Subject: News from the University Church

 

Seeing Icons

by Esther de Waal

‘Stop looking and start seeing' was the advice of Thomas Merton to a young poet as they walked together through the woods, each with a camera. To look is to have some object in view and concentrate on that, while seeing means being open, ready to be surprised, startled. The present exhibition asks us to look—deeply—and to allow ourselves to be drawn into the transcendent reality the icons transmit. This gallery of icons is here at St Mary’s for a sufficient time to allow us to return time and again, so that we really enter into the riches that we have been given here. For an icon is much more that a work of art, a picture or a painting, however beautiful. An icon is made with prayer and asks from us the viewer a stance of prayer. As one of the early Church Fathers expressed it, ‘they contain a mystery and, like a sacrament, are vessels of divine energy and grace.’


Read the whole article on our website.

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

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Eco- Hints of the Week

Traditionally, it’s the time for New Year resolutions, are you thinking of any? During 2023, the Green Team at SMV will be encouraging the whole church participation in taking actions towards protecting the Earth. Each week in epistle, we will provide one nudge to help us all live more lightly.


Try to keep the phone you have and avoid buying new electronic products. Instead, try to repair products, borrow them, rent them, buy second hand;  keep new items to a minimum.  Rule of thumb should be for an electronic product to last seven years.

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

Notices

 

CREATIVE MORNING – 10AM SATURDAY

Our first creative morning of 2023 will take place in the Old Library on Saturday 21 January from 10am – 1pm. Bring your own creative project and enjoy snacks, tea & coffee in the original University library.


PARISH LUNCH – 12PM 22 JANUARY

The next Parish lunch will take place on 22 January in the Old Library. Please join us.

 

COFFEE AND DOUGHNUTS - 11.15AM WEDNESDAYS 

During Hilary 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.


POETRY HOUR: 5.30PM WEDNESDAY, 25 JANUARY, OLD LIBRARY

Poetry Hour is a forum for a diverse group of poets who have been reading and writing poetry together since 2015 in a relaxed and supportive environment. This term we are reading and responding to the poems of John Donne. This week we will be reading his poem A Hymn to God the Father.

 

FREE LUNCHTIME RECITAL SERIES - 1PM THURSDAYS

The next in our Thursday lunchtime recital series will take place on Thursday 19 January as we welcome a Piano and String Quintet of students at the Royal Academy of Music.


BOOK CLUB - 5.30PM THURSDAYS - CHEQUERS PUB

In Hilary Term, we shall be reading stories by the German writer Theodor Storm (1817- 1888), in translations by Dr. Ray Ockenden, Emeritus Fellow, Wadham College, who will join us for each session. 


BIBLE STUDY: 12:45PM FRIDAYS

This term, we will be studying the Book of Ruth. This is a book which provokes and challenges us to respond more creatively to pressing current issues about borders and belonging. Our reading of the text will be guided by the recent commentary, Borders & Belonging, The Book of Ruth: A Story for our Times by Padraig O’Tuama and Glenn Jordan. 


ECUMENICAL SERVICE

An ecumenical service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will take place at St Giles’ Church on Sunday 22 January at 3pm. The theme is racial justice, and the preacher will be Wale Hudson Roberts, Justice Enabler for the Baptist Union of Great Britain, and minister at John Bunyan Baptist Church in Cowley. The service is organised by Churches Together in Central Oxford and everyone is welcome.


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!


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

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