Weekly Notices | 20 July 2025
A reflection from Canon Jo
A young member of the Pompey Sunday congregation came up with an apt answer last Sunday, as we reflected on the parable of the Good Samaritan, to the question: ‘What could we do to help people?’ ‘Not rob them in the first place!’ she said.
This insight was in my mind on Tuesday, as the Cathedral staff team had a Cybersecurity briefing delivered by Anthony from the Cathedral's IT managers, Zinq IT. It was a sad acknowledgement of how many ways and means the unscrupulous may try in attempting to rob others.
Basically the advice we heard was: if an email or phone call is suspicious in any way, don’t trust it. Even if there is an urgent request for help, don’t fall for it. When our charitable and Christian instincts are to want to trust and to help, it can be very hard to develop this sort of wariness and suspicion.
There are many ploys we were told about: all called after forms of ‘phishing’ – in other words fishing trips for financial or personal information that are entirely fake.
There is ‘smishing’ – using SMS text messages. (I’ve had several of these recently telling me that I’ve not yet claimed my winter fuel allowance!)
There is ‘quishing’ – using fake QR codes. Be wary of these in carparks where false stickers can be put over genuine ones. Even the IT trainer said he would pay by card at a machine to be safe, rather than scanning a QR sticker.
There is ‘vishing’ – an oldfashioned voice phone call that might say, apparently helpfully, that it’s the bank just checking some irregular activity on your account. The advice here is always to hang up and phone back a number you know for your bank – and don’t be rushed by the sense of urgency they may try to create.
And with the email versions there can be ‘malware phishing’ – or sending an attachment (‘the CV you requested’/’the invoice you need to check’) which if you open it will allow malware into your device.
There is ‘spear fishing’ – using some knowledge gathered from elsewhere about your interests or your role to try to make them sound more friendly and plausible.
Or there is ‘whale fishing’ – pretending to be the big boss, someone important (the Dean or the Bishop perhaps) who you are more likely to respond to and do what they are asking. Again a sense of urgency might be a warning sign, trying to stop you pausing to check whether the request is genuine.
With emails and texts there can be telltale mistakes: spelling, an odd-looking logo, a strange web-address or mobile number to reply to. And for those who like internet browsing, do check that the website is secure: the safest ones are marked HTTPS with the S standing for ‘secure’.
I hope that passing on these hints will not make you feel more worried but help you all feel more secure, and you may be able to pass on advice to family and friends. Jesus tells us, ‘Be wise as serpents and as innocent as doves’ (Matt. 10.16). This is certainly an area where we need to learn wisdom – when there are these new and modern ways people may use to harm others.
In baptism we are given God’s grace to stand up against evil and stand bravely with Christ. Even as we trust God implicitly and absolutely, and hope that we are trustworthy ourselves, we are reminded that trust other people may be misplaced. But God will give us the resources, and the wisdom, we need.
Jesus says: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16.33 KJV)
The Reverend Canon Jo Spreadbury,
Canon Precentor
Dates for your diary…
Summer on the Southside – Saturday, 26 July at 1:00pm
Screen on the Green: Moonrise Kingdom (12) – Saturday, 26 July at 8:00pm
Yoga at the Cathedral – Saturday, 2 August at 10:30am
Summer on the Southside – Saturday, 2 August at 1:00pm
Screen on the Green: Labyrinth (U) – Saturday, 2 August 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
Tough Mudder
Thank you to all who donated towards the choir's Tough Mudder Run - we raised just over £2,790 - well over our target. Thank you so much who helped us raise this incredible sum for Macmillan Cancer.
You can still donate here for a few more days...
Mary Rose Story
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.
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
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.
Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral Yearbook
The 2025 edition of the Friends Yearbook has been sent to members this week. In addition to the regular round-up of reports on different areas of the work of the Cathedral, this year there’s an article from the Cathedral Archivist about preparations in 1925, arising from the establishment of a new diocese, for a Cathedral, diocesan house and a bishop’s residence. With the centenary of the establishment of the Cathedral just two years away in 2027, this fascinating article makes timely reading, along with a number of additional articles and details of events.
As the name suggests, the Friends publish the Yearbook annually, along with two newsletters, in addition to holding a number of events throughout the year.
Learn more about membership of the Friends here.
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.
Join the Team
We are looking for two part-time members of staff at this exciting time to join our team and make a real difference to the future of Portsmouth Cathedral.
Interim Finance Officer - Portsmouth Cathedral is seeking an experienced Finance Manager on a temporary contract. Working with the new Chief Finance Officer you will support the ongoing development of our accountancy systems and processes, building on the work of the previous Finance Officer.
Development Officer - We are looking for a Development Officer to support Portsmouth Cathedral’s fundraising and development activities. This new role, which is grant funded by the Cathedrals Sustainability Fund, will work closely with the Head of Development & Fundraising to grow income, improve communication with donors, and help deliver key projects that support the Cathedral’s mission. This is an exciting opportunity to join our team and make a real difference to the future of Portsmouth Cathedral.
Details including closing dates are available for both roles on our careers page.
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 20 July
8:00am – Holy Communion
9:30am – #PompeySundays
11:00am – Eucharist
5:45pm – Choral Evensong
Prayers & Intercessions
We pray for: all confirmed at Saturday's Diocesan Confirmation service, including David and Lesia from our Cathedral congregation.
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Gordon, Stuart, Erica, Abbie, June, Carole, Nicky, Ken, Tom, Tina, Damaris, baby Lottie and baby Lily, Peter and George.
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Marion, Alistair, Graeme, Richard, Chris, Suzy, Jill, Alison, Philip, Mathai 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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