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

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Merry Christmas!

Christmas is almost upon us. There is a sense of anticipation in the air. The crib has been set up ready for the All Age Crib Service at 4.30pm and we will gather later on Christmas Eve for the Midnight Mass at 11.30pm. We will gather again on Christmas morning for a Choral Eucharist at 10.30am. Everything is ready and prepared for you. We look forward to celebrating the joy of Christmas with you.

I wish you a very happy and joyful Christmas and every blessing for the new year,

The Revd Dr William Lamb
Vicar
The Week Ahead

Weekday Services

Tuesday   Christmas Eve  
09.00 Morning Prayer - Chancel
12.15 Eucharist  - Chancel
16.30 All Age Crib Service   - Nave
23.30 Midnight Mass  -  Nave

Wednesday  Christmas Day
10.30 Choral Eucharist Nave

Thursday  Stephen the Deacon
10.00 Eucharist -  Chancel

Friday  John the Apostle
10.00 Morning Prayer  -  Chancel
12.15 Eucharist  -  Chancel

Saturday  Holy Innocents

 For full listings of weekly evening services across the University, see our website.

Next Sunday

Sunday 29 December  The First Sunday of Christmas     
10.30   Sung Eucharist - Nave
            Preacher:  The Rev'd Alvyn Pettersen 

Monday  John Wyclif
10.00 Morning Prayer   -  Chancel
12.15 Eucharist   -  Chancel

Tuesday
10.00  Morning Prayer   - Chancel
12.15 Eucharist  - Chancel

Wednesday  The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus
12.15 Eucharist   - Chancel

Thursday  Basil and Gregory
09.00 Morning Prayer  -  Chancel
12.15 Eucharist   - Chancel

Friday
09.00 Morning Prayer  -  Chancel
12.15 Eucharist  -  Chancel
Decorating the Church for Christmas 
We will be decorating the church for Christmas on Christmas Eve, Monday 24 December, starting from 9.45 am. Everyone is welcome to come and help. Please bring flowers anyway and greenery. The theme will be mainly red, gold and white. Children welcome – lots to do. Donations of money for flowers will be most welcome – please hand into the Church Office.

Crib Service 
This fun interactive nativity service for all ages takes place on Christmas Eve at 4.30pm. Please come and join us.
Hilary 2020 Term Card

The term card for Hilary Term will be ready on Christmas Day. Pick one up with your order of service and look on our website for the online version. 
Christmas period Services and Opening Hours
You can find our Services and opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period here:
Opening Hours 
The Church Office will be closed from 1.00pm on Tuesday 24 December until 9.30am on Thursday 2nd January. The Church will be open at the following times (information about daily services can be found overleaf).

23rd December 9am - 4pm
24th December (Christmas Eve) 9am - 4pm
25th December (Christmas Day) 10am - 12noon
26th December (Boxing Day) 10am - 1pm
27th December 10am - 4pm
28th December 10am - 4pm
29th December 12noon - 4pm
30th December 10am - 4pm
31st December 10am - 3pm
1st January 2020 11.30am - 4pm
2nd January 10am - 4pm
3rd January 10am - 4pm
4th January 9am - 5pm
New Associate Vicar 
Our new Associate Vicar will start at St Mary’s on Sunday 5 January. We look forward to welcoming the Revd Dr Simon Thorn and his family. Simon comes to us from Winchester, where he has served as Dean of Chapel at Winchester College.
The Oxford Winter Night Shelter 

We are recruiting volunteers for January-March 2020, when once again churches will offer beds to up to 20 rough sleepers a night. Last year 300 people volunteered for evening, night and early morning shifts. Of the guests who made use of the shelters, over half did not return to rough sleeping. To volunteer this year, visit ownsoxford.org.uk, and register for a training/refresher session.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
The Parochial Church Council has recently revised and approved a new Safeguarding Policy in light of guidance from the Diocese of Oxford.  This means that every member of staff and volunteer at St Mary's needs to have the requisite DBS check and undergo the relevant level of training. This is important and urgent.  Attending to these matters ensures that we become alert and attentive to the issues around safeguarding.  No one can ever anticipate a situation in which they find themselves listening to a disclosure about a painful episode in someone's life.  Knowing how to respond in a way which will protect the most vulnerable is an essential part of our Christian vocation. 
St Mary's Church, High Street, OX1 4BJ, Oxford, United Kingdom
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    This is an online snapshot of a newsletter created by the owner of universitychurch (University Church of St Mary, St Mary's Church, High Street, OX1 4BJ Oxford, United Kingdom) and sent via GetResponse on 2019-12-23. Report abuse