Weekly Notices | 28 April 2024
A reflection from Catherine
As I write, I am at something of a crossroads: my time in curacy will be coming to an end in the autumn and I am in the process of discerning what is next for me after the Cathedral. It feels like a strange limbo time, with nothing immediately obvious on the horizon and yet a trust that something new will emerge eventually.
It’s interesting to notice my thought patterns in this process and how often I feel a ‘should’ about an idea for the future. As a self-supporting priest, I sometimes hear a voice in my head saying I ‘should’ go into stipendiary ministry and take on a parish. I ‘should’ go house-for-duty somewhere. (“Because, after all,” the rather supercilious voice inside me says, “that is what priests do who are serious about this stuff”). Of course, for many priests that path is absolutely their calling; it is a glorious thing and a blessing both to them and others.
What I know though is that generally speaking ‘shoulds’ tend to come from a place of insecurity rather than a place of life and fullness. They don’t usually bring greater freedom. Gerald Hughes SJ has a lovely phrase - ‘the hardening of the oughteries’ - to describe what happens when we follow the ‘shoulds’. What is sure is that God is calling us into life, and whatever choice or path it is we are looking to discern, we need to consider what will be life-giving for us in it. It might end up being a surprise and unexpected; we might not feel equipped for the task, but it will ultimately be life-giving.
In this uncertain period of exploration, I go back to the times I have been very sure of God’s calling and hold fast to them. I return to the visceral sense I had back in 2015 of God’s overwhelming love both for me and for everyone, how much God longs for people to know that love, and that I knew I had to do something more about it.
I also take heart from the promise of Christ’s presence with me in everything. In the gospel passage for this Sunday (John 15.1-8) Jesus says ‘I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.’ We are called to abide in Christ and to remember that Christ also lives in us. As we trust in God’s strength (and don’t try to make things happen on our own!), we will bear fruit. We might not know yet what that fruit will be, but what matters above all is that we trust in God’s grace and provision for us.
On that basis I move forward, explore options and see which doors open. Watch this space!
The Reverend Catherine Edenborough,
Cathedral Curate
Christian Aid Week: 12–18 May
Christian Aid Week is coming soon. Last year the cathedral raised a magnificent £2500+, most of which came in envelopes from our church and local communities. Carole King and Sue Ward invited friends and neighbours to a Cream Tea, raising over £300.
This year, we would love it if as many people as possible would hold a similar event; a coffee morning, a tea party or even a slap-up meal in their own homes to raise as much money as they can for this very needy cause by inviting people we don’t reach normally!
Climate change, conflicts and rising prices are all having a devastating effect on the poorest countries especially in today’s troubled world. Please support them in any way you can this Christian Aid Week!
Please speak to Sue or Carole for more information
Portsmouth Cathedral welcomes home organist Roger Sayer for a special "Interstellar" concert.
Portsmouth Cathedral is excited to announce a homecoming celebration for renowned organist Roger Sayer, who will return to his roots for a very special concert commemorating the 10th anniversary of Christopher Nolan's epic film "Interstellar," as well as the soundtrack composed by Hans Zimmer, with whom Roger collaborated on the organ pieces.
Roger Sayer's musical journey began in Portsmouth, where he was born and raised. At the age of 11, he had his first organ lesson at Portsmouth Cathedral, laying the groundwork for a remarkable career that has taken him to prestigious venues all over the world. Now he's returning to where it all began, to share his extraordinary talent with the community that nurtured it.
The concert promises to be an unforgettable experience for fans of both the film and exceptional music. Audiences can relive the magic of "Interstellar" as Roger Sayer performs the iconic soundtrack live on our Nicholson organ.
Tickets for this very special event are now on sale, and due to the anticipated high demand, early booking is strongly recommended. Don't miss your chance to be a part of this historic event as Portsmouth Cathedral welcomes back one of its own for an evening of music, memories, and celebration.
For tickets and more information, visit our website or book in person at the Cathedral Shop.
Book online →
Beating the Bounds - Sunday 5 May
On Sunday 5 May – Rogation Sunday - following the 11:00am Sung Eucharist we will walk the boundary of the Cathedral parish. This includes going along the seafront towards Clarence Pier and then through the City to the Guildhall.
We hope the Lord Mayor may be able to meet us at the Guildhall as we pray for God’s blessing on our parish and our City through this coming year. We will pause to picnic also on the Guildhall Steps. After this we travel by train from Portsmouth and Southsea to Portsmouth Harbour, as the train track itself marks our parish boundary. Then we take the Gosport Ferry across the harbour and back – in recognition that the Cathedral parish boundary is on the Gosport side of the channel!
We go on to walk round outside the Dockyard and up to the International Ferry Port. The distance one way is about 4 miles. You can come part of the way or meet us and join in enroute if you prefer. You could walk back to the Cathedral at the end if you are feeling fit (about 1½ miles direct) or we can find a bus or arrange a car-share if preferred back from the Ferry Port.
Please bring drinks and a sandwich - and sun cream if fine, or waterproofs if wet! It is a fun and friendly occasion, enjoying the open air and a chance to walk and talk together - and discovering more about our Cathedral parish.
More information and expressions of interest, please contact Canon Jo.
Congratulations to former Curate, Hannah Barraclough!
We're thrilled to share some exciting news with you all! Former member of our Portsmouth Cathedral team, Revd. Hannah Barraclough, has recently accepted a new position as Associate Vicar at Tewkesbury Abbey.
As she embarks on this new chapter at Tewkesbury Abbey, we have no doubt that Hannah will continue to shine brightly, bringing Hannah’s unique blend of skills, compassion, and dedication to Hannah’s new role. Though we miss Hannah’s presence here at Portsmouth Cathedral, we couldn't be prouder of Hannah’s accomplishments and are excited to see the incredible work Hannah will undoubtedly undertake at Tewkesbury Abbey.
Please join us in congratulating Hannah on her new position and wishing her all the best in this exciting journey ahead!
Summer Celebration Saturday 1 June
Plans are coming together for our community wide Summer Celebration event on Saturday 1 June. Turning our April Fool joke into reality, is Em’s Friendly Farm and helping the children become animals, will be face painter Steph from Fantazzy Face Painting.
Raffle prizes are steadily coming in including a Framed A4 Print of Old Portsmouth (Spice Island) at Sunset from Williamson Photography, Greek cold pressed oil from Julie at Mama’s Olive Oil, an Arts & Crafts Hamper from Jenny at The Creation Station and much more…
Running from 11:30am for 3 hours, the Summer Celebration will include live outside entertainment by Jazz & Easy-listening singer ‘Stacey Mogg’, BBQ, strawberries and cream, children’s activities, lots of cathedral led stalls such as ‘Douse the Dean’, raffle, bottle tombola, cupcakes, books, jigsaw, flowers etc as well as stalls lead by local charities and community groups.
Want to get involved before or on the day? From painting to cupcake making, raffle ticket selling or prize gathering, event promotion and running a BBQ. If you have some time to spare before or on the day, please speak to Jude or Rachael.
Thank you!
Election of non-executive Chapter Member
The election of a non-executive trustee will take place in electronically, as required by the Statutes, between 27 April and 10 May. All those on the Electoral Roll for whom we hold email addresses will receive an invitation to vote.
Please contact the Cathedral Offices if you do not receive an invitation to vote and think that you are on the roll or would like more information about the voting process.
Contact through election@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk or 023 9289 2963.
Revision of Electoral Roll and Annual Parochial Church Meeting
The revised version of the Electoral Roll, and names removed from the Roll are now on display in the Cathedral or in the Cathedral Offices.
This year's Annual Parochial Church Meeting and Parish Meeting will take place on Sunday 12 May at 12.30pm. The APCM will include the presentation of the 2023 accounts. The minutes for this last years meeting can be found on our downloads page. Apologies for meetings can be sent to info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk.
The annual election of churchwardens will take place during the Parish Meeting. Nomination forms are available from the Cathedral Welcome area and also from our website.
Chapter
Chapter, the Cathedral’s governing body met on Thursday with our auditors to approve the 2023 Annual Accounts which will be published next week. The meeting also received a presentation by Head of Fundraising, CP Robinson and reports on different areas of the Cathedral’s operations including safeguarding.
Join our team
Assistant Verger and Precincts Officer (Maternity Cover)
We will be advertising a vacancy shortly for a full-time (up to 40 hours per week) Assistant Verger and Precincts Officer through Charity Job. The opportunity is to provide cover from June while our Head Verger and Precincts Manager, Malina, is on maternity leave.
Prayers & Intercessions
We pray for: Lucas Gunga who will be baptised next Sunday, the son of Sachin and Hannah.
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Marilyn, Tom, Andrew, Duncan, Wendy, Jan, Chris, Aidan, Alison, Rosy, Richard, Catherine, Bevan and all in need.
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Muriel, Rachel, John, Suzy, Jill, Philip, Mathai, Alistair, Graeme and Janet.
We remember those who have died: Margaret Sherwin (funeral at The Oaks Thursday 2nd May at 10.45am), Margaret Townson (Cathedral funeral Tuesday 14th May at 1.45pm), Graham Lloyd, Margaret Purnell and Joan Lowe
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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