Weekly Notices | 28 December 2025

A Reflection by Canon Harriet

As we move into those liminal days between Christmas Day and New Year, time often takes on a different feel, and we can get lost, a little, not quite knowing what day it is, as the calendar year draws to a close. Of course if you are working or are having a busy time of commitments, you are less likely to be getting lost in the days, but still, it is a good time to try to carve out a little space to reflect and to “be” without having to think of what is coming next in your diary or indeed in the new year.

The Ignatian tradition of the “examen” can be a very useful tool to help us reflect. Their tradition is to use the “examen” at the end of each day. Looking back over the day, one reflects on the things that have happened and the people we have met, the thoughts we have had and so on, and then it’s customary to notice whether there has been a particular moment, or event, or part of the day, where you felt particularly close to God, or where God’s spirit was clearly moving. Once you have noticed it, you can thank God for it. And then, in what becomes a prayerful review of the day, you can notice if there was a point where God felt absent, or where you felt distant from the pull of God’s goodness. The final part of the “examen” is to draw these things together and ask God for grace to lead you and guide you in the next day. Reflecting like this and taking note of the times when you have been drawn to God and when you have felt more distant, can be a very helpful way of noticing the Spirit’s movement in your life more and more.

At this time of year, this exercise can equally be applied to the year that is passing, helping to draw all of life into the scope of God’s loving purposes and to help to provide some direction in the year that is coming.

May you have a blessed new year when it comes.

Canon Harriet
Canon Chancellor and Vice Dean

Dates for your diary…

Epiphany Eucharist – Tuesday, 6 January at 5:45pm
Motown by Candlelight – Friday, 9 January at 7:30pm
Eucharist - Baptism of Christ followed by the Blessing of the Sea – Sunday, 11
Matthew and the Atlas + Ian Jamieson – Saturday, 17 January at 7:30pm
Epiphany Carols – Sunday, 18 January at 5:45pm

Community News

Christmas Fair 2025 & Thank you!

Our amazing community came together to raise more than £6,300 for our Cathedral Church and Choir Association.

The dedicated teamwork of our volunteers, and the generosity of all those who donated items old, new and hand-made meant that the stalls, such as Cakes, Jam & Preserves, Chocolate and Bottle tombola and more, were well stocked, Thank you all!

You can read the full story here.

Choir Christmas Album

‘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.

Flower Guild

The Flower Guild would be very pleased to receive donations for poinsettias to decorate the Cathedral for Christmas (£5 each). Please use the reference “Flower Guild Poinsettias” for any donations made by envelopes placed in collection boxes, or for any donations made online or by bank transfer.

Word is Near update

The Word is Near is taking a break over Christmas and will return on Wednesday 7 January at the usual time of 10:30am. In the new year we will meet in the Corner Meeting Room in Cathedral House. If you are new and not sure where to go, please ask at the Cathedral Welcome Desk.

No Highlights Tours

Due to the Christmas season, there will be no highlights tours from the 21 December - 1 January. Please remember our Highlights Tours are subject to availability.

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.