Subject: Happy New Year from the University Church

Beauty


by Dr Sarah Mortimer


On this day 380 years ago Archbishop William Laud was executed for treason – one of the more dramatic ends to an episcopal tenure. One of the charges brought at his trial was that the porch his chaplain had built at St Mary’s displayed a ‘very scandalous statue’, evidence for some that England was drifting back into Roman Catholicism. To Laud, though, it was part of a drive to promote the ‘beauty of holiness’, taking inspiration from Psalm 96. He hoped to engage hearts and imaginations in worship, but what he saw as beauty, others denounced as shockingly ungodly. The controversy this provoked was one of the causes of the Civil War.


Through this season of Epiphany we hear and say those words from Psalm 96, as we too seek to worship ‘in the beauty of holiness’. What strikes me in this Psalm is the strong connection made between beauty, joy, and justice across the whole creation, as even the trees and fields rejoice in God’s goodness and righteousness. It is an exuberant scene, wild even, as the psalmist summons all the world to sing God’s glory and to share that song– just as through Epiphany we remember the revelation of God to all people and the value of all in God’s sight. Perhaps we can learn from the psalmist and welcome beauty wherever it is found, knowing that goodness and holiness come in so many forms, in God’s diverse world. For we are invited to see God in our different visions of beauty, and to rejoice together in God's love.


EPIPHANY CAROL SERVICE – 3.30PM SUNDAY 12 JANUARY

Join us to mark the Feast of the Epiphany, as we celebrate through carols, readings and beautiful music sung by the University Church Choir. All are welcome.

This Sunday


8.30am Holy Eucharist - Chancel
Preacher: The Revd Canon Dr William Lamb


10.30am Sung Eucharist - Nave

Preacher: The Revd Canon Dr William Lamb


3.30pm Epiphany Carol Service - Nave

This Week


Monday

9.00 Morning Prayer - Chancel

12.15 Eucharist - Chancel


Tuesday

9.00 Morning Prayer - Chancel

12.15 Eucharist - Chancel


Wednesday

9.00 Morning Prayer - Chancel

11.15 Coffee and Doughnuts - Adam De Brome Chapel

12.15 Eucharist - Chancel


Thursday

9.00 Morning Prayer - Chancel

12.15 Eucharist - Chancel

13.00 Lunchtime Recital - Nave


Friday

9.00 Morning Prayer - Chancel

12.15 Eucharist - Chancel

Special Events


HOLYWELL GARDENING - SATURDAY 11 JANUARY, 10 - 12.30

Gather at Holywell Cemetery with gloves and suitable clothing to help enhance this tranquil space. Afterwards there is a opportunity for a pub lunch.


SUNDAY FORUM - 19 JANUARY, 12 NOON

Professor Dean L Winslow, Professor of Medicine and Paediatrics, Stanford University, has worked at the heart of critical global challenges. Join us for this first Sunday Forum of the year, as Dean reflects on his work and the ways his own Christian faith has helped him to respond to these demanding situations.


GODLY PLAY – SUNDAY 19 JANUARY

In a change to the usual pattern, the next Godly Play session will take place on 19th January, in the Old Library during the first 45 minutes of the 10.30am service for children aged 3-8 years old and their family. Godly Play encourages children to approach Biblical stories with wonder and imagination. If you would be interested in training to become a Godly Play volunteer, supporting this ministry, we would love to hear from you. Please speak to a member of the clergy to find out more.


PARISH PILGRIMAGE - SATURDAY 25 JANUARY

On 25th January the Church celebrates St Paul's conversion to Christianity on the road to Damascus. A group of pilgrims from St Mary's will be marking the day by walking from St Margaret's church Binsey to St Frideswide's church on Botley Road, and on to St Mary's (about three miles). The event will start with lunch at The Perch at 12 noon and finish at approximately 4 pm at the University Church. Sign up on Eventbrite via the  link on our website.


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