News from the University Church

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Subject: News from the University Church

Water water everywhere...

by Janie Bickersteth

It’s been quite a summer for rain, yet last year we experienced drought. Some would say “was ever thus” and yes, I do remember very wet summer holidays in my childhood, but extremes are more frequent and records are broken each year. How can we make sense of these conditions and what can we do about them?

In our faith, water plays an important part; it represents forgiveness - we baptise with water, washing away our sins and being reborn in Jesus Christ. In John 4:14, Jesus referred to himself as the ‘Living Water’; he recognised that without water there is no life.

What is your relationship with water? I must admit that in summers like this one, I am not as careful as I could be, I enjoy a bath, I prefer not to adhere to ‘if it’s yellow, let it mellow’, I wash clothes too frequently, run the tap when washing up, use the hosepipe to water the garden…in short, I am profligate with water. Note #1 to self: use less water by way of fewer baths, shorter showers, and save water with more water butts off downpipes.

Yes, we have an abundance of water this year, but so much of it is polluted (note the Triathlon swimmers in the North Sea last week, all coming down with upset stomachs). Many of our beautiful rivers can no longer sustain abundant life. We blame the water companies for mismanagement and the farmers for runoff from pesticides or animal excrement. But we too are complicit. If we eat chicken raised in a factory farm, effluent is known to flow into the nearby rivers, if we prioritise whiter-than-white laundry or sparkling clean dishes we are using chemicals that pollute. Note #2 to self - reduce meat intake, eat organically as much as possible, reconsider cleaning products, lobby my MP for better management of our waterways, support a charity such as WWF-UK, Canal & River Trust, Surfers against Sewage, Keep Britain Tidy, all of whom are working to promote sustainable water systems.

Sustainable Development Goal No 6 is ‘Universal access to safe and affordable drinking water’. The 2030 target is for this to be achieved globally ‘leaving no one behind’, yet 26% of the global population do not have this access. In the UK, we take clean water for granted, let’s do all we can not to squander it.

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

Check out our services and events during the Long Vacation.

Notices

PATRONAL FESTIVAL: THIS SUNDAY

All are warmly invited to stay for celebratory drinks after the morning service at 10.30am. If you are new to St Mary’s we would be delighted to get to know you better, please do introduce yourselves to others over drinks or to member of the clergy.

ORGAN RECITAL SERIES - 3.30PM, SUNDAYS IN AUGUST

Our August Organ Recital Series continues today as we welcome a host of esteemed organists from across the UK. This week our own James Brown, Organist of The University Church will be giving the recital and we look forward to welcoming George de Voil, St James’s, Sussex Gardens, and David Terry, St Mary Brookfield, in the coming weeks to play an exciting range of works on our classical instrument built in 1986 by the Swiss firm Metzler Orgelbau.

HIDDEN HIGHLIGHTS TOUR – 7.30PM TUESDAY 15 AUGUST

Join the Revd Dr Will Lamb, the Vicar, for a tour of the church as we explore some of the hidden highlights of this exceptional building and fascinating past. Places are going quickly so do book your free ticket here.

WHAT’S ON GUIDE: LONG VACATION

Make sure you pick up your copy of the ‘What’s On’ guide to find out more about events and services coming up at St Mary’s over the long vacation and do take a copy or two to share with friends and neighbours too.

HISTORIC HEART OF OXFORD EXHIBITION – UNTIL 20 SEPT

Step into the past and discover the extraordinary legacy of Oxford's University Church at our immersive exhibition, inspired by the remarkable book 'The Historic Heart of Oxford' by acclaimed historian Geoffrey Tyack.

FOOD BANK DONATIONS NEEDED

The Community Emergency Foodbank is currently in particular need of tinned meat, long-life milk, jam, and sauces for pasta (they have a plentiful supply of pasta but no sauces to accompany it). There is a box in the DeBrome Chapel every week during the 10.30 service to collect donations.

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!

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Subject: News from the University Church