Subject: News from the University Church

 

Harvest in Holywell


by the Revd Hannah Cartwright

 

As bright summer sun turns to golden autumnal glow, the Church gets ready to celebrate the abundance of all that God grows. Harvest is traditionally a time of thanksgiving for crops safely gathered in, and Harvest Festival (which we will celebrate here at St Mary’s on 8th October at the 10.30am Eucharist) typically conjures up images of proud pumpkins on display and tins of soup for those who are hungry. But it is not only produce from the veg patch and farm which has been growing; the hedgerows are teeming with life and, if we take the time to stop and look more closely, we see that birds, bees, butterflies and bugs have been just as busy as those who are producing and harvesting the food for our tables.


Harvest is the perfect time to take a moment to marvel at God’s creation and think and pray about ways in which we can help nurture nature in our local environment. Dozens of volunteers of all ages have worked incredibly hard to make our own Holywell Cemetery a vibrant and thriving sanctuary for wildlife, and a place where many varieties of plants can flourish too. It is an oasis in a busy city and we would love to explore its wonderful biodiversity more together. Children have a special advantage in exploring nature as their innate inquisitiveness and unique perspective on the world, usually viewed from much closer to ground level than adults and undistracted by everyday grown-up concerns, means that they bring unique insights, wonder and appreciation to the task of discovering God’s world in detail. And that’s exactly what we plan to do on our Harvest in Holywell Mini Nature Hunt this October half-term.


Children of all ages and their adults are warmly invited to join us as we gather at The University Church on Tuesday 24 October at 2pm and Emma Wormersley-Sharp leads us on a short walk (circa 0.5 mile) to Holywell Cemetery to explore its natural treasures together. The route to Holywell is suitable for buggies but some terrain inside the cemetery is uneven so is best explored on foot. Please dress for the weather in clothes which you don’t mind getting grubby. If the weather is too wet to walk, we will stay in church for some nature-based fun. Places are limited so, to ensure there are plenty of mini nature hunt resources for everyone, do sign up on the website ahead of time to let us know if you plan to come.

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Notices


RESOLVED TO SERVE EXHIBITION: STARTING IN OCTOBER

From October to December St Mary’s will be hosting an exhibition ‘Resolved to Serve’. Commissioned by the Diocese of Oxford, this portrait exhibition celebrates Black culture and its influence in the Church today. Beginning in Black History Month, featuring black African and Caribbean clergy in the Diocese of Oxford, Resolved to Serve tells their inspiring stories of faith and resilience. These stories are particularly poignant at this time as the UK marks the 75th anniversary year of the arrival of the Empire Windrush on our shores.


READ WITH FAITH IN ACTION FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH

This Black History Month (October), you are invited to join the Faith in Action Group in reading Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge. Described as ‘the book which sparked a national conversation’ it explores many topics, from ‘eradicated black history to the inextricable link between class and race’. Copies are widely available in book shops and online but if you would like to borrow a copy you would be very welcome to, just let Hannah know. You are encouraged to share your reflections with others in the congregation and in your social, work and study circles to keep this important conversation going.


LATIN COMMUNION: 8.00AM, THURS 5 OCTOBER

Very soon after the first English Prayer Book appeared in 1549, it was translated into Latin and the use of the Latin Prayer Book continues today at the University Church. Holy Communion is celebrated at the beginning of each term and will take place at 8.00am on Thursday 5th October. The Revd Dr Max Kremer will be the Celebrant.


VICAR’S SLEEPOUT

On World Homeless Day (10th October), the Vicar will be joining colleagues from the Collegiate University, the world of business, and civic representatives on a Sleepout organised by the Oxfordshire Homeless Movement to raise money to support its work with the homeless. If you would like to sponsor him, please visit this link.


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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