Subject: News from the University Church of St Mary the Virgin

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The Art of Modern Conversation

I came across Theodore Zeldin’s talk on the art of conversation and asked myself: How does the way in which we converse with others, change the way we value ourselves and our relationships?

I find it much easier to talk to someone one-to-one, focusing on their physical being, meandering the various levels of conversation guided by patterns of breathing, grimaces and smiles, all the small signs that enrich the art of listening. The screen takes most of that away. We end up reducing others and ourselves, both wilfully and unconsciously, to a set of preferences and simplified abstract and absolute opinions which allow us to enter a variety of social groups but do not always enhance the quality of our communication within those groups.

On the other hand, the online community brings together knowledge and interaction, which would otherwise be very limited, if not downright impossible. Stanford School of Medicine developed Woebot, a friendly algorithm, which allows those with high levels of social anxiety, or for whom access to real-life therapy is not an option, to interact and deal with mental health issues in a way that is free of shame or feelings of inadequacy.

These issues inspired me when organising our lecture series this term entitled ‘The Art of Modern Conversation’. This past week, Dr Bethany Sollereder talked about how communication is affected in a world where screens and the relativity of knowledge and truth severely impact our ability to own our narrative. 

Next Wednesday, join me in the Old Library at 7.30pm as Dr Mariarosario Taddeo will be speaking about the potential of Artificial Intelligence to tackle social problems and create environments that do not restrict the self, but allow it to flourish. 

Ana-Maria Niculcea
Communications, Learning and Outreach Officer 
The Week Ahead

Sunday 
10.30  Choral Eucharist - Nave
12.00  Sunday Forum: The Lord's Prayer  - Old Library
17.30  Intercollegiate Service with University Sermon
Preacher:  HE Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Church

Weekday Services

Monday  Scholastica 543
09.00  Morning Prayer - Chancel
12.15  Eucharist  - Chancel
18.15  Choral Evening Prayer  - Worcester College

Tuesday   
09.00  Morning Prayer - Chancel
12.15  Eucharist - Chancel
18.00  Book Club - Keepers

Wednesday  
09.00   Morning Prayer - Chancel
12.15   Eucharist - Chancel
17.30  Poetry Workshop - Old Library
19.30  Art of Modern Conversation - Old Library

Thursday  
09.00  Morning Prayer - Chancel
12.15  Eucharist - Chancel
12.45  Lunchtime Bible Study - Old Library
18.00  Choral Evensong - Magdalen College  

Friday  Cyril 869 & Methodias 885
09.00  Morning Prayer - Chancel
12.15  Eucharist - Chancel
18.15  Choral Evensong - Exeter College

Saturday  
18.15  Choral Evensong - New College

For full listings of weekly evening services across the University, see our website.

Next Sunday

Sunday 16 February   Second Sunday before Lent    
10.30  Choral Eucharist - Nave
           Preacher:  The Rev'd Prof Andrew McGowan, Yale Divinity School  
12.00  Intercessors Meeting in the Old Library 
15.30  Choral Evensong in the Chancel
           Preacher: Revd Dr William Lamb
SUNDAY FORUM: THE LORD’S PRAYER

On Sunday 9th February, at 12 noon in the Old Library, the Revd Laurence Price will introduce the final session on the life of prayer. Exploring the phrase, 'Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us’.
Passion and Compassion Oxford

Drawing on the ancient spiritual devotion of the Stations of the Cross, we invite you to participate in a journey of reflection and discovery in the city of Oxford.

Using the website or the mobile application, weave your way around our ancient city, where key works of art can be found - in both religious and secular spaces, from churches to museums, and even city rooftops.

On this journey, you will be accompanied by leading academics, theologians and artists, contemplating the profound meaning of the Stations of the Cross through some of Oxford’s most impressive works of art.

A linked exhibition of all 14 Stations of the Cross will be up in the Adam De Brome Chapel starting this Sunday until Easter week.

www.passionandcompassion.org
Art of Modern Conversation
In the ever-shifting patterns of our online selves, where we move between the real and the unreal and where truth becomes a political and social commodity, is the art of conversation lost? This series explores how our patterns of engagement are changing and how all the minutiae of conversations, the things we say and the things we leave unsaid are affected by virtual environments. Join us in the Old Library from 19:30-21:00 to find out more. Entrance through Radcliffe Square.

12 Feb Artificial Intelligence for Good
Dr Mariarosario Taddeo
19 Feb Is Our Online Self Less Human?
The Revd Canon Bruce Kinsey & The Revd Dr Melanie Marshall
EXPLORING THE THEOLOGY OF EQUAL MARRIAGE

A Moot will take place on Monday 24 February at 7.30pm in the Nave. In response to changes in legislation relating to marriage and civil partnerships in recent years, the Church has been slow to respond and adapt to the significant societal changes in attitudes towards relationships and questions of sexuality. In this panel discussion, Professor Helen King (Classical Studies, Open University, and contributor to Living in Love and Faith), the Very Revd Dr Jeffrey John (Dean of St Alban’s), and Professor Diarmaid Macculloch (St Cross College), will discuss the various changes which have attended the church’s understanding of marriage over the centuries and the way in which Christians can respond constructively and creatively to more recent developments, drawing on scripture, tradition and reason. Tickets are available from Eventbrite.
Bookclub

Tuesdays 21 January - 10 March, 6 - 7pm
Keepers, 73 High Street, Oxford

Raymond Carver called Anton Chekhov ‘the greatest short story writer who has ever lived’. Elusive and subtle, spare and unadorned, the stories in this collection are among Chekhov's most poignant and lyrical.

Each week, someone introduces a discussion on one of the stories.

11 February- The Black Monk
18 February- Rothschild’s Violin
25 February - The Bishop
3 March - About Love
10 March - The Lady with the little dog

For more details, contact Ana-Maria at ana-maria.niculcea@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk 

THE ADVENTURES OF KING DAVID

The Bible Study takes place at 12.45pm in the Old Library on Thursdays during term.  This week we will be exploring ‘David’s Covenant’ and looking at 2 Sam 7.1-17, 1 Kings 11.26-40, Jeremiah 33.14-26. Hot drinks provided. You are welcome to bring a packed lunch.  
POETRY WORKSHOP

Join us in the Old Library at 17.30 on the following Wednesdays for an exploration of the poetry written in response to climate change and for writing exercises challenging how we might respond to climate change through poetry. Tea and biscuits are provided.

Entrance via the Vaults & Garden Cafe

Wednesday 12th February

Wednesday 26th February

Wednesday 11th March 
MEETING FOR INTERCESSORS

There will be a meeting for all those involved in leading intercessions at 12 noon on Sunday 16 February.

Parish Lunch

There will be a parish lunch on Sunday 23 February.  If you are able to help, please have a word with Julia Reece or Katie Hicks. 
Termcard

 To see our full term card, click the link below or look at our website.

https://www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk/content/hilary-term-2020 
St Mary's Church, High Street, OX1 4BJ, Oxford, United Kingdom
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