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

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Wild Exploration of God – Through Children’s Eyes

Whenever I feel homesick for my community back in Washington, DC, USA, I pull out my scrapbook from teaching early years and Sunday school. On the Sunday school page, there are abstract drawings, folded pieces of paper, sketches of dinosaurs, and a note written by the oldest student: “God is with you always.”
These words, spelled out with the inconsistently sized letters and wavering hand of children’s writing, give me comfort every time I read them. I’m awestruck at the wisdom of those words they chose. These were the exact words I needed to hear when I was leaving my home of 6 years, and that they continue to be the exact words I need to hear when I feel lonely, sad, or uncertain. How did they know?
According to Alison Gopnik, they may have been able to distill that wisdom precisely because they are young children. Between the ages of zero and five, the brain is undergoing the most active period of development in the human lifespan. The brain’s ability to control and regulate itself is not yet developed, and instead, as Gopink puts it, young children are in a state of “wild exploration” where they are fully open to the world around them. Indeed, they are fully open to God in ways that are fundamentally different from adults.
As the state-based early childhood education system debates, innovates, and aims to strike the right balance between targeted focus on literacy and mathematics and play, I am struck by the opportunity the church has to provide children with the space for the “wild exploration” of God. I like to think this is what we did back at my church in DC, and that using the Godly Play format fostered the development of what the Reggio Emilia approach calls the 100 languages of children. By giving children the opportunity to play and explore their spirituality, the children were able to cultivate a multitude of “languages” through which express their thinking and connect with God.
Some of these languages are reflected in the artwork that surrounds the “God is with you always” note on my scrapbook page. I’m struck that there are other pieces of wisdom and insight in that artwork, just in a language that I do not understand. It’s another reminder for me of the unique ways that young children engage with God. It is also a call for me to continue to create the space for children to grow in that relationship with Him at this special time in their lives.
Lord, just like young children, may we all make use of many languages to hear your voice and share your love with others.

Laura White 
The Week Ahead

Sunday 
10.30  Choral Eucharist - Nave
12.00  Intercessors' Meeting  - Old Library
15.30  Choral Evensong 
Preacher: Revd Dr William Lamb 

Weekday Services

Monday  Janani Luwan, Martyr 1977
09.00  Morning Prayer - Chancel
12.15  Eucharist  - Chancel
18.00  Choral Evensong  - Christ Church 

Tuesday   
09.00  Morning Prayer - Chancel
12.15  Eucharist - Chancel
18.00  Book Club - Keepers
18.40  PCC Meeting - Old Library 

Wednesday  
09.00   Morning Prayer - Chancel
12.15   Eucharist - Chancel
19.30  Art of Modern Conversation - Old Library

Thursday  
09.00  Morning Prayer - Chancel
12.15  Eucharist - Chancel
12.45  Lunchtime Bible Study - Old Library
18.15  Choral Evensong - Merton College  

Friday  
09.00  Morning Prayer - Chancel
12.15  Eucharist - Chancel
15.00  Wedding - Nave
18.30 Choral Evensong - Queen's College

Saturday  
18.00  Choral Evensong - Magdalen College

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

Next Sunday

Sunday 23 February   The Sunday Next before Lent
10.30  Choral Eucharist -  Preacher:  The Revd Dr Simon Thorn   
12.00  Parish Lunch - Old Library  
15.30  Jazz Vespers - Preacher: Revd Dr William Lamb
Passion and Compassion Oxford

Drawing on the ancient spiritual devotion of the Stations of the Cross, we invite you to participate in a journey of reflection and discovery in the city of Oxford.

Using the website or the mobile application, weave your way around our ancient city, where key works of art can be found - in both religious and secular spaces, from churches to museums, and even city rooftops.

On this journey, you will be accompanied by leading academics, theologians and artists, contemplating the profound meaning of the Stations of the Cross through some of Oxford’s most impressive works of art.

A linked exhibition of all 14 Stations of the Cross will be up in the Adam De Brome Chapel starting this Sunday until Easter week.

www.passionandcompassion.org
Art of Modern Conversation

In the ever-shifting patterns of our online selves, where we move between the real and the unreal and where truth becomes a political and social commodity, is the art of conversation lost? This series explores how our patterns of engagement are changing and how all the minutiae of conversations, the things we say and the things we leave unsaid are affected by virtual environments. Join us in the Old Library from 19:30-21:00 to find out more. Entrance through Radcliffe Square.

19 Feb Is Our Online Self Less Human?
The Revd Canon Bruce Kinsey & The Revd Dr Melanie Marshall
EXPLORING THE THEOLOGY OF EQUAL MARRIAGE

A Moot will take place on Monday 24 February at 7.30pm in the Nave. In response to changes in legislation relating to marriage and civil partnerships in recent years, the Church has been slow to respond and adapt to the significant societal changes in attitudes towards relationships and questions of sexuality. In this panel discussion, Professor Helen King (Classical Studies, Open University, and contributor to Living in Love and Faith), the Very Revd Dr Jeffrey John (Dean of St Alban’s), and Professor Diarmaid Macculloch (St Cross College), will discuss the various changes which have attended the church’s understanding of marriage over the centuries and the way in which Christians can respond constructively and creatively to more recent developments, drawing on scripture, tradition and reason. Tickets are available from Eventbrite.
Bookclub

Tuesdays 21 January - 10 March, 6 - 7pm
Keepers, 73 High Street, Oxford

Raymond Carver called Anton Chekhov ‘the greatest short story writer who has ever lived’. Elusive and subtle, spare and unadorned, the stories in this collection are among Chekhov's most poignant and lyrical.

Each week, someone introduces a discussion on one of the stories.

18 February- Rothschild’s Violin
25 February - The Bishop
3 March - About Love
10 March - The Lady with the little dog

For more details, contact Ana-Maria at ana-maria.niculcea@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk 

THE ADVENTURES OF KING DAVID

The Bible Study takes place at 12.45pm in the Old Library on Thursdays during term.  This week we will be exploring ‘David and the Temple’ and looking at 1 Chronicles 28 (compare Sirach 47, 2 Samuel 7 and 1 Kings 5). Hot drinks provided. You are welcome to bring a packed lunch.
POETRY WORKSHOP

Join us in the Old Library at 17.30 on the following Wednesdays for an exploration of the poetry written in response to climate change and for writing exercises challenging how we might respond to climate change through poetry. Tea and biscuits are provided.

Entrance via the Vaults & Garden Cafe

Wednesday 26th February

Wednesday 11th March 
MEETING FOR INTERCESSORS

There will be a meeting at 12 noon on Sunday 16 February, for all those involved in leading intercessions.

Parish Lunch

There will be a Parish Lunch in the Old Library next Sunday (23rd February) at 12.00. Everyone is welcome. If you would like to help or assist with this bring and share lunch, please have a word with Julia Reece or Katie Hicks.

ASH WEDNESDAY

On Ash Wednesday (Wednesday 26 February), there will be a Eucharist at 12.15pm, and then an Intercollegiate Sung Eucharist at 8.00pm in the evening. Please make a note in your diary.
Termcard

 To see our full term card, click the link below or look at our website.

https://www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk/content/hilary-term-2020 
St Mary's Church, High Street, OX1 4BJ, Oxford, United Kingdom
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