Listening Out

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Subject: Listening Out

Epiphany

6 January 2022

Today, Friday 6 January, marks the beginning of the Feast of the Epiphany, with its themes of manifestation, appearance and revelation. There are three stories from the Gospels which are associated: the coming of the Magi, the Baptism of Christ, and the Wedding at Cana. With each story, something different, of God, of the nature of Christ, of the Spirit, is made visible.

But what are these somethings? How do we see them? Making the spiritual visible is a task which has foxed both sacred and secular story tellers for as long as humans have been telling stories. John the Baptist says of Jesus, “I saw the Spirit descending on him like a dove.” Abraham experiences God variously as a voice, as fire in darkness, as three men visiting his tent. Moses, whilst shepherding, turns aside to the sight of a burning bush. In these examples, vision is given as gift. However, sometimes we must learn how to see.

The latest attempt to tell Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials visually, with its themes of love and freedom, power and ambition, has had a mixed response, leaving some BBC audiences cold and others raving. For Pullman, “dust” is the element of the universe which gives humans all that makes for what we might call the soul. The physicist Mary Malone must learn how to see dust, and develops a lens through which she can see. To create the lens, she is given an oil and brings her own knowledge. Is this what the Magi and all people of wisdom and knowledge do, bringing their different gifts to help us see each in our own ways, clearly and authentically, the different aspects of Christ’s love?

Alice Willington

Announcements

EPIPHANY HOME BLESSING
On the feast of the Epiphany and in the weeks following, Christians around the world will ask God’s blessing on their homes by marking their door post or lintel with 20 + C + M + B + 23. The initials C, M, and B commemorate the Magi, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. They also stand for the Latin prayer-request Christus Mansionem Benedicat: “May Christ bless this house.” If you’d like to share this tradition, please take a piece of chalk after the service. Here is a prayer to use while writing the inscription:

The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, followed a star to find the Christ Child. Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless it and all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may show your love to each other and all whose lives we touch. Lord Jesus Christ, be with us now and for ever. Amen.

WHAT’S ON: HILARY 2023

The new term card for Hilary Term is now published and available in print from the back of church or, digitally, on the website.

HONORARY CANON

The Bishop of Oxford has appointed the Revd Dr William Lamb, the Vicar, as an Honorary Canon at Christ Church Cathedral. This is purely honorary and will make no difference to his day-to-day responsibilities at the University Church. There will be a service at the Cathedral at 6pm on Saturday 14 January to mark Will's installation. Everyone is very welcome to attend.

LATIN COMMUNION AND LATIN LITANY SERVICES

Very soon after the first English Prayer Book appeared in 1549, it was translated into Latin and the use of the Latin Prayer Book continues today at the University Church. Holy Communion is celebrated at the beginning of each term and the Litany is sung at the beginning of Hilary Term. The Latin Communion will take place at 8.00am on Thursday 12^th January and the Revd Matthew Cheung Salisbury will be the Celebrant. The Latin Litany, with the University Sermon given by Fr Max Kramer, Chaplain, Keble College, is at 3.30pm on Sunday 15^th January.

SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY
If you would like to support the ministry of the University Church, you may wish to make a cash donation at the offertory or via the contactless card machine by the High Street entrance. You can also make a donation online (please use the QR code) through the Parish Giving Scheme or by sending a text: Text "SMV X" to 70085 to donate £X. E.g.: "SMV 5" to 70085 will donate £5.00. Texts cost £X plus one standard rate message. Thank you!

Faith in Action

www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk

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Subject: Listening Out