Weekly Notices | 26 October 2025

A Reflection by Canon Harriet

This week history was made after King Charles visited Rome to pray publicly with Pope Leo in the Sistine Chapel. The King attended a service which included elements from both the Roman Catholic and the Anglican traditions, and incorporated the music of Sistine Chapel Choir as well as the Choirs of St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and the Children of the Chapel Royal.

Although it was an historic moment in and of itself, what I found most striking about this story were the photos of King Charles and Pope Leo standing amidst the glorious paintings and tapestries of the Sistine Chapel. Here, their encounter, their conversation, their worship, could be seen to take place in the context of the whole of salvation history, from the creation of the heavens and the earth, to the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, depicted in Michelangelo’s frescoes and Raphael’s tapestry designs: scenes from the book of Genesis, from the lives of the prophets, from the New Testament and the life of Jesus Christ.
The faces and bodies of the King and the Pope seemed small in comparison, their bit of history a tiny piece in the great jigsaw of time, which stretched out behind and before them on the walls and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

This Sunday is set aside in the church’s year as Bible Sunday. A day to give thanks for the gift of the Holy Scriptures and to reflect on how the word of God inspires us in our daily life and worship, and to tune our hearts to the voice of Jesus Christ, the living word.

Like the King and the Pope in the Sistine Chapel, we too live out our days under the great canvas of God’s salvation. And to help us find our place and our purpose within it, the scriptures are a great gift. For they contain histories and stories, poetry and prayer, records of humankind’s developing relationship with God, and all the hopes and fears and joys and sorrows that humanity has ever expressed. The scriptures help orientate us towards God, and give us the context in which to find our place in the great stream of people who have sought God before us. Perhaps most importantly, Christ speaks in the scriptures, and in his words and in his encounters with others, we discover our own story, our purpose, and our place within his love and life.

Canon Harriet Neale-Stevens
Canon Chancellor and Vice Dean

Dates for your diary…

Choral Evensong with visiting choir - Cavendish Choir – Saturday, 25 October at 5:45pm
The Word is Near – Wednesday, 29 October at 10:15am
Lunchtime Live - Charles Wooler (organ) – Thursday, 30 October at 1:10pm
A Night at the Opera - Candlelight Concerts – Friday, 31 October at 7:30pm
Yoga at the Cathedral – Saturday, 1 November at 10:30am
All Saints' Eucharist – Sunday, 2 November at 11:00am
All Souls' Remembering Service – Sunday, 2 November at 5:45pm

Community News

Cathedral Choir Raises the Roof

The Boy Choristers and Lay Clerks of the Cathedral Choir enjoyed singing Evensong Song at St James’ Church, Milton on Sunday 12 October, and helped raise over £1500 towards an important fundraising project for St James’ Church, as well as being treated to some amazing cake!

The Roof Rescue Project is estimated to be £1.8m and with costs rising it is reasonable to use the memorable figure of £2 million when referring to the project. It is a daunting prospect and in view of this the Architect has phased the project with Phase 1 comprising the most urgent work, but still estimated to cost around £1.2m with this Phase broken down into further sub-phases each costing £400,000. If reserves are used we reduce our annual income by some £30,000. The Fund Raising Group is working hard to raise funds and, with other donations, so far in 2025 we have raised a further £9,620. Obviously with guidance from the Diocese applications for grants from various sources will be made, but it is unlikely that these will meet the whole project cost. The project does include the installation of solar panels on the West side aisle roof as part of our energy-saving and environmental commitment. More information on the project can be found here.

We thank the Choir, David and Sachin for the giving of their time and helping us towards this monumental task.

Valerie England
St James, Milton

Cathedral Curate News

We are delighted to announce that in July 2026 we will be welcoming Stuart McKerracher as our new cathedral curate. Stuart will be ordained Deacon at Petertide and then begin his curacy with us, which is the next stage in his training. You can read more about Stuart below.

My name is Stuart McKerracher, and I am very much looking forward to joining the parish community as Assistant Curate next year.

I have a personal connection with Portsmouth: my grandfather was in the Naval Service, and my paternal relatives were all born and raised in the city. I grew up not far away on the Isle of Wight, and whilst in the interim I have studied and worked on the mainland, it was to the island that I returned for my ministerial discernment, joining the congregation at St Mildred’s, Whippingham.

I’m currently in my final year of training at the College of the Resurrection in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, where we live and work alongside our founders, the Community of the Resurrection, an Anglican monastic order with a long tradition of education and social justice work in the UK and Africa. I chose to study here primarily for the rigorous discipline of daily prayer, and the commitment to dignity and solemnity in the liturgy. In addition to this, I have been given the chance to run Bible-study sessions, and to work in the chaplaincies of a hospice and an inner-city homeless shelter. As a former secondary school teacher and volunteer food-bank co-ordinator, these experiences really helped establish a through line between my previous working life and my present vocation.

During my time at college, I have served successively as precentor and sacristan, helping to organise and run the musical and liturgical establishment. This has built on my earlier experience as a choral scholar at Oxford, as a cathedral lay clerk and lay succentor, and as choirmaster in my sending parish. Academically, my main interests are the Eastern Orthodox tradition, and ecumenical dialogue between Eastern and Western Christians. Having obtained a BA in Theology, Mission and Ministry, I am now reading for an MA focusing mainly on Patristics and Biblical Studies. I would describe myself as a High Church Anglican: catholic in liturgy and outward devotion, whilst inwardly rooted and steeped in the unchanging truth of scripture, a spirituality that I hope will be well fostered by the worshipping life of the cathedral.

I am married to Carole, an acupuncturist and linguist, who has walked with me on my journey of faith and discovery for the past 18 years. My stepson Liam lives in London, where he is embarking on professional training in Jungian psychotherapy. Off-duty, I enjoy long hikes and hillwalking, birdwatching, classical music, foraging wild foods, and catching up with friends over good food and real ale.

I’m very excited about meeting everyone and getting to know you, and for all the new opportunities that curacy will bring. May God increase our faith and bless our endeavours now and, in the years, to come.

With best wishes

Stuart

Bishop Jonathan enters House of Lords

Bishop Jonathan was formally introduced to the upper chamber this morning. He presented his summons from HM the King and swore his oath before taking his seat on the benches with his fellow bishops.

He is now one of the Lords Spiritual, whose presence in Parliament reflects our constitutional arrangement, with an established Church of England and its Supreme Governor as monarch and Head of State.

You can read the full story here.

Entertainment at the Christmas Fair 🎄

Thanks to our sponsor Nesbits Auctioneers & Appraisers we will be delighted by Dave from Chappers World of Balloons at the Christmas Fair on Saturday 6 December. The balloon artist will be creating a fantastic array of treats from Santas and Snowmen to Candy Canes and Christmas Trees, entertaining the children, and all those young of heart, waiting to see Santa in his magical Grotto.

Don’t forget that the Christmas raffle tickets are now available in our Cathedral Gift Shop. For just a £1 raffle ticket you could win…

1st Prize: £100 John Lewis Voucher
Christmas Hamper
Book Lover’s Hamper
Pamper Hamper
Family Night in Hamper
Craft Hamper

Please get in touch if you can take some raffle tickets to sell to colleagues at work or to family and friends, every ticket sold helps the mission of our Cathedral Church.

We’re collecting for both the Bottle Tombola and the Chocolate Tombola – so whether it’s a bottle of something lovely or a sweet treat, please consider donating.

The week before the fair we will gratefully receive donations of jigsaw puzzles (complete, please!), good-quality fiction paperback books, children’s toys, glass & china, jewellery & scarves, as well as unused toiletries. All of which are a perfect way to pass things on for others to enjoy.

If you can offer a bit of your time – whether on the day itself or in the run-up – I’d love to hear from you. Or if you are boiling fruit for Jams or icing a Christmas Cake do send in some pictures please.

There’s a role for everyone, and your help makes all the difference.

For Chocolate donations please pass on to Rachael Forder or Ann Wilson. Bottle Tombola donations may be left with the verger or at the Cathedral Office for secure storage, other donations in the week before the fair.

Save the date - Portsmouth Cathedral Christmas Fair 11:00am Saturday 6 December followed by Carols on the Green at 5:45pm. All proceeds from the Christmas Fair support the work and mission of Portsmouth Cathedral. Free to enter, donations welcome.

Thank you for your support – Rachael

Cathedral, Council and Society of St James Partner to Offer Warmth and Hope This Winter

Portsmouth Cathedral is joining forces with Portsmouth City Council and the Society of St James (SSJ) to provide a warm, safe place for people experiencing homelessness this winter. From 27 October 2025 to 31 March 2026, the Cathedral’s Becket Hall will offer shelter and support for to up to twelve guests.

All guests are referred and assessed in advance by Portsmouth City Council’s Rough Sleeping Team, ensuring that those who stay are low-risk and suitable for this setting. Two trained SSJ staff members will be present throughout each night, creating a calm and well-managed environment. 

The project is part of a partnership between the Cathedral, the City Council’s Housing Needs, Advice and Support (HNAS) service, and SSJ, a charity with over fifty years of experience supporting people to move forward from homelessness.

The Reverend Canon Harriet Neale-Stevens, Canon Chancellor and Vice Dean said: “As the nights draw in, this partnership allows us to offer warmth and kindness to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. The guests who stay with us are referred through the Council’s experienced team, and the project is carefully managed to ensure everyone’s safety and peace of mind. It’s a simple but powerful expression of care in action.”

Tania Marsh Chief Executive, Society of St James said: "At SSJ we know how vital it is for people to feel safe and respected, whatever their circumstances. Our experienced staff will be on hand every night to offer both support and reassurance, ensuring the shelter runs smoothly for guests and the wider community. We’re grateful to Portsmouth Cathedral and the City Council for their partnership in making this possible."

Each morning, guests will be invited to the Rough Sleeping Hub on Queen Street, where they can enjoy a hot breakfast, shower facilities, and access to help with housing, health and benefits. The Becket Hall shelter offers more than a bed for the night, it provides a bridge towards stability and renewal.

Local residents have been informed about this initiative, and the Cathedral and Council teams remain available to answer any questions. We will be holding a project information session with our partners on the 11 November at 6:30pm till 7:30pm in Becket Hall if you would like to find out more about the project and partnership.

Sustainable Church Flowers

As part of Portsmouth Cathedral’s commitment to consider new ways of widening our fairtrade aspirations and reducing the carbon and environmental footprint of our floral displays, our Chief Operating Officer, Zoë Colbeck, and members of the Flower Guild have recently attended events hosted by the Sustainable Church Flowers movement. Church flowers are in our worship and in our building to offer glory to God, however we don’t often think about the harm we are causing buying flowers from the developing world.

The events included the inspiring “Petals with a Purpose” evening at Guildford Cathedral which offered hands-on demonstrations and expert talks on how churches can embrace eco-friendly floristry.

The Sustainable Church Flowers initiative, founded in 2019 in Harpley, Worcestershire, encourages churches to rethink traditional flower arranging practices. It promotes the use of locally grown, seasonal blooms, foam-free mechanics, and biodegradable materials, all while honouring the spiritual and aesthetic role of flowers in worship.

Read more about Sustainable Church Flowers here.

We will be looking to do more in 2026 to ensure that we look for creative ways to use seasonal and more sustainable flowers. If you would like to help please contact the Cathedral Office.

Remembering Service for All Souls - 2 November

This reflective service with the Cathedral Choir (Girls) singing Faure's Requiem offers a beautiful opportunity to remember loved ones, light a candle for them and share in Communion if you wish. The names of those who have died in this past year for whom we have conducted the funeral or memorial (or a burial of ashes) will be read. All are welcome and if you would like an additional name to be included at the service, please add it to the list in the Welcome Area.

Hampshire Fairtrade Network Wine Tasting - 28 October

We’re sorry to let you know that this event has been cancelled. All ticket holders will receive a refund.

Thank you for your understanding.

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 with visiting choir - Cavendish Choir
5:45pm – Choral Evensong with visiting choir - Cavendish Choir

A quick reminder that the clocks go back this weekend, which may affect Sunday service times.

Prayers & Intercessions

We pray for: James who is to be baptised this Sunday, and his family and godparents.

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

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

We remember those who have died recently, including: Sarah Chapman and Betty Baldwin RIP.