Weekly Notices | 13 July 2025
A reflection from Canon Harriet
Here at the Cathedral this week, we have been hosting the Diocesan Leavers’ Workshops and Services, with 34 schools taking part and 1300 children attending. The Leavers’ week is an opportunity for Year 6 pupils from CofE schools across the diocese to come together to celebrate their time in primary school, to reflect on their journey, and to begin to look ahead to the challenges of secondary school.
The theme of the week has been “Tri-wonder” – and the children have been encouraged to reflect on the wonder of creation on the land, in the sea, and in the air. In preparation for this week, each child has created an art-work which has been added to a cathedral art installation, and if you have walked through the Nave this week, you will have seen their work which features hundreds of creatures of land, sea and air. Each one has been beautifully decorated and has a prayer attached to it, some of which we have been using in our cathedral worship this week.
Our cathedral Learning and Schools Officer, Diana, and our team of Education Volunteers, have been leading the workshops alongside staff from the diocesan education team, and our thanks go to all of them for their enthusiasm, hard work, and dedication.I leave you now with some of the prayers written by the children. Perhaps you might like to make them your own during the week.
"Dear Lord,
Thank you for my family, friends and all the love you give.
Please help me to be kind, brave, and to do what’s right each day.
Guide me through hard times and fill my heart with peace. Amen."
"Dear God, thank you for blessing us with various sea creatures that roam around our oceans. Please help them survive and flourish. Amen."
"Dear God, I hope I have a good life. Amen."
"Dear God, thank you for Mother Earth and all the creatures that live on her and call this beautiful place home. Please help us to respect nature an the environment always. Amen."
"Holy Father,
You have given us everything we need.
Amazing and perfect, the great outdoors, this world, this universe, and beyond."
"Thank you for making us. Amen."
The Reverend Canon Harriet Neale-Stevens,
Canon Chancellor and Vice Dean
Dates for your diary…
Eucharist with Mary Rose Commemoration – Sunday, 13 July at 11:00am
The Word is Near – Wednesday, 16 July at 10:30am
#PompeyTots – Wednesday, 16 July at 2:00pm
Summer on the Southside – Saturday, 26 July at 1:00pm
Screen on the Green: Moonrise Kingdom (12) – Saturday, 26 July at 8:00pm
Community News
Pride and Prejudice – 6 August
Join us this summer for a stunning one-act adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, brought to life by the acclaimed company This Is My Theatre, as part of celebrations marking 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen.
Packed with rivalries, regrets and, of course, plenty of romance, this charming production revisits the beloved story of Elizabeth Bennet, whose quick judgements are put to the test when she encounters the dashing Mr Darcy. At least one of the Bennet sisters must marry well to secure the family’s future – but love, as always, is rarely straightforward.
Following the success of Persuasion (“Another triumph!” – Ingenue Magazine) and Jane Eyre (“A lovely production with an enchanted feel!” – Grapevine Live), This Is My Theatre promises another memorable evening. Described as “delightful in every way” and “rich in detail”, this performance is sure to enchant audiences of all ages.
Don’t miss out, book your tickets here!
Screen on the Green
Join us this summer for Screen on the Green – a free outdoor cinema experience for all ages. From animated favourites to timeless classics, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Bring a blanket and some cushions, settle in on the lawn, and enjoy an open-air screening under the evening sky.
This year’s line-up features:
🎬 Moonrise Kingdom (12) – 26 July
🎬 Labyrinth (U) – 2 August
🎬 Muppet Treasure Island (U) – 9 August
🎬 Moulin Rouge (12) – 16 August
No need to book – just come along and enjoy the show! Limited capacity - please arrive early. Find out more here.
Cathedral Choir
The Cathedral Choir year came to a close with final Evensongs and Farewells over last week, a BBC Choral Evensong sung with the Boy Choristers and then our Patronal Festival with Cathedral Consort. You can still hear the Radio 3 broadcast on BBC Sounds here. We are grateful to a large number of Visiting Choirs who are covering Summer Sundays and we'll be back in September.
Christian Aid Week 2025
The total raised for this year's Christian Aid Week appeal at the cathedral was £2197.27, plus £230.75 in gift aid. This gives a total of £2428.02. We are very grateful to all who gave, but sad that this is over £500 short of our target of £3000, which was exceeded last year. Without a few very generous donors it would have been far less.
Having been Christian Aid representative for nearly 20 years, I feel it's time to step down and make way for younger, more lively minds! Please contact me if you feel the call to offer this service. There is no worthier cause or greater need.
Sue Ward
Mary Rose Story
Ahead of this weekend’s annual memorial service, Dean Anthony joined staff and volunteers from the Mary Rose Museum to visit the wreck site of the Mary Rose. The team marked the anniversary of the ship’s sinking on 19 July 1545 by sharing a prayer from the 1984 memorial, listening to the Last Post, and casting roses into the Solent in remembrance.
Cathedral Music Trust Awards
The music departments of 27 cathedrals and churches in the UK will be supported to continue and expand their brilliant work, thanks to a £470,000 investment through our financial support programmes in 2025. Sitting at the heart of our commitment to championing excellence in all its forms, this vital funding will enable cathedrals and churches to keep providing opportunities for people from all walks of life to experience the life-transforming power of cathedral music.
“The invaluable work of our cathedral and church musicians enriches the lives of both participants and the communities in which they operate. At a time when the sector faces numerous financial challenges, this much-needed investment demonstrates Cathedral Music Trust’s dedication to securing the future of our world-renowned tradition.” – Jonathan Mayes, CEO, Cathedral Music Trust
Dr David Price said.
"Portsmouth Cathedral was at the forefront of cathedral outreach 25 years ago alongside Salisbury and Truro Cathedrals. We have sustained this work ever since and developed it ever wider and further. However, funding was becoming a challenge and so we are grateful to CMT for the chance to re-boot this work and relaunch our programme of works with local schools, churches and Diocese of Portsmouth."
You can read the full story here.
More than half way…
By Saturday 6 December the nights will have drawn in, the tree will be up, Christmas will be in full final preparation, and it’ll be too late to make jam, preserves and pickles.
So, if you have been blessed with a generous harvest of summer fruits and vegetables, please consider making a few jars of pickles and jams for the Christmas Fair this year - thank you. Don’t forget if you are having a clear out this summer then keep aside jewellery, scarves, handbags, jigsaws, summer reading novels and unused toiletry items. More about donations for this important fundraising event later in the year but if you’d like to get involved in the planning of this year’s event to help make it bigger and better than ever, please email here.
Thank you.
Eucharist with Mary Rose Commemoration - 13 July
On the Sunday before 19 July, the date that the Mary Rose sank in 1545, we welcome members of the Mary Rose Trust for a special commemoration within our 11:00am Eucharist. Sea Cadets from TS Mary Rose attend, and a wreath is laid on the grave of the member of the ship's company in the Cathedral as we remember lives lost on board King Henry VIII's flagship which sank in the Solent.
See more here.
Songs of Praise - 13 July
Our new Chief Operating Officer, Zoë Colbeck, will be taking part in Songs of Praise at 5:45pm and will be introducing one of her favourite hymns. Come to meet her and hear about her background and the journey that has brought her here.
Presented and led by Canon Angela Tilby, Songs of Praise returns again this year by popular demand! Other contributors will include Bryn Hughes (newly elected member of Chapter and former Lay Clerk of the Cathedral Choir), the Revd Kitty Price (curate at St Simon's), Elaine Bevis (one of our 8:00am congregation), and Santhosh Daniel (one of our Cathedral servers and intercessors).
Specialist Tour Tuesdays: Art Tour – 15 July
Explore the artworks that enrich the life of the Cathedral on this hour-long guided tour led by one of our knowledgeable Guides. Learn about striking pieces by artists including Annie Cattrell and Peter Eugene Ball and discover how art and faith intertwine in our sacred space.
Book online here.
Breast Cancer Now Afternoon Tea – 11 August
Many within our community have been directly or indirectly affected by breast cancer, so please join us and show your support for the charitable organisation ‘Breast Cancer Now’, who work to raise vital funds for research and for support services to help those affected by this terrible disease. Tea, coffee and cake. Becket Hall, Portsmouth Cathedral. 2:30pm – 3:30pm Monday 11 August. Free. Donations to ‘Breast Cancer Now’ gratefully received.
Public Notice - Welcome Area
Pursuant to Section 8 of the Care of Cathedrals Measure 2011 (Rule 5), Chapter have, earlier this week, applied to the Fabric Advisory Committee for approval of the proposal to install the necessary hardware into the South Tower Transept as part of the 'Welcome Area Project' - which is our National Lottery Heritage Fund project being run in partnership with the Mary Rose Museum.
Public notices are being displayed inside and outside the Cathedral with details of how to view the plans and how to make representations to the Fabric Advisory Committee before they review the application (and any representations) in early August.
Chapter
The Cathedral's governing body, Chapter, met on Tuesday. The meeting included welcomes to our new Chief Operating Officer, Zoë Colbeck and new trustees Marcelle de Sousa and Bryn Hughes. Chapter received reports on the Cathedral's finances and operations including Safeguarding and fabric issues. The design of the proposed new Welcome Desk and layout of the South Tower Transept was approved for application to the FAC
See the agenda on our download page 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.
Sunday 13 July
Fourth Sunday after Trinity
8:00am – Holy Communion
9:30am – #PompeySundays
11:00am – Eucharist with Mary Rose Commemoration
5:45pm – Summer Songs of Praise
Prayers & Intercessions
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Gordon, Erica, Abbie, Carole, Nicky, Ken, Tom, Tina, Damaris, baby Lottie and baby Lily.
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Marion, Richard, Graeme, Alistair, Chris, Suzy, Jill, Alison, Mathai, Philip and Spencer.
We remember those who have died recently, including:
John Austin, Michael Feaver, John Measey (Burial of ashes Saturday 19 July) 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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