News from the University Church

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Subject: News from the University Church

The Gaze of God

by the Revd Canon Dr William Lamb

In her little book Waiting for God, the philosopher, Simone Weil writes about our capacity for attentiveness. Simone Weil lives between 1909-1943. She died at a relatively tender age, but during her lifetime she established herself as a philosopher of extraordinary intellectual power characterised by a fierce independence of mind. The book is largely made up of letters she wrote to a Dominican priest as she wrestled with the demands of Christian belief and commitment. She may not be the most ‘orthodox’ of thinkers, but she remains a fruitful conversation partner for any Christian who takes the life of prayer seriously.

Weil wrote that attentiveness consists not simply in our capacity to close down any possible distraction so that we can attend to another. Much more is expected of us. Attentiveness is one of 'the greatest forms of generosity'. It requires empathy, understanding, recognition, compassion, even love. We are not simply dispassionate observers. To be attentive, we need to make ourselves vulnerable to the object to which we turn our gaze, whether that is our neighbour, or even God. Attentiveness touches the heart. As we turn our gaze to God, we are caught up in the gaze of God.

As we prepare for All Saints Day next week, I find myself wondering if this is perhaps the quality that we see in so many saints. Indeed, I might be so bold as to say that we see this in all the saints, a capacity for attentiveness to God and to neighbour, which is the prerequisite for all prayer and the ground of all love:

‘Our love should stretch as widely across all space, and should be as equally distributed in every portion of it, as is the very light of the sun. Christ has bidden us to attain to the perfection of our Heavenly Father by imitating his indiscriminate bestowal of light. Our intelligence too should have the same complete impartiality. Every existing thing is equally upheld in its existence by God’s creative love. The friends of God should love him to the point of merging their love into his with regard to all things here below.’ (Simone Weil, Waiting for God (Routledge, 2021), 35).

This Sunday

8.30am Holy Eucharist - Chancel
Preacher: The Revd Naomi Gardom

10.30am Choral Eucharist - Nave

Preacher: The Revd Alan Ramsey

3.30pm Choral Evensong - Chancel

This Week

Monday

9.00 Morning Prayer - Chancel

12.15 Eucharist - Chancel

Tuesday

9.00 Morning Prayer - Chancel

12.15 Eucharist - Chancel

12.45 Canterbury Student Lunch - Old Library

Wednesday

9.00 Morning Prayer - Chancel

11.15 Coffee & Doughnuts - Adam de Brome chapel

12.15 Eucharist - Chancel

Thursday

9.00 Morning Prayer - Chancel

12.15 Eucharist - Chancel

13.00 Lunchtime Recital - Nave

Friday

9.00 Morning Prayer - Chancel

12.15 Eucharist - Chancel

12.45 Bible Study - Old Library

Saturday

14.00 Memorial Service - Nave (Church Closed 1.30pm - 3.30pm)

19.00 Concert - Nave

Upcoming Services

Special Events

PARISH LUNCH – 12NOON SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER

All are welcome to join us for a Parish Lunch today in the Old Library. There is no need to pre-book, all are very welcome. If you need lift access to the Old Library, please speak to a member of the steward’s team.

THE VINCENT STRUDWICK LECTURE - 5.30PM, MONDAY 28 OCTOBER

The 2024 Vincent Strudwick Lecture on Religion in Public Life will be delivered by the Revd. Lucy Winkett. The title of the lecture is '"Imagine the world to be different": the Church as an agent of change?' Lucy Winkett is Rector of St James’s Piccadilly in London, a post she has held since 2010, and prior to that was Canon Precentor of St Paul’s Cathedral. Register here.

DEATH CAFÉ - 6.00PM FRIDAY 1 NOVEMBER

Gather to eat cake, drink tea, and discuss death. This is a completely open discussion with no agenda, no expectations, and no right answers. Death Cafés have been running across the world since 2011, their aim is ‘to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives’.

REQUIEM FOR ALL SOULS – 10.30AM SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER

This year, we will be commemorating those who have died, at a Requiem for All Souls 10.30am Saturday 2 November. If you would like a loved one to be remembered by name at this service, please print their name on the list at the back of Church or email admin@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk by Thursday 31 October.

WELCOME TO STUDENTS ON PLACEMENT

We are delighted to welcome three new ministry students on placement: Joanna Barrington, Sofia Radaelli and Chris Leckey during Michaelmas and Hilary Terms.

VOLUNTEER FAIR - 3 NOVEMBER - CHANCEL

We are currently looking to increase the number of volunteers who assist with our ministry of hospitality, particularly during the summer months. Volunteering roles range from being a welcomer, to offering brief tours to visitors as a guide, to helping with the maintenance and small conservation projects, as well as flower-arranging and helping to make the church look welcoming and beautiful. Volunteers enjoy a supportive environment with great colleagues. Training is provided and we make every effort to ensure that volunteers work in a safe and secure environment. If you are interested in volunteering and joining our training programme this autumn, please contact Ana-Maria Niculcea, the Volunteer Coordinator: ana-maria.niculcea@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk or why not attend our volunteering fair on Sunday 3 November at 11.45am in the Chancel.

Upcoming Concerts

London Oriana Choir - Take Flight
Saturday 2 November, 7pm
Join London Oriana Choir for music devoted to the skies amidst the stunning setting of the University Church, including a performance of Cecilia McDowall’s ‘Night Flight’ with cellist Gabriel Amherst.
Book a ticket here.

If you would like to join our brand new team of volunteer concert stewards, please get in touch with us at info@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk

Upcoming Events

Care for Creation - October

Contribute to wildlife conservation. Clean bird feeders to prevent diseases spreading to winter migrants. Install a nest box well before breeding season to provide a cosy retreat for small birds during cold winter nights. Prepare to support more birds next year, with more tips at arocha.org.uk/give-abird-a-home. As you observe the local birds reflect on this verse, ‘I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.’ Psalm 50:11

From: https://arocha.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ARUK-Eco-Tips-Calendar-2024.pdf

www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk

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Subject: News from the University Church

Upcoming ConcertsLondon Oriana Choir - Take FlightSaturday 2 November, 7pmJoin London Oriana Choir for music devoted to the skies amidst the stunning setting of the University Church, including a performance of Cecilia McDowall’s ‘Night Flight’ with cellist Gabriel Amherst.Book a ticket here.