterbury designate, Sarah Mullaly, as she prepares for this significant new step in her ministry.

We remember those for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Richard, Matthew, Hazel, Gina, Mark, Paul, Wynne, Saphie, Michael, Pauline, Davina, Susan, Karen, Jennifer, baby Lottie and baby Lily.

We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including:  Carole, Ralph, Trudie, Marion, Stuart, Jill, Suzy, Graeme, Alistair, Chris, Philip, Mathai, Peter, George.

We remember those who have died recently, including:
Sarah Chapman (Memorial Service at St Luke's 2:00pm on Tuesday 7 October), Anthea Hill (Cathedral Memorial Service 2:30pm on Monday 13 October), John Maybury, Norman Chatfield, William Blake RIP.

Canon Sarah Chapman RIP

We are very sorry to have to tell you that Canon Sarah Chapman has died. She had recently been receiving treatment for a recurrence of the cancer she had 18 months ago, and spent her last few days in the Rowans Hospice. She was aware of the love and prayers from those across the diocese over the past few weeks.

A service of thanksgiving for Sarah’s life will take place at St Luke’s Church, Southsea, at 2:00pm on Tuesday 7 October.