Cathedral Notices - 28 June 2026
A reflection from Canon Harriet
This weekend is a busy one in the life of Portsmouth Cathedral. On Saturday we look forward to the Ordination of three deacons and eleven priests in our Diocese and on Sunday, as well as the usual round of worship, we will be joining together with representatives from the city and seafaring organisations and charities, including the Royal Navy, for our annual Seafarers’ Service at 11am.
Ordinations are a special time in the church year. And this year, not only do we celebrate our 14 new deacons and priests and pray for God’s blessings on their ministry and the parishes in which they serve, but we look forward to welcoming as our new Cathedral Curate, Stuart McKerracher, who will be ordained Deacon. Stuart will then serve his title here at the Cathedral.
Stuart will initially be ordained as a Deacon, and then this time next year, God willing, as a Priest. You may be interested to know a little more about what a Deacon is and what they do. And there is no better place to find out than through some of the beautiful and powerful words that will be used at the ordination service tomorrow:
Deacons are called to serve as heralds of Christ’s kingdom. They are to proclaim the gospel in word and deed, as agents of God’s purposes of love. They are to serve the community in which they are set, bringing to the Church the needs and hopes of all the people…to search out the poor and weak, the sick and lonely and those who are oppressed and powerless, reaching into the forgotten corners of the world, that the love of God may be made visible.
Deacons share in the pastoral ministry of the Church and in leading God’s people in worship. They preach the word and bring the needs of the world before the Church in intercession. They accompany those searching for faith and bring them to baptism. They assist in administering the sacraments; they distribute communion and minister to the sick and housebound. Deacons are to seek nourishment from the Scriptures; they are to study them with God’s people, that the whole Church may be equipped to live out the gospel in the world. They are to be faithful in prayer, expectant and watchful for the signs of God’s presence, as he reveals his kingdom among us.
This is a big job description! And no one can possibly undertake this work without the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. But much of it is also the work of all of us together, as Christians and followers of Christ. And so these words are worth pondering as you reflect on your own calling and faith journey, especially if you are at a cross-roads, or a point in life when you are reconsidering your direction of travel. So I invite you to read them slowly, and as we prepare to welcome Stuart to the Cathedral community and to support him in his learning and growth and new ministry, perhaps you might like to reflect on which part of the deacon’s “job description” most resonates with you in your own faith and following of Christ.
With every blessing,
Community News
Seafood on the Green - 4 July - What to expect…
Join us at Seafood on the Green on Saturday 4 July and perhaps as well as enjoying a freshly prepared seafood lunch you could win an amazing top prize or one of these fabulous hampers:
Cheese & Wine Hamper
Beauty Hamper
Food Lovers Hamper
Kids Hamper
Summer Things Hamper
The top prizes are: 1st prize £100 worth of M&S Vouchers, 2nd Prize £50 Portsmouth Theatre Vouchers, 3rd Prize Trio of wine (kindly donated by Camber Wines), 4th Prize Dave Thompson Southsea Print.
To have a chance of winning, grab your tickets at the Cathedral Shop or on the day. The draw will take place at 2pm during Seafood on the Green, so why not book to join us for a sit down al fresco lunch too? Tickets for Seafood on the Green are available here.
Proceeds supporting the Portsmouth Cathedral Choir Association. Email Rachael if you’d like to reserve a table or have dietary requests. A limited number of cheese platters can be arranged.
With thanks to our event sponsor Chinneck Shaw.
New Cathedral Curate
We look forward to welcoming Stuart McKerracher as part of the Cathedral Ministry Team following his ordination. His first services here will be on Sunday 28 June, when he will be the Deacon at our 5:45pm Eucharist.
Read more about Stuart here →
Congratulations to Krysia Butwilowska MBE
We are delighted to share the wonderful news that Krysia Butwilowska, Chair of the Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral, has been awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours list.
The honour recognises more than 50 years of dedicated service to education as a teacher, headteacher, and school governor. Krysia is a familiar and much-valued presence in the life of Old Portsmouth, and this recognition is richly deserved.
Reflecting on Generosity
This fortnight we shall be reflecting on generosity and how our giving can support the worship and mission of Portsmouth Cathedral.
If you would like to update your giving, please email us on fundraising@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk, or visit the Cathedral website for more information by following this link.
Choir Farewells
As at the end of every choir year, we shall be bidding farewell to some choristers as their time comes to an end in choir as well as this year's Scholars. But this year too we shall be saying thank you and good luck to Bass Lay Clerk Alex Wallace who has accepted the offer of a similar role at Chichester Cathedral.
'I have had an incredible time in Portsmouth Cathedral Choir, and have learned so much from Dr Price and the other members of the back row. Highlights include playing clarinet on a BBC broadcast, and tours to Denmark and Belgium! I'd like to thank everyone involved in the choir over my three years here for making it such a wonderful experience.'
We shall miss Alex's contribution to the sound of the choir and his immense expertise and musicality.
Cathedral Choir in the Diocese
This Sunday the Cathedral Choir will be singing Choral Evensong at 6.30pm in St Matthew's, Blackmoor and then on Friday 3 July at 6pm at The Church of The Ascension, Portsea. These services are all part of our commitment to take cathedral music and liturgy out to parishes in our diocese. Do join us there if you are able.
Monument of the Month
Exciting news – the memorial to Sir Charles Blount in the north tower transept has been chosen as this month's Monument of the Month by the Church Monuments Society. Do take a look on their website to discover more about this remarkable memorial in our Cathedral and its story. Read about it here
Christian Aid Week Grand Total
With immense gratitude to everyone who donated so generously to Christian Aid Week this year, we're pleased to announce that the total raised (so far!) is £2751.76 including Gift Aid which totalled £304.40. The Big Breakfast raised £468.12 and a Cream Tea at Hartford House raised £465. Thanks to all who helped in any way.
Sue Ward
50th Anniversary Eucharist
Godfrey Hilliard is celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of his Ordination to the priesthood on 29 June and he will preside at a Eucharist in the Cathedral at 1745. Refreshments after in the nave. All welcome to celebrate with Godfrey and his family.
Work with us… Career Opportunities at Portsmouth Cathedral
We have several career opportunities available currently; please see our careers page for further information, and how to apply.
We're hiring two Events & Marketing Assistants at Portsmouth Cathedral, a hands-on role spanning events, venue hire, and marketing in one of Portsmouth's most distinctive settings.
Prayers & Intercessions
We pray for those Ordained on Saturday including, as Deacon, Stuart McKerracher - and, as Priests, Kitty Price and Chris Nicol
We remember those for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: William, Simon, Pauline, Hillary, John, Ann, David, Marion, Jean, Andrew, Tom, Matthew, Paul, Sylvia, Anne and Rebecca.
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Gordon, Mary, Abbie, Wynne, Jill, Nigel, Martin, Colin, Richard, Hazel, Spencer, Jennifer, Karen, Carole, Davina, Philip, Mathai, Chris, Graeme, Alistair, Ralph, Lotti, Lila, Elizabeth.
We remember those who have died recently, including: Don Valler, Margaret Fiddy, Sandra Carr, Linda Green (Cathedral funeral 11am on Monday 6th July), Annabel Benton (Cathedral memorial service 2.30pm on Monday 13th July), Mary Tillman RIP