News from the University Church of St Mary the Virgin

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Subject: News from the University Church of St Mary the Virgin

A Visitation

by Janet Greenland

Not having been brought up in the Church of England my only ecclesiastical point of reference for a Visitation was the Angel Gabriel coming to Mary, so some years ago was mildly disappointed to learn from Brian Mountford that we were not expecting the Archangel, but the Archdeacon of Oxford.

Visitations are conducted by the Archdeacon, and were originally occasions at which churchwardens were sworn in, and asked to report on the morality of the clergy and their parishioners. Now churchwardens are sworn in at a different ceremony, but a parish can expect a Visitation every three years, when the administration is examined, as well as the health of the congregation, and future plans.

St Mary’s had a successful Visitation in December, with only a few minor glitches in administration, easily remedied.

A Visitation gives us a chance for self-examination. After the last two extraordinary years, which included the Church being closed for worship for the first time in its history, we are now in a period of reflection, and re-assessment of our role in the temporal and spiritual life of the city. We have a beautiful building, and with the recent refurbishment and the new roof, are ready for the next 100 years.

How will we rebuild and grow our congregation? How serve the needs of those who come into the High St every day? Above all, how reflect the Glory of God seen in this wonderful building, and witnessed to in generations of worship here?

Livestreamed Services at the University Church

Sunday 6 February

10.30am - Choral Eucharist

Sunday 6 February

5.30pm - Intercollegiate Service

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Book your visit to the Tower online

The Tower is now open and you can book a ticket online for your visit at the link below. You can find more information as well as our Terms & Conditions on our website.

Online Bookings

Notices

PALM CROSSES

Please bring your old palm crosses back to be burned in preparation for Ash Wednesday and leave them in the basket at the back of Church.

ECUMENICAL PRAYER SERVICE

Friday 4th February, 5pm - Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy. A special service to pray for Christians in the Holy Land, led by the Rt Rev William Kenney, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Birmingham. As well as praying for the relief of the plight of our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, we hope that those that attend our service will not only better understand the challenges these Christians face but also be inspired to help us spread awareness in their local community. For more info visit: http:/ /www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/

QUIET CREATIVITY

Saturday 5th February, 10am - 1pm - Old Library. You are warmly invited to bring your own creative project and enjoy a relaxed morning of quiet productivity in the company of like-minded people. Snacks, coffee, and tea will be provided. For more details, contact ana-maria.niculcea@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk

GODLY PLAY
Our monthly Godly Play session for children 3-8 years old and their families, takes place this Sunday in the Old Library during the first 15 minutes of the service after which families will re-join the service for communion. Godly Play is a joyful, play based learning experience consisting of an interactive story and response time where children use art and other creative outlets to explore their relationship with God. If you have a buggy which you would like to take up to the Old Library, please use the tower door and ask a steward to assist you with the lift.

THEOLOGY CAFE

'Religion and Education: Should UK Schools Teach British Values?' Monday 7th February, 7.30pm - Old Library. Dr Dafydd Mills Daniel will lead a discussion on the relationship between religious and moral education, reflecting on current UK education policy, and building on both his research into the theology of education and his own experiences of teacher training on the PGCE.

LANDSCAPES OF FAITH

Due to the high case numbers of Covid-19 in Oxford, we have decided to postpone Landscapes of Faith until next term. For more details closer to the time please email: learning@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk

POETRY HOUR

Wednesday 9th February from 5.30 pm - 6.30 pm in the Old Library.

Join us for the second Poetry Hour of term for an hour of reading, discussing and writing poetry. This week we will be reading & responding to poems by HO.

NEW TO ST MARY’S? If you are new to St Mary’s and have started coming to services in the last six months or so, we may not have your contact details. If you would like to find out more about what is going on at the University Church, please email admin@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk with your name, address and telephone number and ask for your name to be added to the Parish Directory. This directory is used only by parish staff but it enables us to get in touch with you as the need arises.

An event that might be of interest, elsewhere in the University:

Free Jean Jones Art Exhibition in St Cross Church