Subject: News from the University Church

Kingdom Season


by Dr Sarah Mortimer


Until now I’ve been a little sceptical of ‘Kingdom Season’. In the time between All Saints and Advent, the language of majesty and ruling comes to the fore – and all that talk of dominion can seem just too imperialist and patriarchal, too like the structures of power around us. This year, though, it’s felt different. Perhaps it is because now the gap between what counts as glory, rule, and might in the world and the values of God’s Kingdom have just seemed so far apart that the real meaning, the real subversive intent, of the scriptural words feels so much more apparent. For when Jesus, the prophets and the Apostles speak of the God who is truly powerful, truly righteous, they are not borrowing words and ideas from the courts and empires around them. They are striking at the heart of the imperial rule that surrounds and seeks to control them, denying its grip and asserting instead what is truly real and truly divine.


To use the language of God’s Kingdom is to challenge our society’s whole vocabulary, the words we used to describe the world. And it feels especially important when those in authority in this world are so open about their own ambition and when concern for the common good seems to be breaking down across the world. To look to God’s Kingdom, to speak of divine majesty and glory, is to resist the structures and priorities of self-seeking desire, and to point instead to the new horizon, where all are loved by God and where all are precious in God’s sight.

This Sunday


8.30am Holy Eucharist - Chancel
Preacher: Alice Willington


10.30am Choral Eucharist with University Sermon - Nave

Preacher: The Revd Canon Professor Jane Shaw


3.30pm Choral Evensong - Chancel

This Week

Saturday

10.00 Art of Dying - Old Library


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

14.00 Volunteer Meeting - Old Library

17.30 Poetry Hour - Old Library


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

19.30 Concert - Nave

Upcoming Services

Special Events


THE ART OF DYING – 10AM-12PM SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER

This panel discussion will bring together specialists from the University of Oxford and beyond. A theologian, a forensic scientist, a funeral director, and a palliative care doctor meet to discuss the intersection of academic and practical approaches to death and dying, and what these different disciplines and industries can learn from each other.


SUNDAY FORUM: – 12PM SUNDAY 17 NOVEMBER

Oxford is home to many unique library collections, in addition to its two universities. Libraries, along with their staff and systems, are crucial to academic research and teaching and yet they are rarely the focus of attention. Two of the congregation’s librarians, Eleanor Peers and Ashley Cushman, offer a glimpse into the secret life of the library, the vast collections and infrastructures that underpin Oxford’s research and teaching, and the commitment and skill of those who maintain them.


PARISH LUNCH – 12NOON SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER

Everyone is welcome at our first Parish Lunch of the academic year on Sunday 24 November. If you are able to contribute a main dish/salad/dessert, it would be very helpful to know this in advance - please email Katie Hicks hickscm@uwclub.net Many thanks.


CHRISTMAS STEWARDS NEEDED

Could you volunteer to steward with our friendly team, for occasional services during the busy festive period this Christmas? Our stewards team play a vital role in welcoming visitors and ensuring the smooth-running of services. If you could volunteer to steward one or more Christmas services, Paul Thompson, Head Steward, would be delighted to hear from you or email the office for more details.


POETRY HOUR - 5.30PM WEDNESDAY 20NOVEMBER

Poetry Hour is a relaxed and supportive forum for a diverse group of poets. Join us as we explore the poems of the great visionary, writer and artist, William Blake.


COMMUNITY OF JUSTICE MEAL - 6.00PM THURSDAY 21 NOVEMBER

If you are interested in being part of a small community who want to make a big difference, by praying and working for justice in the city, join us in the Old Library as we gather to explore what living out the call to be a ‘community of justice’ might look like. All are very welcome. Please email Hannah for catering purposes and include any dietary requirements hannah.cartwright@univeristychurch.ox.ac.uk


OXFORD WINTER NIGHT SHELTER – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

OWNS supports the rough sleepers in Oxford during the coldest months of the year (Jan-March). If you can volunteer visit www.ownsoxford.org.uk to apply.


CHRISTMAS BOXES

Over the past four years the congregation of St. Mary’s has generously filled boxes of Christmas gifts to the children of asylum seekers accommodated in a local hotel. This project has brought much happiness to families gathered together for a Christmas party. This year there are 64 boxes to be filled with small presents for children and young adults of various ages.

The boxes themselves will be available to collect from next Sunday 24th November and would need to be returned by 15th December.

Upcoming Concerts

Handel - Dixit Dominus
Friday 15 November, 7.30pm
One of Oxford’s newest professional ensembles, The Deitatis Consort and Players present music by Handel, Charpentier, and Carissimi, in three works which display a breath-taking range of expression and power, each bringing the very best of their respective schools and styles to the fore.
The Deitatis Consort and Players were founded to create a dynamic ensemble capable of facilitating the performance of music across the millennium and into the present day, with a current focus on music of the 17th century. As a choir, it draws on outstanding singers from across not only Oxford but the country and as an instrumental force, it functions not only in support of the choir but independently, and is commited to period instrumentation and exploration of historical performance practices.Directed by Luke Mitchell, singers and instrumentalists from the group perform in a range of combinations, having formerly performed a wide range of music in Oxford, and are currently working towards several projects, including reconstruction of Restoration Opera.
Book a ticket here.

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

Upcoming Events

Care for Creation - November


Green your home. Combat climate change and reduce heating costs by

identifying and sealing drafts around your home. Find the gaps that let the

cold air in and warm air out (think keyholes, letterboxes, cracks around the edges or bottoms of windows and doors, loft hatches, floorboards, etc.) and fix these gaps using the correct materials and online tutorials. Additionally, place foil or radiator panels to reflect heat into your room. Pray for those who might be

experiencing the cold this winter.


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

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

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