Weekly Notices | 25 May 2025
A Reflection from
Kitty Price
In my last reflections I wrote about change, knowing that the news of my ordination would soon be public. Each year at this time in the term, it is clear that the end of the choir year is in sight. Choristers and gappers are preparing to move on, and David and I are preparing for the bittersweet moment when they fly away. I do find it hard always being the one left behind, and it doesn’t get any easier as the years progress; my heart hurts but it expands to welcome the next lot.
Now I face being the one to move away as I start my curacy at St Simon’s, Southsea, at the end of June following the ordinations. It’s a strange time because I am following my vocation, which is exciting as this has been a long time coming, but it comes at a cost – I have to change my focus from the Cathedral to St Simon’s Church. I won’t disappear entirely – I live next door, so I will still attend some services and events, and I will continue to support David in his work with the Choir - but it won’t be the same.
The irony of wishing I wasn’t the one left behind all the time is not lost on me.
I think God has an excellent sense of humour! One of the hymns that keeps popping into my head is John Bell’s The Summons, whose opening line is, ‘Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?’ God calls us all by name and takes us to unexpected places. I have been part of the Cathedral community for nearly 30 years, so you’ll have to try harder to get rid of me completely! My heart will just have to expand to hold more people in it; with countless gappers over the years it has had a lot of practice. Please hold me in your prayers, along with Jackie Twine and the St Simon’s community. I will, of course, continue to pray for you.
Kitty Price,
Cathedral Reader (not for much longer)
Dates for your diary…
Vivaldi's Four Seasons and The Lark Ascending by Candlelight – Saturday, 24 May at 7:30pm
#PompeyTots – Wednesday, 28 May at 2:00pm
Lunchtime Live - Thomas Watkin – Thursday, 29 May at 1:10pm
Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral - Coffee Morning – Tuesday, 3 June at 10:30am
#PompeyTots – Wednesday, 4 June at 2:00pm
Lunchtime Live - Adrian Green & Gillian Thompson (voice & piano) – Thursday, 5 June at 1:10pm
The Big Lunch - High Tea – Saturday, 7 June at 3:00pm
Community News
The Word is Near Update
Please note that there will be no Word is Near on Wednesday 28 May - we return on Wednesday 4 June, 10:30-11:30am in the Bishop Kenneth Room.
Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral Coffee Morning - Tuesday 3 June from 10:30am
Enjoy a warm welcome over coffee and cake, and hear from our guest speaker, Mark Button, who will be sharing insights on 'How to avoid being scammed' – a timely and important topic. A lovely opportunity to meet the Friends and enjoy some light refreshments together. Donations invited. For more information about the Friends click here.
The Big Lunch - High Tea Saturday 7 June 3:00-4:00pm
Join us for a celebration of the end of volunteering week. Relax and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a slice of cake and take the opportunity to meet like-minded people from across the city.
Portsmouth Cathedral relies on its volunteers every day to support the worship that happens throughout the week and also to help us ensure special events run smoothly. We are not unusual though as many organisations across the city rely on thousands of volunteers. Come and join us for tea, coffee, and cake as we celebrate the end of the national volunteering week, meet some like-minded people and perhaps make some new friends.
Let us know that you're coming so we don't buy too much cake! Book your tickets here - free entry.
Thy Kingdom Come: City Prayer Pilgrimage – Sunday 8 June
As part of our support of the global call to prayer for Thy Kingdom Come the Anglican Portsmouth Diocese will be hosting a Prayer Pilgrimage around the city - the prayer map will be out from Sunday 1 June followed by a Prayer Celebration Service on Pentecost Sunday 8 June 2025. We would love to invite all Christians from all churches across the city. This will follow 6 other similar walks across the diocese from 2-7 June.
The walk will start at Portsmouth Anglican Cathedral at 12.30pm and concludes back at the Cathedral where there will be a celebration prayer service at 7.15pm. The walk is a loop of about 14 miles and there are various points to join along the way. Everyone is welcome to come and join in and walk for as far they want to as we pray for our city.
Read more Thy Kingdom Come - Diocese of Portsmouth
Cathedral Cycle Relay Event 2025
We're looking for a new Cathedral Cycle Champion!
For this year's relay Portsmouth is in the middle of the stage from Chichester Cathedral (19 miles) on Wednesday 11 June on its way to Winchester Cathedral (30 miles) the same day. So there will be opportunities to welcome the cyclists and baton to Portsmouth around midday, and for cyclists to join one or both stages. The Chichester-Portsmouth ride is flat and almost all on cycle paths, with a train to get there. The Winchester section has some hills but is very scenic. You can get the train back.
The role involves being an advocate for cycle use in our personal lives and in our journeys to and from the Cathedral . The Champion works with the staff team to help publicise events. The Champion will help to ensure that we increase the ability of those visiting and worshipping at the Cathedral to use pedal power to get to and from here (e.g. bike storage, safer routes).
If you're interested please contact the Dean here.
Seafood on the Green – Saturday 21 June
Join us for an unforgettable experience for seafood lovers, with a variety of locally sourced dishes, with proceeds supporting the Portsmouth Cathedral Choir Association. Taking place on the green at Portsmouth Cathedral, providing a stunning backdrop for the foodie festivities, take the opportunity to enjoy freshly prepared dishes, including seafood paella & platters, pâtés and delicious desserts!
For more information, please visit our website here and book tickets early, as the Paella portions are limited and to help us reduce food waste!
We're Running a Raffle at Seafood on the Green Saturday 21 June
The PCCA hopes that you can join us for Seafood on the Green on Saturday, the 21 June from 12:00pm to 2:30pm, but if you can't then you can still join in the fun...
New this year - we're going to be running a raffle so even if you can't join us on the day you can still take part in the fun by purchasing some raffle tickets. Prizes include £100 John Lewis voucher, Cheese and Wine Hamper, Pamper Hamper and lots more.
Tickets are available from the Cathedral shop.
Don't forget that the La Paella Paella company are joining us this year and cooking up a feast. Their luxury seafood paella includes a mouth-watering selection of seafood; king prawns, calamari rings, mussels, and langoustine sautéed in garlic, tomatoes, saffron, mixed Mediterranean spices & authentic Spanish rice. It's the perfect way to spend a summer day, don't miss out on this opportunity to experience one of the highlights of Portsmouth's foodie calendar.
For more information, please visit our website and book tickets early, as the Paella portions are limited and to help us reduce food waste! We hope to see you there, but even if you can't make it, do buy some raffle tickets
Thank you for your support of The Portsmouth Cathedral Choir Association.
Result of Elections
The Annual Meeting of Parishioners and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting were held on Thursday 22 May. Sheila Picton and Ronald Rabbetts were elected to serve as Churchwardens and the result of the election for a member of Chapter was announced, Bryn Hughes having been elected to serve for three years. The full results can be seen here. A report on the meetings will be included in next week's notices.
Tough Mudder Madness
Some of our Choral Scholars and David Price are running Tough Mudder on Saturday 5 July - 12 obstacles over a 5km run at Belvoir Castle and lots of mud.
This madness is in a good cause - we are aiming to raise £2,500 for Macmillan Cancer Support. We're a third of the way there in our fundraising - but any help you give to get us to the target amount (or beyond) by July would be much appreciated.
You can donate 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 25 May –
Sixth Sunday of Easter
8:00am - Holy Communion
9:30am - #PompeySundays
11:00am - Eucharist
5:45pm - Evensong
The Cathedral Choir (Boys) is singing services and concerts in Antwerp and Mechelen this weekend.
Late Spring Bank Holiday - 26 May
Please note that Morning Prayer and Holy Communion will be at 9.00am and 9.20am on Monday. The Cathedral Offices will be closed for the Bank Holiday.
Prayers & Intercessions
We pray for: Brendan and Angie married here this week, and for Owen and Natalie to be married here next Saturday. Also for Arthur to be baptised on Sunday - and his family and Godparents.
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Margaret, Carole, Ken, Tina, Francine, Tom, Peter, baby Lottie and her family.
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Marion, Chris, Richard, Alistair, Graeme, Spencer, Suzy, Jill, Alison, Mathai, Philip and all in need.
We remember those who have died recently, including:
Jim Cane, Jon Devereux, Luca and John RIP.
Upcoming Services & Events
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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