Weekly Notices | 14 November 2025

A Reflection by Canon Nick

It is hard to believe that we are already over half way through Advent and there is less than two weeks left to go! Our attention turns from looking back to patriarchs and prophets in previous weeks to John the Baptist this Sunday, the forerunner, the one who was to make straight the way of the Lord. We move from thinking about Christ’s second and final coming in judgement, more to thinking about his first coming in joy and preparing for his birth.
 
Advent 3 is therefore about rejoicing (Gaudete in Latin) and we will hear those words more and more as we come closer to Christmas. It is a bit like Refreshment Sunday in Lent. The Advent Candle (and sometimes even the vestments) on this Sunday are often a rose colour for ‘rose’ Sunday to signify a joyful pause and brighter hope within what is normally a more penitential season and signalling that Christ's birth is not far off.
 
We are, though, still appropriately in the season of preparation, - preparation for Christ but also preparation of cards, gifts, food, decorations, and all the other things we like to do at this time of year, let alone our families and ourselves. Don’t forget to take some time to think about how you prepare yourself and what Christmas means for you personally in your faith and in your life.
 
For some this is hard time of year where they are separated from loved ones by distance, sickness or death. It is hard for those who are struggling and unable to give their families, especially their children, the Christmas they would like, and organisations like The Roberts Centre, (www.robertscentre.org.uk) and Homestart (www.hsportsmouth.org.uk) do an immense about of work at this time of year to support those in the greatest need. Do think about supporting them if you can.
 
As we think about how we can each ‘prepare the way’ for Christ to come into the world again this year, we might think about how we portray more clearly the values of the Kingdom of God in a world so determined to try and avoid them. How can we show God’s love to those different from ourselves as we seek together to build the common good?
 
Do come to one of the beautiful Christmas services at Portsmouth Cathedral – there are four carol services as well as crib services and Eucharists on the day itself. The carol services are particularly good for inviting friends, family and neighbours to come along and join you. Here is a reminder of the times:
 

Sunday 21st Dec ​
6:30pm - ​Carol Service

Monday 22nd Dec​
6:30pm ​- Carol Service

Tuesday 23rd Dec​
6:30pm​ - Carol Service

Wednesday 24th Dec​ - Christmas Eve
​3:00pm - Crib Service
4:00pm - Crib Service
​6:30pm - Carol Service

Thursday 25th Dec​ Christmas Day
​8:00am ​- Holy Communion (BCP)
​9:30am ​- #PompeySundays Christmas Day
​11:00am ​- Christmas Day Eucharist


Canon Nick Ralph
Residentiary Canon

Dates for your diary…

Community News 

Big Give Result

Thank you to all who generously donated to the Music Big Give Campaign last week! We hosted receptions after Evensong and a private concert at The Mary Rose Museum last Friday night and so by last weekend we had raised just over our target amount of £10,000 which was then doubled by The Together Foundation leaving a total just shy of £22,000! The Cathedral Choir (Boys) sang a selection of Advent and Christmas music in The Gallery at the museum.
 
Thank you so much to all who were able to make a contribution, both large and small.
 


Christmas Fair


Thank you to all who helped, donated or attend the Cathedral Christmas Fair last Saturday.  The final count has not been completed yet but I hope to get you figures next week.  There were some early indications of it having been a great success with the sell-out stalls, Jam, Cakes and the ever popular Chocolate Tombola and over £700 being taken on the Jewellery & Accessories stall thanks to some fabulous leather hand-bags donated by Meg and the expert eye of Jane and Naomi running the stall.
 
Families were queueing up to see Santa in his new grotto, and we are grateful to him for making the long journey south! As well as to Dave from Chappers World of Balloons who tied non-stop throughout! A final word of Thanks to our sponsor this year Nesbits Auctioneers & Appraisers and all who donated raffle prizes.


Tickets selling fast for magical Christmas concerts...


This December, Portsmouth Cathedral hosts two standout events, and tickets are already being snapped up.

On 12 December, Interstellar Live in Concert brings the film’s striking organ score to life, performed by Roger Sayer, who recorded the original soundtrack with Hans Zimmer. Scenes from the film will be projected inside the Cathedral, and the evening includes a short Q&A with Roger.

Then on 20 December, The Snowman Live offers a magical screening of the classic animated film, accompanied by the Solent Symphony Orchestra and the voices of our Cathedral choristers.

Both concerts are always popular, and places are going fast — early booking is strongly advised.


Choir Christmas Album

Christmas Releases

 
‘For even more Christmas fanfare and ceremony, The Band of the Royal Marines Collingwood sound fabulous with Portsmouth Cathedral's choristers on The First Nowell, especially in Once in Royal David's city. A spectacular opening to a very atmospheric album’ GRAMOPHONE 
 
‘Like the fabled long-awaited bus, two albums book-ended by tremendous fanfares for brass and organ, launching choir and congregation into the Service and sending them out glowing, have appeared at once. Both establishments give generously for Advent and Christmas, but let's begin with the lesser known, one that proudly presents four seasonal choral services annually, the Choir of Portsmouth Cathedral. The First Nowell (Signum Records SIGCD943) carries the listener from the Advent Prose to Rutter's All bells in Paradise with affectionate interpretations, immediacy, and, above all, an engaging. youthful sound. Lesser-known gems such as June Clark's Let us light in a candle and Nativitas: Reflection 8: O magnum mysterium by Philip Moore for solo organ, impress among the 'usual suspects!’ CHOIR AND ORGAN
 
Available from the Cathedral Shop or on all major streaming platforms.
 


Cathedral Choir sing carols in London

On Tuesday the Cathedral Choir (Girls) sang for The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Carol Service at All Hallows by the Tower, London. The service also featured Mared Pugh-Evans, Official Harpist to His Majesty The King and readings from Lord Boeteng.
 
Thanks to the generosity of donors the event generated over £15,000 for the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation.


Silence in Heaven


Join us for half an hour of silence during Advent. Each session will begin with a brief introduction to the silence, using words from the Advent Antiphons and the Scriptures.


2:00pm - 2:30pm
Chapel of Healing & Reconciliation Mondays in Advent
(15, 22 December)


All welcome - no prior experience or knowledge are necessary. Feel free to come and go as you wish.
 


Masterplan Consultation - Give Your Views


Make sure to have your say on the vision for the estate of Portsmouth Cathedral which will shape our buildings and the Cathedral Green over the next 10 years. After a very popular few days in the Cathedral where our masterplanners from Buttress Architects presented the plans and took feedback from many of our communities, we now invite anyone who has missed out or who wants to feed in some more to join us online on Wednesday 17 December from 1:30pm - 2:30pm.
 
There's no need to RSVP or register, you can join the session through the link 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.

Services this Sunday


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

Prayers & Intercessions

We remember those for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Phil, Wynne, Chris, Nigel, Jill, Colin, Alan, Martin, Steve, Tom, Jason, Richard, Trevor, Abbie, Matthew, Hazel, Mark, Paul, Michael, Pauline, Susan, Jennifer, baby Lottie and baby Lily.  
 

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

We remember those who have died recently, including:Barbara Hyatt (Cathedral funeral 3.15pm Monday 15 December), Jean Shann, Gina King, Alan Sutherland, Lara Kynvin, James Garrard and Julian Bomyer RIP.

 Upcoming Services & Events

See more events
See regular services

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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