Subject: News from the University Church

 

Martyrdom


by the Revd Canon Dr William Lamb


At 11.00am on Tuesday 21st March, there will be a service at the University Church to mark the Commemoration of Thomas Cranmer, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1532 – 1553. Cranmer had been one of the leaders of the English Reformation, and served as Archbishop under Henry VIII and Edward VI. He devised the Book of Common Prayer of 1549 and 1552. When Henry’s daughter, Mary, a Roman Catholic, came to the throne, Cranmer was deposed. Imprisoned in Bocardo Prison, close to the church of St Michael at the Northgate, Cranmer faced trial for heresy at the University Church in 1555. He was eventually condemned to death and was executed in Broad Street on 21 March 1556.

 

We still point out the stone carving which was removed from ‘Cranmer’s Pillar’ just by the lectern in the nave at St Mary’s. The carving was removed in order to accommodate the staging on which Cranmer stood. Just behind the pillar stands a memorial, which commemorates the Catholic and Protestant martyrs of the Reformation Period. This memorial is an ever present reminder that in spite of the divisions among Christians in the past, in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, Christians from many different traditions have faced martyrdom in different parts of the world. Their accusers have made no distinction between Roman Catholic or Anglican, Lutheran or Orthodox. Pope Francis has spoken of ‘the ecumenism of blood’ which challenges us to reflect on our common witness in the world today.

 

A martyr is quite simply one ‘who bears witness’. During the season of Lent, it is perhaps worthwhile for us to reflect on the character of our witness. How do we manifest a quality of Christlikeness in our dealings with others? How do our lives communicate the grace and the love of God? What might we learn from the example of the martyrs of the past? These are good questions for us to reflect on as we seek to grow in discipleship through study and prayer.

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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.


Last Sunday was a Church Divestment Day of Action, when people around the country asked the Church of England and the Catholic Church to disinvest from fossil fuels. The Oxford Diocese has committed to full divestment - maybe you would like to thank them - you can write to them here ? We sent this photo to Christian Climate Action as part of our 'thank you'

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

Notices


SUNDAY FORUM – 12PM THIS SUNDAY

Join us to hear from the Revd Mary Gurr, Chaplain to the Homeless Community to speak to us about a Christian response to Homelessness.


GODLY PLAY -10.30AM THIS 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.


QUIET CREATIVITY - SAT 18 MARCH, OLD LIBRARY, 10AM-1PM

You are warmly invited for a relaxed morning in the Old Library. Bring your own creative project and enjoy snacks, tea & coffee in the company of like-minded people. For more details, contact ana-maria.niculcea@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk


FREE LUNCHTIME RECITAL SERIES - 1PM THURSDAY

The next in our lunchtime recital series will take place on Thursday 23 March as we welcome an ensemble of seven musicians, who will be playing music by Handel, Ravel and Vivaldi.


LENT QUIET MORNING – SAT 25th MARCH

There are still some places left on the Lent Quiet Morning 10am-1pm in the Old Library. To book contact hannah.cartwright@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk


CHRISTIAN IMAGININGS OF HOME: POLITICAL THEOLOGIES AFTER NATIONALISM – MON 27 MARCH, 7.30pm

Where do you call home? Turn on the television and you are bombarded with programmes on finding, designing, building, buying, restoring or furnishing your home. Meanwhile, the earth is radically polluted and millions of people worldwide are refugees. this lecture by Professor Siobhán Garrigan draws on deeper layers of the Christian tradition to articulate a theology of home that is more inclusive – and able to resist the violent implications of exclusive nationalism. Open to all. Entrance via High Street.


BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION CLASSES

If you are considering taking the next step in faith and would like to be baptised or confirmed at Pentecost (28th May), it would be wonderful to hear from you. Please be in touch with Hannah for an informal chat and put the following dates of baptism and confirmation preparation classes in your diary, all 5.30-6.30pm: 21 March, 28 March, 18 April, 25 April, 9 May, 16 May. On 23 May will be a rehearsal. To make it as accessible as possible we will be taking a hybrid approach with some sessions in the Old Library and some on zoom.


ELECTORAL ROLL

If you are baptised and over the age of 16, and are either resident in the parish or have regularly attended worship here for the last 6 months, you are eligible to join the church electoral roll. This enables you to attend and vote at the annual parochial church meeting and to stand as a member of the PCC. We update the electoral roll annually so if you would like to join or to amend your details, please pick up a form from the back of church.


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!

EVENTS ELSEWHERE


TAIZE PILGRIMAGE

Christ Church Chapel are organising a trip to Taizé, France (13-20th August) with a group from Oxford Diocese and this is open to students from across the university. For more information, please contact Clare Hayns: clare.hayns@chch.ox.ac.uk

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

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