Weekly Notices | Sunday, 8 February 2026

The Coat of Hopes will be at the Cathedral this Sunday!

A reflection from Canon Harriet

At the beginning of this week, on Monday, we celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, more commonly known as Candlemas. During the service, the crib was gradually removed, and the liturgy moved us to turn from the light of Christmas to begin to face the cross and beyond.

This year, Easter falls early which means there are only two Sundays before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (18th February). It’s a quick mood change as we leave Christmas and Epiphany behind. But perhaps also, this swiftness of the changing church seasons this year, gives us a sense of what the disciples must have felt as they followed Jesus on this rollercoaster journey of discovering who he was, why he was, and where he was leading them.

There is lots to get involved in at the Cathedral during Lent if you are looking to make space for study, prayer and worship. The Cathedral will be hosting a Lent art exhibition called Sanctuary, by Nicholas Mynheer, exploring the plight of the refugee, and this year our Lent Course will be based on the exhibition, focusing on biblical themes of journey, rescue and redemption. On Wednesday 25th February, at 6.30pm, Nicholas will give a talk on the paintings and sculptures that make up the Sanctuary exhibition, exploring the context and spirituality behind them. Do come along, he is an inspiring speaker.

But before we reach Lent, this Sunday, there will be a Congregational Tea at 4pm in the Nave (please sign up via the email notices) along with an opportunity to view the Coat of Hopes, currently being worn in pilgrimage along the south coast to raise awareness of climate change. All are very welcome!

With every blessing,

Harriet Neale-Stevens
Canon Chancellor and Vice Dean

Dates for your diary…

Yoga at the Cathedral – Saturday, 7 February at 10:30am
Congregational Tea – Sunday, 8 February at 4:00pm
Small Sounds – Tuesday, 10 February at 10:00am
The Word is Near – Wednesday, 11 February at 10:15am
#PompeyTots – Wednesday, 11 February at 2:00pm
Lunchtime Live: Musicians from PGS – Thursday, 12 February at 1:10pm
Small Sounds – Tuesday, 17 February at 10:00am
Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes – Wednesday, 18 February at 8:00am

Community News

Lent, Holy Week and a Season of Sanctuary at Portsmouth Cathedral

As we journey from Lent towards Easter, Portsmouth Cathedral invites you to pause, reflect and walk with us through this most meaningful season of the Christian year. From the solemnity of Holy Week to the joy of Easter Day, our services and events offer space to follow the story of Jesus – his courage, his suffering, and the hope his resurrection brings.

Alongside services, we are hosting 'Sanctuary', an exhibition by artist Nicholas Mynheer open daily from 18 February to 12 April. Through paintings and sculpture, Mynheer explores stories of refuge and displacement, from the Holy Family fleeing to Egypt to those seeking safety today. The exhibition is open daily and free to visit during our standard hours.

This season also includes a four‑week Lent course, starting Wednesday 25 February, with the first session led by Nicholas Mynheer himself. Each week offers an opportunity to reflect more deeply on themes of journey, rescue and redemption, finishing with Compline in St Thomas’s Chapel.

We warmly invite you to visit, whether for worship, quiet contemplation, the exhibition, or one of our seasonal events.

Details of all Lent, Holy Week and Easter services can be found on our website →

Early Music is for Everyone: Festival Returns to Portsmouth Cathedral

This spring, from 5 to 14 March 2026, the Festival of Early Music returns to Portsmouth Cathedral with a clear and confident message: early music is for everyone. The festival invites people of all ages and backgrounds to discover the colour, emotion and relevance of music from centuries past, in a programme designed to be welcoming, accessible and full of life.

At the heart of this year’s festival is a renewed commitment to opening doors. Whether you are discovering live music through our Small Sounds sessions for babies and toddlers, exploring new sounds as a student, or returning to concerts later in life, the Festival of Early Music offers a warm invitation to take part.

Across nine days, musicians, ensembles and community partners come together to show that early music belongs far beyond traditional concert halls. Performances will take place in the Cathedral and reach into its wider life, weaving through worship, education and community activity, creating moments of connection where history meets the present day.

Read more and book online →

Suggestions for Lent reading

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday which this year is 18 February. Below are some suggestions from among this year's Lent books.

You can order these from an independent bookseller, like One Tree Books in Petersfield, or St Olave's Bookshop in Chichester. Our Cathedral Shop has available some other Lent book titles from previous years.

Or you can go online and register for The Everyday Faith app which will carry reflections for adults every Monday to Saturday throughout Lent, based on the booklet 'Draw Near'. And the Everyday Faith app will continue to offer content into the season of Easter and beyond

Read more on our blog →

Sanctuary: a series of paintings and sculptures by artist Nicholas Mynheer

Open daily from Ash Wednesday, 18 February, to 12 April, this exhibition will explore the plight of refugees as well as Biblical themes of journey, refuge and redemption. The series of sculptures and paintings will be on display throughout Lent in the cathedral Ambulatory. As well as our cathedral Lent course (details below) there will also be a Sanctuary-themed Sequence of Words and Music instead of Evensong at 5:45pm on Sunday, 22 March.

Our cathedral Lent course, also entitled Sanctuary, will be inspired by the exhibition and led by our cathedral clergy. It will run for 4 weeks starting on Wednesday 25 February from 6:30pm to 7:45pm in the Andrewes Room, Cathedral House, followed by Compline at 8pm in St Thomas's Chapel.

To book a place in the Lent course please visit our website →

Coat of Hopes and Congregational Tea - Sunday 8 February

On Sunday 8 February, at 4pm, there will be a Congregational Tea in the Nave. Please do join us for this opportunity for fellowship and friendship before Evensong. All are welcome!

This Sunday, Portsmouth Cathedral will also be hosting the Coat of Hopes - a patchwork garment which is on a long term pilgrimage through the UK, and has been made by, worn and walked by more than 2000 people, for a distance of over 2000 miles so far, carrying their hopes in the face of climate and ecological breakdown. The Coat is currently travelling along the South coast and will be coming from Chichester Cathedral and St Faith's Church, Havant, stopping off at Portsmouth Cathedral before going on to the Isle of Wight.

Do join us for a Congregational Tea, during which the Coat bearers will be pleased to talk about the Coat, to sing the "Coat Song" and to allow people to try it on!

If you would like to come to the tea, please let us know by completing the form online →

New Easter products in the Cathedral Shop

Our Easter cards have arrived in the shop with a large selection available, from individual cards to multi packs. We also have new ranges of jewellery and scarfs inspired by nature and heritage.

The Cathedral shop is open daily by an excellent team of volunteers and we do have some vacancies if you are looking for a new opportunity this Spring.

Our opening times for the shop can be found here.

Return of Palm Crosses

Please bring last year’s crosses to the vergers by Sunday 15 February so that they can be burnt for use on Ash Wednesday.

Confirmation at Easter

The next Confirmation service for candidates from the Cathedral will be on Easter Eve at the Easter Vigil on Saturday 4 April, in the Cathedral. If you are interested in being confirmed (and or baptised), please do speak to Canons Harriet or Jo to find out more or use the form below to enquire. There will be a short period of preparation during Lent.

Enquire online →

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 Sunday

8:00am – Holy Communion
9:30am – #PompeySundays
11:00am – Eucharist
5:45pm – Choral Evensong

Prayers & Intercessions

We remember those for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Peter, Phil, Wynne, Spencer, Terry, Ken, Jean, Helen, Nigel, Jill, Colin, Alan, Martin, Steve, Tom, Jason, Abbie, Matthew, Hazel, Mark, Paul, Pauline, Jennifer, Lily and Lottie.

We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Richard, Karen, Susan, Carole, Davina, Saphie, Ralph, Marion, Jill, Suzy, Chris, Philip, Mathai, Graeme, Alistair.

We remember those who have died recently, including: Trevor Clark (cathedral funeral 2pm - Tuesday, 24 February), Lara Kynvin (cathedral memorial service 2pm - Sunday, 1 March), Martin Phillips, Mike Sizov and Beatrice Kamau RIP.

Upcoming Services & Events

Yoga at the Cathedral – Saturday, 7 February at 10:30am

Take some time to unwind and move gently in the calm, beautiful space of the Cathedral. These sessions start with simple breathwork before moving into a flowing Hatha Vinyasa class suitable for all abilities.

Congregational Tea – Sunday, 8 February at 4:00pm

You are warmly invited to a congregational tea, ahead of Evensong. This will be a time to gather informally as a cathedral community, to share conversation and refreshments together.

Small Sounds – Tuesday, 10 February at 10:00am

Join us on Tuesday mornings from 10am-11am during term time for joyful music sessions for babies and children aged 0-5 and their parents or carers.

The Word is Near – Wednesday, 11 February at 10:15am

#PompeyTots – Wednesday, 11 February at 2:00pm

Are you looking for a fun and engaging way to help little ones ask big questions? Look no further than #PompeyTots, a weekly service at Portsmouth Cathedral specifically designed for babies and pre-schoolers and their adults.

Lunchtime Live: Musicians from PGS – Thursday, 12 February at 1:10pm

Today's lunchtime recital is given by a group of talented music students from The Portsmouth Grammar School, accompanied by Karen Kingsley. This recital will be in St Thomas's Chapel.

Small Sounds – Tuesday, 17 February at 10:00am

Join us on Tuesday mornings from 10am-11am during term time for joyful music sessions for babies and children aged 0-5 and their parents or carers.

Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes – Wednesday, 18 February at 8:00am

Join us to mark the start of Lent in this said service of Communion. During the service, you will be invited to receive the sign of the cross in ash on your forehead as a symbol of penitence .

The Word is Near – Wednesday, 18 February at 10:15am

Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes – Wednesday, 18 February at 12:00pm

Join us to mark the start of Lent in this said service of Communion. During the service, you will be invited to receive the sign of the cross in ash on your forehead as a symbol of penitence .

Ash Wednesday Eucharist with Sung Litany and Imposition of Ashes – Wednesday, 18 February at 5:45pm

Join us to mark the start of Lent in this said service of Communion. During the service, you will be invited to receive the sign of the cross in ash on your forehead as a symbol of penitence .

The Music of Bruce Springsteen Candlelight Concert – Saturday, 21 February at 7:30pm

Get ready for a night that brings the spirit, sound and stories of The Boss to life like never before. Performed by the outstanding live band 'The Sound of Springsteen', this show is a full-scale tribute to one of rock's greatest icons.

Small Sounds – Tuesday, 24 February at 10:00am

Join us on Tuesday mornings from 10am-11am during term time for joyful music sessions for babies and children aged 0-5 and their parents or carers.

The Word is Near – Wednesday, 25 February at 10:15am

#PompeyTots – Wednesday, 25 February at 2:00pm

Sanctuary: Cathedral Lent Course 2026 – Wednesday, 25 February at 6:30pm

Explore the current Cathedral art exhibition, Sanctuary, by artist Nicholas Mynheer, in a 4 week course, led by the artist and our Cathedral clergy.