Weekly Notices | 14 September 2025

A Reflection by Dean Anthony

On Thursday a fox wandered around the cathedral, and popped it’s head into the sacristy to say hello to the vergers. Perhaps it had heard about the cat making its presence felt during last Sunday’s Taizé service, or that we welcome dogs and it didn’t want to miss out. In any event, the fox incursion reminded me that in recent years many parts of the worldwide church are seeing September as a ‘Season of Creation’, a focus of prayer and environmental action in the context of thanksgiving for God’s world and the natural environment in which we live. This builds on the English sense of late September as the time of Harvest Festivals, and indeed can be related to the Feast of St Francis of Assisi on 4 October. Increasing numbers of churches hold ‘Pet Services’ around then: we will be doing so a little later on 19 October. Given the number of dogs at the last one, I imagine foxes will stay well clear!

The ecological challenges of our time, relating to climate change, pollution and waste, and the huge reduction in the numbers of many species of animal, are well known. Urban foxes, as it happens, are on the increase, but their overall population is going down.

If the ‘Season of Creation’ is to add something meaningful to our marking of the Church’s year, beginning in Advent and proceeding through the great festivals of Christmas and Easter, it must surely be more than a reminder of what the secular world already knows about the environmental challenges we all face. What does it actually mean to speak of God as Creator within a Christian worshipping community?

Our faith affirms that God made everything that is. By itself, this is not necessarily good news. Amidst the wonders of nature, the world is governed by inexorable laws and forces – of gravity, of economics, of unforeseen destructive consequences to our actions, of disease, natural disaster and ongoing human violence. What are we to make of it all?

Christianity is a Trinitarian faith. While it is commonplace to say that explaining God as Trinity is difficult, it is precisely this that helps us grasp what it means to say ‘God is our Creator’. Understanding God as Trinity means that ‘just as Father, Son and Holy Spirit are inseparable, so do they work inseparably’ (Augustine of Hippo). Working together, the Father is the source and origin of all life, the Son is the one through whom ‘the world came into being’ (John 1.10) and in whom the meaning and purpose of that life is revealed, and the Spirit is God’s ongoing, life-giving presence in the world, working for harmony and peace. So yes, God’s creation is good news, but also an ongoing work in which we are all invited to participate.

I have come a long way from a fox wandering around the cathedral. Nonetheless I take this arrival as a living parable: a sign that the whole world is the temple of the Trinitarian God, alive with His creatures. The fox did not come to pray, but it belongs to God as much as we do, and God’s harmonious purposes include both human beings and animals. Sometimes God’s lessons, appropriately enough in this Season of Creation, arrive on four paws.

With my prayers and good wishes

The Very Reverend Dr Anthony Cane,
Dean of Portsmouth

Dates for your diary…

Choral Evensong with visiting choir - In Ecclesia – Saturday, 13 September at 5:45pm
Luther Vandross - The Candlelight Concert – Saturday, 13 September at 7:30pm
Choral Evensong with Installations to the Music Foundation – Sunday, 14 September at 5:45pm
Cathedral Lunch Club – Monday, 15 September at 12:30pm
Exploring the Bible - The Psalms – Tuesday, 16 September at 6:30pm
Lunchtime Live - David Price (organ) – Thursday, 18 September at 1:10pm
Heritage Open Days Specialist Tour - Outside – Friday, 19 September at 1:00pm

Community News

Heritage Open Days

A limited number of tour tickets have unexpectedly become available for Heritage Open Days.

If you missed out the first time, now’s your chance to book for our Outside Architecture Tour on the 19 September!

These tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis—so don’t wait! Get them here.

Afghanistan Earthquake Appeal

Our local Christian Aid fundraiser has been in touch to encourage us as a Cathedral community to contribute to their emergency Afghanistan Earthquake Appeal. Last week a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck eastern and rural Afghanistan - and shook buildings from Kabul to Pakistan's capital Islamabad – and has killed more than 800 people. Anything we can give will share hope with people in need, and ensure local responders can continue to support people who have lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones.

Sue Ward, who does so much to promote the vital work of Christian Aid, will make Emergency Appeal envelopes available in the Cathedral on Sunday. We invite you to please support this appeal if you can, either via one of these envelopes, or perhaps even better by donating now via this link:

Donate to Christian Aid here

The Countdown begins: 400 Chocolatey Treats, 86 Days, 1 Fair

As well as helping to run stalls such as Cakes, Jam & Preserves, Chocolate Tombola, Books, Toys & Jigsaws and the Raffle among others, there are many tasks to complete before the day such as; wrapping of the Santa’s Grotto presents, sourcing raffle prizes, inventing new games for the children to try, labelling items for the tombola stalls and helping to promote the event, to name but a few! Don’t forget that all the stalls rely on donations so please get stuck into making Cakes, Jams (Canon Jo has been making Damson Jam this year!), Preserves & Pickles or have a look around at home for unwanted Children’s toys, Paperback Fiction Books, Jigsaws, Homeware, Glass & China, Chocolate, Bottles of Spirits, Wine and Fizz, Jewellery & Scarves, as well as unused toiletries.

We won't start collecting most donations until early December but please keep them safe until then. The exception to this is chocolate for the chocolate tombola, which Ann Wilson has agreed to run again (Thank you Ann). During October & November, Ann will be aiming to collect 400 chocolate related items, please help her with that, by giving items to her or dropping them into the office.

If you'd like to get involved with the organisation or volunteer the day, on a stall you have helped on before, or a new one, then please drop Rachael a line here.

THANK YOU!!! I would be lost without all your amazing help and enthusiasm!

Save the date - Portsmouth Cathedral Christmas Fair 11:00am Saturday 6 December followed by Carols on the Green at 5:45pm. All proceeds from the Christmas Fair support the work and mission of Portsmouth Cathedral. Free to enter, donations gratefully received.

Harvest Festival - 21 September

At our Harvest Festival Services, we give thanks for 'all good gifts around us sent from heaven above.' In particular this year, as the Cathedral of the Sea we will have a special focus on the Harvest of the Sea.

Donations of Harvest goods as usual (not necessarily sea related!) are encouraged to support the work of the Roberts Centre and local foodbank.

Michaelmas Carol Service - 28 September

On Sunday 28 September at 5:45pm, we celebrate the presence and protection of St Michael and All Angels at our Michaelmas Carol Service. With special music and readings, we reflect on the ministry of the angels and all the unseen orders of creation who worship God with us. Singers from around the Diocese will be singing alongside our Cathedral Choir.

Parish Lunch Club Restarts and Coffee with Anna

Coffee with Anna will run alongside our existing Parish Lunch Club filling some of the alternate weeks when the Lunch Club cannot run. Coffee with Anna will run from 11am to 12:30pm on selected Mondays in Becket Hall. Anyone is welcome to drop in for a warm drink and a chat.

The Parish Lunch Club restarts on Monday 15 September providing the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends following the Summer break, as our fantastic volunteers create and serve a delicious two course meal followed by tea or coffee. New members are welcome to join the Parish Lunch Club which runs fortnightly during term time on Mondays and provides a sociable occasion to catch up and meet new friends. Arrive in good time at Becket Hall for lunch which is served at 12.30pm.

The cost of a two-course hot lunch is £5. New member registration details are taken on arrival. No booking required except for Christmas Lunch.

The autumn Anna Chaplaincy events will culminate with Coffee & Carols in the Cathedral on Monday 15 Dec at 11:00am followed by the final Parish Lunch Club - Christmas Lunch at 12:30pm.

Christmas carols and worship in an informal setting suitable for older people, including those with dementia.

Our Parish Lunch Club dates are available to view here.

Our Coffee with Anna dates can be viewed here.

Christmas meal including turkey, all the trimmings, a glass of wine and a raffle. Existing members only.

Bible reflections for Older people

The latest edition of the Bible Reading Fellowship's Bible reflections for older people is now available. There are contributions from two of our own Portsmouth Canons: Canon Angela Tilby and Canon Debbie Thrower. The Cathedral shop has copies in stock of the latest edition. These reflections are designed to bring hope, assurance and sustenance, reminding the reader of the presence and love of God. Each issue contains 40 Bible reflections and prayer suggestions to use and revisit as often as is needed. In the central section, Debbie Thrower of BRF’s The Gift of Years ministry (Founder of the Anna Chaplain movement and Canon of Honour here) offers interviews and ideas to encourage and inspire. Canon Angela Tilby offers a series of reflections on 'the Hope of Glory'.

Exploring the Bible: The Psalms

Part of our series of courses exploring the Bible, come and delve into the Psalms and learn about their history, how they are used in worship and prayer, and why they are significant to Christians today. Tuesday evenings in the Bishop Kenneth Room at 6:30pm-8:00pm, taking place on 16, 23, 30 September and 7 October

Please email Canon Harriet if you would like to attend.

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 weekend

8:00am – Holy Communion
9:30am – #PompeySundays
11:00am – Eucharist with Installation of a Member of Chapter and Head Girl Choristers
5:45pm – Choral Evensong with Installations to the Music Foundation

Prayers & Intercessions

We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Sarah, Mark, Paul, Wynne, Saphie, Michael, Trudie, Pauline, Davina, Susan, Karen, Abbie, Carole, Peter, George, Michael, baby Lottie and baby Lily.

We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Ralph, Marion, Stuart, Jill, Suzy, Richard, Graeme, Alistair, Chris, Mathai, Philip and Spencer.

We remember those who have died recently, including: Maureen Smith, William Blake and Anthea Hill RIP.