Weekly Notices | 9 November 2025

A Reflection by Canon Nick

It is said that those who don’t learn the lessons of history are bound to repeat them but I prefer a slightly different take on this from Mark Twain – “History doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes.” It can seem as if we are living in particularly troubled times with ‘wars and rumours of wars’ but I would also say that it was also ever thus. There are always challenges to the current order and in every age we have to make sure we uphold the values we hold dear, as those who fought in the various wars we remember this weekend did in their time.

We gather in 2025 on Remembrance Sunday and Remembrance Day itself on Tues 11th, for the 107th time since that first armistice day on 11/11/1918. We give thanks for all those who gave their lives in that war, in the Second World War and others since then, in defence of their country, their communities, and their families, and in the service of justice, freedom and peace.

We recall those who made the ultimate sacrifice and also those who were injured or lost families, homes, and parts of their lives that can never be recovered. It is a sombre moment, and we are rightly sad at what happened and we mourn those lost. As those who remember these things get older, we risk losing touch with the realities of what happened, so Remembrance Day becomes all the most significant.

If, however, all we do is mourn, then we will have missed something important. This is not only about looking back in sadness. Those men and women died in the service of justice, freedom, and peace. If we are to honour their memories appropriately, we need not only to mourn them, but also to redouble our own efforts and work in our own time, in defence of those very same causes with the intention that no one need again lose their life in war.

We may yet have to fight to maintain those values, but we are required first to try to avoid the necessity of future conflicts which is why what happens in Ukraine matters; what happens in other places matters as well. We do this in faith, in the service of others and also our faith which holds at its heart those core values of justice, freedom, and peace. So we pray:

O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
be thou our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home.

Amen

Canon Nick Ralph,
Residentiary Canon

Dates for your diary…

Matins for Remembrance – Sunday, 9 November at 10:50am
Requiem for Remembrance – Sunday, 9 November at 5:45pm
Coffee with Anna – Monday, 10 November at 11:00am
The Word is Near – Wednesday, 12 November at 10:15am
#PompeyTots – Wednesday, 12 November at 2:00pm
The Best of Hans Zimmer and Film Favourites – Wednesday, 12 November at 7:00pm
Lunchtime Live - Frank Allen (tenor) & Karen Kingsley (piano) – Thursday, 13 November at 1:10pm
Samantha Barks by Candlelight – Friday, 14 November at 7:30pm

Community News

Highlights not to miss this Christmas at Portsmouth Cathedral ✨

At Christmas in the Cathedral, we not only welcome our much-loved services, but also a wide array of events to help celebrate the festive season! From live performances and concerts to creative workshops and family favourites, there’s something for everyone to enjoy within our beautiful and historic setting. This year’s programme promises to fill the Cathedral with music, laughter, and festive cheer, the perfect way to embrace the spirit of Christmas.

You can read the full story here.

Our new Welcome Area

Come and see our new Welcome Area & City Centenary Exhibition from Saturday 22 November

Now that November is upon us, we're very pleased to announce that from Saturday 22 November, you'll be greeted by our new Welcome Area as you come into the Cathedral. This project, which has been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and delivered in partnership with the Mary Rose Museum will see the shop move to the South Tower Transept, a custom-created welcome desk installed, and a brand-new heritage exhibition opened ready for the City's Centenary in 2026.

Visitors to the Cathedral on the 22 November will be amongst the first to experience the new space, and we're expecting visitors in their thousands as we also host the annual Love Southsea Christmas Market on the same day.

Why not come along and join us or do come into the Cathedral after the 22 November to see the new Welcome Area at your leisure.

Remembrance Sunday

On Sunday 9 November, we gather for Matins for Remembrance at 10:50am, joining in prayer, hymns, and the national Two Minutes’ Silence as we honour those who have served. The day concludes with the Requiem for Remembrance at 5:45pm, featuring Duruflé’s moving Requiem and prayers for peace.

All are warmly welcome as we remember together those who have given so much.

Dean out and about

Dean Anthony, as one of the Chaplains to Portsmouth City Council, will be attending the City of Portsmouth Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade on Sunday. The service will be preceded by a parade of veterans, military personnel and youth groups in the Guildhall Square at 10.30am. At 11am there will be a two-minute silence followed by the service. A wreath-laying ceremony at the WW1 memorial (Cenotaph) will conclude the morning’s events.

A Fair to Remember - Sweet & Savoury🧁

It's only four weeks to go until the Portsmouth Cathedral Christmas Fair on Saturday 6 December, and we need your most delicious help!

Come along and enjoy the fun, thanks to our sponsor Nesbits Auctioneers & Appraisers we will be delighted by Dave from Chappers World of Balloons creating a fantastic array of treats from Santas and Snowmen to Candy Canes and Christmas Trees, entertaining those eager to see Santa and collect their Christmas gift.

You can read the full story here.

Deputy Head Choristers installed

Last Sunday we installed Hugh and Dan as Deputy Head Choristers of the Boys' Choir.

Congratulations and thank you to them both for the skill and expertise they bring to the choir and for their dedication to the Cathedral.

Meet the Dean - 16 November

Come and meet Dean Anthony, at the next regular opportunity for members of the Cathedral community to meet in the Bishop Kenneth Room after the morning Eucharist.

Congregational Lunch - 23 November

All are welcome to join us at a Congregational Lunch on Sunday 23 November. We will be enjoying cottage pie (or a veggie/vegan pie option), made and donated by the congregation, followed by delicious fruit crumble. Please let us know if you and your family can stay after the 11:00am Eucharist or return after worshiping at the 8:00am or 9:30am services, by adding your order to the signup sheet on the Welcome Desk or following the link here.

If you can help prepare the food or serve and clear on the day, please let Canon Jo know.

Time is precious but could you spare a little? We are recruiting!

We are very much in need of extra help to welcome visitors, provide them with guided tours, sell to them in the gift shop as well as ensuring the the welcome they receive is bright and clean. Do you have a few hours you could spare during the week or weekend? Or consider your family and friends, is there anyone looking for work experience, recently retired, or wishing to make new friendships? Volunteering is a fabulous way to learn new skills and form lasting connections.

There are opportunities for 'one off event volunteers' too if you'd like to try helping at an event before committing to longer term volunteering.

You can see the full story here along with the volunteering roles.

Masterplan Consulation - Give Your Views

We invite you to join us for this next engagement event, where we will share the emerging masterplan concept proposals and gather your thoughts on the stories, spaces and opportunities they present. Your insight and feedback will play a vital role in shaping a masterplan that reflects the Cathedral’s significance as both a place of worship and a landmark for the wider community.

For more information visit our website here.

Sunday 23 November, 2:00pm – 4:00pm. No need to RSVP, all are welcome.

Nicene Creed Update

Event Postponed - due to circumstances beyond our control, this course has unfortunately been postponed to the new year. Please follow our socials and weekly notices for details of the new dates for this course.

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
10:50am – Matins for Remembrance
5:45pm – Requiem for Remembrance

Prayers & Intercessions

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

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

We remember those who have died recently, including:Michael Jackson (Cathedral Funeral 10:30am Monday 17 November) and Betty Baldwin RIP.