Weekly Notices | 27 July 2025
A reflection from Canon Nick
The school holidays have begun in earnest now. I am enjoying the reduced traffic on the roads. More people are trekking past the Cathedral heading for the beach in bathing costumes etc. The students are back, however, and going in the other direction as they go to collect their degrees awards with happy families and friends and all dressed up in ways they almost never did as students! Many of them are from other parts of the world and it is great to see how many want to come and learn here.
It is a wide diversity of life we see outside the Cathedral and sometimes inside as well. This diversity is good and a sign of a healthy community. We regularly pray for them all. Traditionally in our prayers we pray for the Church, the World, the Nation, the Community, the Sick and remember those who have died but it was one disciple who noticed something about how Jesus prayed and asked that he would teach them how to do it, that led to the Lord’s prayer. Without that disciple noticing and asking, it is hard to think that we might not have had this prayer, the most famous prayer in Christendom, one which unites Christians across all denominations. And it begins we us praying together, Our Father, not My Father, it is about us praying collectively together.
There are a whole range of things going on in the next few weeks so do look out for the things that might interest you and do please come along and support them. They are all on the website or you can just come in and see when it suits. Why not invite a friend along and give them a chance to see it and perhaps have a look around?
The Reverend Canon Nick Ralph,
Residentiary Canon
Dates for your diary…
Screen on the Green: Moonrise Kingdom (12) – Saturday, 26 July at 8:00pm
Yoga at the Cathedral – Saturday, 2 August at 10:30am
Screen on the Green: Labyrinth (U) – Saturday, 2 August at 8:00pm
Pride and Prejudice - This is My Theatre – Wednesday, 6 August at 7:30pm
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.
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.
Harvest Barn Dance - 20 September
Promenade those cowboy boots and allemande in your checked shirt through an evening of lively traditional dancing.
Our annual Harvest Barn Dance is back, with entertainment lead by the popular Woodsiders Ceilidh & Barn Dance Band. Join us for an exhilarating evening and succulent supper of roasted loin of pork or stuffed pepper. Doors open 6:30pm, dancing commences at 7:00pm with a break for supper at 8pm.
Portsmouth Cathedral Nave. Tickets include supper. Adults £22.50, Children £11. Under 5s and small dogs free, cash bar.
This is a fundraising event for Portsmouth Cathedral Choir Association.
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.
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 27 July
8:00am – Holy Communion
9:30am – #PompeySundays
11:00am – Eucharist
5:45pm – Choral Evensong
Prayers & Intercessions
We pray for: David and Lesia, who were confirmed last weekend; and Victoria and Bradley who were baptised last Sunday.
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Gordon, Abbie, June, Erica, Carole, Nicky, Ken, Tom, Tina, Damaris, baby Lily and baby Lottie.
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Marion, Stuart, Alistair, Graeme, Richard, Chris, Suzy, Jill, Alison, Mathai, Kathleen Turner, Philip and Spencer.
We remember those who have died recently, including:
John Austin, Michael Feaver 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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