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Subject: News from the University Church

God chose weakness...

by the Revd Hannah Cartwright

As Christmas preparations gather pace, my thoughts begin to turn towards the crib; that cosy nest of hay, surrounded by oxen gently lowing as they await the Christ-child who would soon displace their lunch to make it his bed. It is, of course, an unhelpfully idealised image of the Holy Family; caught-up in the early moments after an unmedicated birth in a place none of them planned to be. But looking forward to the crib provides us with a brief reprieve from some of the more apparently challenging symbolism of Christianity for a few short weeks, at least until Candlemas, when we turn our face back to the cross and the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Christ, now only child but who will, all-too-soon, grow into a man.

Yet the crib and the cross share a curious bond as symbols of the life and death God chose to share-in with us through Christ's full humanity. Whether swaddled or outstretched, both are a place of human limitedness and vulnerability. Weakness can be seen as something we try and avoid or 'put a brave face on', but in the crib we are reminded that weakness is what God chose in the Incarnation and lived out in his full humanity from the moment of his birth (1 Corinthians 1.27).

It is easy to be convinced by someone who looks strong, who appears to have it all together, who promises security and ease and success; but to give yourself wholeheartedly to the babe in the manger, or the man on the cross… that will take an act of faith.

This Sunday

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

10.30am Choral Eucharist - Nave

Preacher: The Revd Canon Dr William Lamb

6.00pm Oxford Homelessness Movement Carol Service - Nave

Next Week

Monday

9.00 Morning Prayer - Chancel

12.15 Eucharist - Chancel

Tuesday

9.00 Morning Prayer - Chancel

12.15 Eucharist - Chancel

18.30 Concert - Nave

Wednesday

9.00 Morning Prayer - Chancel

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

Saturday

17.00 Concert - Nave (Church closed from 3.30pm)

Upcoming Services

Special Events

CHRISTMAS BOXES FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS – THIS SUNDAY 15 DEC

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 for a Christmas party. Thank you to all who have signed up to fill boxes. Please ensure that they are retuned to church on or before 15th December. We will also give gifts to the adults, which we will buy centrally. If you would like to donate towards this, please make a donation here and reference it FinA Christmas.

SERVER TRAINING – NEXT SUNDAY 15 DEC

There will be a brief training session for all servers (new and experienced) next Sunday at 11.45am after the service. All are very welcome, especially if you are considering joining the serving team and would like to find out more about what’s involved with no commitment. Ellie and Hannah will walk through the different roles of thurifer (incense), crucifer (cross), and acolyte (candles). Subdeacons (lay representative at the altar) are also welcome to come along for a refresher.

JUST A FEW MORE CHRISTMAS STEWARDS AND SERVERS NEEDED

We are so grateful to all who have offered to serve and steward over Christmas and there are still just a few extra spaces to fill. If you would like to volunteer on a one-off or ongoing basis as part of a supportive team, we would love to hear from you. Please speak to a member of the clergy, to Paul Thompson (Head Steward) or Ellie Williams (Head Server) for more details.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION, ‘CONFESSION’ AVAILABLE

Some find that the opportunity for individual confession and reconciliation can help them to lay burdens down and prepare their hearts to celebrate the joy of Christmas. Please contact a member of the clergy if you would like to find a time to make your confession in this season of Advent, or any time, as the need arises.

Upcoming Concerts

Opus 48: Pictures of an Uncommon Woman
Saturday 14 December, 7pm
The wonders of a Venetian Christmas will visit Oxford for Opus 48’s festive concert. The choir will be joined by some of the UK’s best brass players to perform works by composers including Gabrieli, Scarlatti and Palestrina. Singers and brass will play off each other as each ‘choir’ interacts, replies and joins together in great arcs of sound. This will be a joyful feast for the ears, transporting you to the sounds of St Mark’s Church in Venice.
Alongside these wonderful works, Opus 48 will be performing Charpentier’s beautiful Messe de Minuit. Charpentier innovatively combines carol melodies and folksongs with the setting of the Midnight Mass, which are beautifully blended together in skilled fashion. Charpentier’s love of Christmas music shines through, as does his love of song, opera and oratorio.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of choral music or just looking for a festive evening out, this concert promises to be a real Christmas highlight. Come and share in the beauty of these timeless pieces, as we celebrate the warmth and wonder of Christmas together. Get your tickets now and immerse yourself in this extraordinary music!
Book a ticket here.

Instruments of Time and Truth: Handel's Messiah
Saturday 21 December, 5pm
A highlight of Oxford’s musical calendar, don’t miss this chance to hear the quintessential Christmas work in the expert hands of the city’s own period-instrument orchestra and world-renowned conductor, Edward Higginbottom.
Instruments of Time and Truth are Oxford’s own period instrument orchestra, presenting world-class performances of Baroque and Classical music in Oxford and around the UK.
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 - December

Celebrate a Greener Christmas

Find ways to make your Christmas festivities both a joyous celebration of

Christ’s coming and environmentally conscious. Explore A Rocha UK’s

twelve tips for a greener Christmas at arocha.org.uk/our-twelve-tips-fora-greener-christmas.

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