Subject: News from the University Church

 

And a while from joys abstain…


by the Revd Hannah Cartwright

The great hymn Forty Days and Forty Nights includes the line:

‘Let us thine endurance share, and a while from joys abstain…’.

 

On the surface, abstinence from joy is hardly an attractive prospect for the next few weeks ahead as we enter the desert with Jesus and walk with him through a Lent of prayerful self-discipline; marked for many by giving-up a worldly joy and taking-up something which helps us to grow in our discipleship. Looked at through the lens only of abstinence, Lent might seem a rather arduous time, however, whilst it is indeed a season of solemnity, misery is certainly not the marker of a holy Lent (Matthew 6.17).

 

Abstaining from small earthly joys is supposed to act as an aid to prayer and a kind of spiritual de-cluttering. As the saying goes ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ and we will enjoy the good things we lay down for a time all the more again on Easter day. The process of giving up the extras in life is about learning to walk the desert path less reliant on the comfort of this world, and more reliant on Jesus.

 

Jesus gives us all that we ultimately need; he is the Bread of Life, gives us living water to drink and shelters us under the shadow of God’s wing. In the challenging conditions of the desert, you do not want to be carrying anything which is not strictly necessary for the journey. What might you be carrying, which you don’t need to be, through this season?

PARISH LUNCH NOTICE - SUNDAY 5 MARCH

We will have our second Parish lunch of the term this Sunday. All are very welcome to join us.

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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Ecohints of the week

We are heading towards the Ecochurch Silver award and the Green Team at SMV is encouraging whole church participation in taking actions towards caring for Creation. Each week in epistle, we will provide one nudge to help us all live more lightly.


22nd Feb-7th March is Fairtrade Fortnight Coffee, bananas and cocoa production are all being affected by climate change; look for the fairtrade label to make sure that producers are given a fair price for their products. Using your LOAF (local - organic - animal friendly - fairtrade) in Lent: the Green Team is encouraging church members to use these principles whilst buying food in this season of Lent.

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

Notices


COFFEE AND DOUGHNUTS- 11.15AM WEDNESDAYS

Come along and invite others for this weekly informal chance to drop in, chat and enjoy a doughnut and some local coffee. All are welcome.


FREE LUNCHTIME RECITAL SERIES - 1PM THURSDAY

The next in our lunchtime recital series will take place on Thursday as we welcome Ekaterina Grabova, who will be playing music by Frederic Chopin.


POETRY HOUR - 5.30PM WEDNESDAY

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 the poem To His Mistress Going To Bed.


BOOK CLUB - 5.30PM THURSDAYS - CHEQUERS PUB

In Hilary Term, we are 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 are studying the Book of Ruth. 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.


GODLY PLAY -10.30AM NEXT SUNDAY 12TH MARCH

The next Godly Play will be taking place on 12th March in the Old Library for children (aged 3-8) and their families.


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!

A plea for help


Penurious church musician seeks affordable permanent parking within one mile of central Oxford.

Contact Daniel Gilchrist on daniel.gilchrist@outlook.com or 07443651799 if you can help.

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

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