Subject: News from the University Church

 

Gates and Portals


by Julia Hollander


You may have heard about ‘Gates and Portals’, the show currently going on at Modern Art Oxford. I say ‘show’ rather than ‘exhibition’ because it was conceived by self-confessed ‘grandmother of performance art’, Marina Abramović. Unlike a conventional gallery experience, it entails very little looking; in fact (spoiler alert) you will find the whitewashed walls entirely bare. With the help of a handful of props, your sensory activity is radically reduced, your focus turned inwards. In my case, I spent a surprisingly fruitful half hour contemplating to my own heartbeat. Whenever my mind wandered from this novel activity, it busied itself with my expectations as a punter. I tussled with ideas about how much Abramović should be giving me: what the relationship between audience and performer really is.


I’ve spent much of my life performing in churches: as a young child in our local parish choir, as a student in my college chapel and then in all sorts of Christian ceremonies throughout my adult life. But when people ask me whether I am also a worshipper, my response is not straightforward. The truth is that I haven't always felt at one with the religious context in which I sing. There have been occasions (though never at SMV) when it was so at odds with my personal belief that I spent the sermon with my fingers planted firmly in my ears.


You could ask, in that case what was I doing there? Just earning a living? Putting on an act for an audience far more devout than me? Or was it the other way around? Were my songs so powerful in and of themselves that they transcended any ordinary, mortal activity, including a dodgy sermon? This notion is not unusual. Indeed, over the years musicologists have found it to be so universal that some concluded it to be song’s main evolutionary purpose: for humans to reach out to God. In performing music with nothing but our own bodies, we singers are making a direct act of spiritual engagement that is in itself a form of worship. In which case, what do I offer the congregation?


You can read the whole editorial here:

https://www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk/thinking/gates-and-portals

COMMEMORATION OF THE DEPARTED

If you have lost loved ones who you would like to be remembered by name at the Choral Requiem service at 3:30pm on 13th November, please print their names onto the list at the back of church (before 12pm on Sunday 13th November) or email admin@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk (before Thursday 10th November).

Livestreamed Services

at the University Church

We livestream our 10.30am Sung Eucharist every Sunday.

Please follow the links below for our social media channels.


If you have any feedback or questions about our livestreamed services,

please email ana-maria.niculcea@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk

youtube
twitter
facebook

Click the image to see what's on for Michaelmas term.

Notices


POPPY APPEAL

The Poppy appeal runs from 29th October - 13th November (Remembrance Sunday) during which time Lyn Robertson will be available after the service if you wish to purchase a poppy in support of the Royal British Legion, supporting ex­ service personnel and their families.


SCHUTZ 350 CONCERT, SATURDAY 5 NOVEMBER, 8PM

The 350th anniversary of Schütz's death (6 November, 1672) is an ideal moment to celebrate his contribution to German music. Instruments of Time and Truth will present a representative selection of his choral settings, from the madrigalian motets of the 1625 Cantiones sacrae to the gigantic 21-part setting of 'Zion spricht' in the Psalmen David of 1619. Tickets online.


GODLY PLAY, SUNDAY 6 NOVEMBER 

We are delighted to have children worshipping with us at St Mary’s at the 10.30am service. A selection of toys and books are available in the Newman Room (behind the glass brick wall) next door to the baby changing facilities. Godly Play takes place monthly in the Old Library on the first Sunday of the month during the first 45 minutes of the 10.30am Sung Eucharist. It is particularly suitable for children aged 3-8 years old and their families.


COFFEE AND DOUGHNUTS: 11.15AM WEDNESDAYS UNTIL 7 DECEMBER

During Michaelmas Term we are offering Coffee and Doughnuts on Wednesday mornings in the De Brome Chapel as a way of extending our ministry of hospitality during the week and reaching out to our wider community. Do come and invite others for this weekly informal chance to drop in and chat.


LECTURE: CHARACTER & IDENTITY: 7.30PM, WEDNESDAY 9 NOVEMBER

Questions of trust, probity and integrity dominate public life in contemporary Britain. These issues often coalesce around questions of character. If character is 'the guiding core of who we are', how does it develop? Can it be taught? What makes a 'good character' and who decides? Does 'character' make any difference to the way in which we exercise leadership? Why should character matter? Join us as we hear from Molly Boot, a writer, ordinand, and a trustee of Greenbelt


BIBLE STUDY: 12:45PM THURSDAYS UNTIL 1 DECEMBER

The Psalms are a treasury of poetry at the heart of the Hebrew Bible and the spiritual life of the Christian Church. From the writings of St Augustine of Hippo, it is clear that his theological imagination was fed by the Psalms of David. In this series of Bible Studies, we are exploring the Psalms with the help of the expositions of St Augustine.


FREE LUNCHTIME RECITAL SERIES: 1PM THURSDAYS

The next in our Thursday lunchtime recital series will take place on 10 November as we welcome pianist Junyan Chen, a student at the Royal Academy of Music. His programme includes works by Bach, Liszt and Beethoven.


GARDENING DAY IN HOLYWELL CEMETERY

There will be another gardening day at Holywell Cemetery on Saturday 12 November from 10am – 1pm. You do not need to be an experienced gardener. If you have secateurs and other tools, feel free to bring them, but please make sure that you have some suitable clothing. Gloves are also a good idea!


SUPPORTING UKRAINIAN REFUGEES

The Diocese of Oxford has joined Citizens UK in providing a safer, more streamlined system designed to provide support for those undertaking the sponsorship process for supporting Ukrainian Refugees. For more information on hosting or supporting refugees visit: www.oxford.anglican.org/everyday-faith/becoming-a-christian/how-to/make-a-difference-in-ukraine.php


NEW TO ST MARY’S? If you are new to St Mary’s and have started coming to services in the last six months or so, we may not have your contact details. If you would like to find out more about what is going on at the University Church, please email admin@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk with your name, address and telephone number and ask for your name to be added to the Parish Directory. This directory is used only by parish staff but it enables us to get in touch with you as the need arises.

St Mary's Church, High Street, OX1 4BJ, Oxford, United Kingdom

You may unsubscribe or change your contact details at any time.

Powered by:
GetResponse

    This is an online snapshot of a newsletter created by the owner of universitychurch (University Church of St Mary, St Mary's Church, High Street, OX1 4BJ Oxford, United Kingdom) and sent via GetResponse on 2022-11-04. Report abuse