Cathedral Notices - 10 May 2026
A Christian Aid Week reflection from
Sue & Carole…
This Sunday is traditionally known as Rogation Sunday from the Latin rogare meaning ‘to ask’. Since medieval times there has been a tradition of ‘beating the parish boundaries’ and praying for God’s blessing on crops and industry within. Today we no longer rely on our immediate land and its dwellings for our needs, but this is not so for the many thousands of people who are helped by Christian Aid. Christian Aid Week, which begins today, reminds us that many communities are now suffering the results of global warming, losing their lands and livelihoods to rising seas, floods, drought, deforestation, exploitation and abuse etc. as well as the devastating effects of war. All of us contribute to their loss in some way, through our own activities, wants and needs.
A key way that Christian Aid works with urban and rural communities in the developing world is to advise them in methods of growing food in sustainable ways, which they can both eat and sell for a fair price so ‘Where hardship means hunger.. farmers can grow hope’. This is the message on the Christian Aid envelopes, which after a break of several years, will be delivered throughout the parish this week, and which are available in the cathedral. You can also learn more about how women grow healthy food in tiny urban spaces and appreciate how debt burdens the country of Kenya by watching the Christian Aid film at any time during the week in the welcome area.
It’s easy to be prompted to give generously to huge natural or manmade calamities like earthquakes and wars but it is the charities working quietly in the background, helping provide the daily needs of so many that also need our help and prayers. Christian Aid week is a vital fund raiser. We are aiming to raise £3,000+ at the cathedral. You don’t need a maths GCSE to work out that if 300 people gift-aided £10, we would meet the target and more (or 600 giving £5).
So please give generously online, using the envelope or the QR code on the envelope. Ask your friends as well. Have a coffee morning or tea party with friends and be bold enough to invite their contributions. Come to the Big Breakfast next week. Share on Facebook and if you are beating the boundaries on Sunday, think of those who have lost their boundaries and livelihoods. We have so much to be thankful for and as CA reminds us, like a mustard seed:
‘Great change can come from small beginnings and small spaces.’
Sue & Carole
Don’t forget… Christian Aid Big Breakfast: Sunday, 17 May
Join us at a Big Breakfast in the Nave between morning services on Sunday 17 May.
Community News
This weekend… Portsmouth 100: A Weekend of Music for the City's Centenary
The Cathedral Choir is pleased to play a full role in celebrating the city's centenary, including Vespers at St John's Cathedral and a Gala Concert at The Guildhall alongside 200 other singers and an Orchestra and Royal Marines Band of 75 players!
One hundred years ago, Portsmouth was granted city status. This May, we're helping to mark that milestone in the best way we know how, with music.
Portsmouth 100 is a weekend of celebratory events bringing together some of the city's finest musicians, choirs, and ensembles to mark a century of Portsmouth as a city. And we're delighted that Portsmouth Cathedral is right at the heart of it.
Half Term Family Activities - Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 May
Join us for family activities in the cathedral. Take part in some craft activities linked to our Portsmouth Cathedral Children’s Activity Book. Follow a trail around the cathedral to find Sammy the seagull, create a mosaic tile or design a shield. Drop in – no booking required. Free admission, sessions run from 10am to 12pm, and 1pm to 3pm.
Annual Meetings - Thursday 14 May, 7:00pm
This year’s APCM and Parish Meeting will take place on Thursday, 14 May, at 7:00pm in Becket Hall following the Ascension Day Eucharist at 5:45pm. If you are unable to attend, apologies can be sent here. There will be drinks available following the service and ahead of the meeting for those wishing to stay.
The meetings include elections for Churchwardens and Deanery Synod representatives. Nomination forms are available in the Cathedral, and if you would like to know more about the roles, please speak to the Dean or one of the Canons.
The Cathedral’s Annual Report and Accounts, which were approved by the chapter on 22 April, will be available next week.
The Electoral Roll has now been published and is available in the Cathedral or through the Cathedral Offices.
Read more →
Beating the Bounds - Sunday 10 May
Why not join us for a Rogation walk on Sunday 10 May? An invitation to any who wish to take part in the historic tradition of ‘Beating the Bounds’ that we are celebrating again this year! Following the 11:00am Sung Eucharist, we will walk the boundary of the cathedral parish. We set off along the seafront towards Clarence Pier and then through the city to the Guildhall.
The Deputy Lord Mayor has agreed to meet us at the Guildhall as we pray for God’s blessing on our parish and our city through this coming year. We will pause to picnic also on the Guildhall Steps. We then get the train from Portsmouth and Southsea to Portsmouth Harbour, as the train track itself marks our parish boundary. Then we take the Gosport Ferry across the harbour and back – in recognition that the Cathedral parish boundary is on the Gosport side of the channel! For those who wish to continue, we go on to walk round outside the dockyard and up to the International Ferry Port. The whole distance one way is about 4 miles.
You can walk back if you are feeling fit (about 1½ miles direct), or we can find a bus or arrange a car-share if preferred back from the ferry port. Please bring a drink and a sandwich – and sun cream if fine, or waterproofs if wet! It is a fun and friendly occasion, enjoying the open air and a chance to walk and talk together.
Contact Canon Jo for more information
Top-up the Tower! Thanks for your support so far!
We're thrilled to share that thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, we've already raised £1,520 towards the cost of repairing and redecorating our historic belfry, and we're so grateful to everyone who has contributed so far.
Our fundraising appeal is very much still open, and 2026 remains a rare and time-limited opportunity to complete this work affordably, so if you haven't yet had a chance to donate, there's still time to help us reach our goal.
As a timber structure, the belfry requires specialist maintenance and repair roughly every five to ten years to protect it from weather damage and decay — an essential cycle of care that preserves the structure and ensures the bells can continue to sound safely above the city.
Seafood on the Green - Saturday, 4 July
Join us for a sit-down al fresco lunch for seafood lovers. Taking place on the green at Portsmouth Cathedral, join us for and enjoy freshly prepared, locally sourced dishes, including seafood paella & platters, pâtés and delicious desserts!
Work with us…
Head of Finance
Portsmouth Cathedral is seeking an experienced finance professional to join its Senior Management Team as Head of Finance. This is a senior and wide-ranging role, combining strategic financial leadership with hands-on oversight of budgeting, forecasting, reporting, audit and compliance. You will advise Chapter on financial risk and sustainability, lead and develop our finance team, and drive improvements to systems and processes, including potentially establishing a new trading company.
Prayers & Intercessions
We pray for: Eliana and Zac, two of our choristers, confirmed last Sunday at St Simon's.
We pray for: the work of Christian Aid throughout the world.
We remember those for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Simon, Don, David, Ann, Marion, Gordon, Jean, Andrew, Tom, Wynne, Matthew, Paul, Pauline, Sylvia.
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Mary, Phil, Nigel, Jill, Abbie, Martin, Colin, Richard, Hazel, Spencer, Karen, Jennifer, Carole, Davina, Mathai, Philip, Chris, Graeme, Alistair, Ralph, Lila, Lotti.
We remember those who have died recently, including: Gerald Wheeler, Sam Samji, Edward Stanley, Marie Leafhead, Judith Bennett, Daphne Randle (Cathedral Memorial Service 2pm on Tuesday 19 May) RIP.