Subject: News from the University Church

 

So what really is Prayer?


by the Revd Hannah Cartwright


If I were to ask you 'what is prayer' the chances are that you might answer something like: 'talking to God'. This is indeed a form of prayer and probably the most widely used 'method' of communication with the Divine. We especially 'talk to' God about situations and people we want to pray for and ask God for God's help with our own needs and the needs of others. This intercessory form of prayer is essential to the flourishing of the life of faith and health of the world, and we are particularly grateful for all who help to lead our community in the ministry of intercession when we gather for worship.


The Church also describes prayer in slightly broader terms as 'being attentive to God' which can of course happen with or without the use of words. I have friends who communicate predominantly in sign language who pray in colour and imagery too and many of us find it helpful to pray with our hands or minds creatively, or with our bodies as we walk, craft or make liturgical gesture or change our posture (e.g. some of us chose to make the sign of the Cross as a body prayer to remind us of our baptism and salvation or put our hands clasped together or apart lifted to heaven to pray in both formal and informal settings).  Some of us find it helpful to pray with Icons as 'windows' into communion with God or using Scripture in set forms (such as the Daily Office) or informally (as particular verses are prompted in our thoughts), and others find that praying in the presence of Christ in the Sacrament helps them to 'focus' their intentions too.


Read the whole editorial here.

TOWN & GOWN RUN - THIS SUNDAY, 14 MAY

This Sunday, the Town & Gown run will take place in the centre of Oxford. Your route on the day might be affected so check out the map and plan accordingly. There is also a detailed closure schedule here.

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
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Click the image to see our events for Trinity 2023

Ecohints of the week

 In St Mary's new Vision and Strategy document 'Faith Seeking Understanding', one of our missions is to 'seek to safeguard the integrity of creation, working with partner organisations to sustain and renew the life of the earth'. Would you like to be more involved in this whole church mission? Get in touch today: admin@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk


How much do you know of how your money is invested? It's not always easy to find out. Join the JustMoney movement, which aims to be the go-to organisation for Christians and churches who want to connect faith, money and justice. If you manage to take action, let us know HERE

Notices


HOLYWELL CEMETERY GARDENING DAY

The next Gardening Day will take place on 13 May from 10am - 1pm in Holywell Cemetery.


FAMILY CRAFT AND CHAT - 10.30AM-12PM, SATURDAY 13 MAY

Come and swap stories, chat and catch up with others over a cup of tea/juice and some craft for the little (or big) kids in your life. Children of all ages are welcome to drop in informally with their parents, grandparents, godparents or guardians.


COFFEE & DOUGHNUTS - 11.15AM WEDNESDAYS

All are welcome to join us for coffee, doughnuts, and conversation in DeBrome.


BEATING THE BOUNDS PROCESSION - 9AM THURSDAY

In this ancient tradition to mark Ascension Day, we are joined by a group of schoolchildren from local schools as we walk around the boundaries of the ancient parish of St Mary's. Booking is required for this event so please sign up on the website. The link to register will go live tomorrow morning (Saturday 13 May).


FREE LUNCHTIME RECITAL SERIES - 1PM THURSDAY

Join us for a free lunchtime recital with XinRu Chen, a Royal Academy of Music student. She will play Schumann’s Kreisleriana Op.16 & Jörg Widmann’s Elf Humoresken.


THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES BIBLE STUDY - 12.45PM FRIDAYS

The Acts of the Apostles tells of the earliest disciples as they are drawn by the Holy Spirit to become a community that is genuinely inclusive, bringing God's salvation to all people and challenging the divisions created by Empire. The theologian Willie James Jennings describes it as a book of 'revolution', that highlights the disrupting, joyful presence of the Spirit of God, and our reading will be guided by his recent commentary The Book of Acts in the Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible series. All are welcome to join us in the Old Library beginning on 5th May.


THE OSLO CATHEDRAL BOYS CHOIR CONCERT - FRI 19 MAY, 6PM

Join us for a Nordic Spring Celebration and enjoy Norwegian folk tunes mixed with music by E. Grieg, H. Kjerulf, C.V. Standford, J. Barnby, J.S.Bach and W.A. Mozart.


BAMPTON LECTURES - 23 & 30 MAY

The Revd Dr Willie James Jennings will give this year's Bampton lectures titled:

'Jesus and the Displaced: Christology and the Redemption of Habitation'. Taking the work of the great African American theologian and mystic Howard Thurman in his famed text, Jesus and the Disinherited as inspiration, these lectures focus on the problems of displacement - geographic, racial, social, and environmental - and how a fresh consideration of the landed life of Jesus might speak to these problems.

 

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: 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.


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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