Weekly Notices | Sunday, 29 October 2023
A reflection from David Price
A couple of days ago I visited the Abbey Church of Vézelay in Burgundy, France. This beautiful church is, unusually, dedicated, to Mary Magdalene; sometimes called the Apostle to the Apostles, and often maligned in previous times, but the first to witness and attest to The Resurrection. The medieval monks of Vézelay asserted that Mary had walked on the summit of their town and that she was buried there. To many, her presence and her faith is tangible and pilgrims can follow her steps on the mount of Vézelay – now part of the crypt there and where her relics are held.
(The crypt at Vézelay)
Mary Magdalene undoubtedly followed in the steps of Christ – more closely than any of his contemporary followers. Do we follow in His steps? Do we fashion our lives in His image?
There are many ways we seek to do this at the cathedral through good works, prayer and action. We don’t always get it right but the coming week has much to offer and engage with. In addition, from Sunday I have the opportunity to talk about the work of the cathedral and my role through the Church of England’s Twitter/X account @OurCofELike. I will be telling it’s 18,500+ followers about what we do and say here. To join and follow if you would like here.
Saturday night sees us celebrating the wonder of God’s creation through music with The Solent Symphony Orchestra followed by a busy day of Sunday services as the choirs return from Half Term. Lunch Club is back on Monday (Fish Pie this week!) and daily Choral Evensong returns. Our Boy Choristers sing Evensong on their own on Tuesday as the Gents join the Girl Choristers for our 4pm broadcast of Choral Evensong live on Radio 3 on Wednesday for All Saints’ Day.
Thursday sees our traditional commemoration of All Souls at 5.45pm when we remember the recently departed – please remember too we have an additional chance to do this on Sunday 5th November at an evening Eucharist, especially for those who have died in the last year.
On Friday we will be hosting Uppsala Cathedral Choir who will sing Evensong alongside our own Cathedral Choir. Our Boy Choristers had an excellent time singing at Uppsala Cathedral last February and we are delighted to welcome them here for food, music and possibly football!
A busy week certainly alongside all our regular services, meetings, Tots, Pompey Sundays – will you walk alongside us and with us as we seek to offer our lives in His service?
David Price
Organist and Master of the Choristers
Community News
Celebrate Advent & Christmas at Portsmouth Cathedral
Celebrate the spirit of Advent and Christmas at Portsmouth Cathedral with traditional services and joyous events that capture the essence of the season. Our choirs are ready to fill the air with melodies that echo the good news of Christmas.
Join us for a journey through the festive season with Christmas Carols, Midnight Mass, and Christmas Day services. Once again, we’re delighted to be live-streaming and offering BSL interpretation at selected services (dates tbc), ensuring everyone can be a part of our celebration.
Our Christmas programme includes the popular annual Cathedral Christmas Fair, the delightful Carols on the Green, our Christmas Gift Market brimming with unique finds from local creatives. Plus an exciting addition for this year – Festive Film Screenings featuring beloved classics including Elf, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and Home Alone – we’ll also have a free screening of the CBeebies Panto ‘Dick Wittington and his Cat’ for the little ones!
Beyond our festive services and events, Portsmouth Cathedral warmly welcomes you to join us for daily for worship, or to explore our Cathedrals rich heritage. You’ll also find wide selection of unique gifts and decorations at our CathedralChristmas Shop, with every purchase contributing to the future of our Cathedral for generations to come.
Pick-up a programme today from the Cathedral or from outlets around the diocese. You can also find the full programmeon our website.
Remembrance Services & Poppy Appeal
Our services for Remembrance can now befound on our website.Poppies are available, by donation, from the shop area. The Poppy Appeal is the Royal British Legion's biggest fundraising campaign held every year in November, during the period of Remembrance. See other ways you can support, on theRoyal British Legion’s website.
Get Involved with our Christmas Fair!
Would you like to help our festive day of fun at the Christmas Fair run smoothly? We need volunteers to help with setup on Friday 8 December and to run a variety of stalls on Saturday 9 December. But there are lots of other ways you can help in this crucial fundraising event.
Read More →
Meet Dean Anthony
The latest in our series of informal opportunities to meet with Dean Anthony is on Wednesday 8 November at 1:00pm. The session will include the opportunity to comment on the Cathedral’s Outward Giving 2024-2027 which Chapter, the Cathedral’s governing body, will be considering when it meets on 22 November. More details will be available next week.
Exterior Scaffolding
Scheduled maintenance of the South Nave exterior walls has been delayed a number of times over the past year or so.
Scaffolding has now been erected and will be in place for approximately four weeks while this necessary repointing work is being completed on the lower walls. Work on the upper walls will take place next summer.
The work will not affect access to the building, and we apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused during these essential works. Projects such as these were identified by the 2021 Quinquennial Inspection of the building and are necessary to conserve our Cathedral building for generations to come. As always, projects such as these are made possible thanks to your continued support – thank you.
Learn more about supporting the Cathedral →
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.
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Philip, Myrna, Rosy Chris, Joan, Philip, Mathai, Nuno, Judith, Tom and all those in need.
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Ian, Janet, Renee, Richard, Rachel, Graeme, John, Alistair, Suzy, Alison and Jill.
We remember those who have died: Mavis Whitehead (Cathedral funeral Thursday 2 November 11am), Dawn Glover, Sandra Jones, Heather Greaves 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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