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

Seeking the Common Good

By Professor Sarah Mortimer

The ‘common good’ is a powerful and evocative phrase, drawing us towards those aims and ideals that we share together. We hear politicians and leaders invoke it – and we often pray for it in church. But what the common good might mean is far from straightforward, especially when we know that all human beings are unique and there are many different ideas of what is good and fulfilling. Given this complexity and diversity, how do we find what is common, how can we come to agreement on things that matter to us, but without sacrificing our individuality? And what role can churches play in helping – or hindering – the search for the common good?

This term we will be exploring these issues in a series of podcasts and discussions, starting this Wednesday at 8pm on Zoom and continuing on 24 February and 10 March. This week, I will be joined by Mariëtta van der Tol, who is a constitutional theorist and Alfred Landecker postdoctoral fellow at the Blavatnik School of Government. She was also recently Licensed as a Lay Minister in the Church of England. To start the series off, Mariëtta and I have recorded a short podcast. In it we talk about approaching the 'common good' through a genuine conversation about the kind of society we want to live in, and we discuss why it’s so important to include all members of society in that conversation. You can listen to the podcast at the link below and we look forward to talking more about these issues with you on Wednesday.

Seeking the Common Good Podcast

Intercollegiate Service 2021

The practice of delivering University Sermons dates back to the earliest days of the University. Each year eminent men and women from many different traditions are invited by the Vice-Chancellor to deliver sermons ‘before the University’.

The University’s motto from Psalm 27, Dominus illuminatio mea (The Lord is my light), captures something of its purpose: an occasion for the illumination of the mind in the context of prayer.

Today, these sermons occur at the University Church and in College Chapels across the University. Every year during Hilary Term, an Intercollegiate Service takes place at the University Church as members of different Colleges gather together at St Mary’s for a University Sermon. This year, we are unable to gather, but we are very grateful that the Revd Dr Sam Wells, the Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, has recorded his University Sermon, which is presented here as a podcast with recordings from many different Colleges of the University.

Intercollegiate Service 2021

Sunday 7 February: Second Sunday before Lent

(Sexagesima)

Sunday Services

There will be two services on Sunday 7 February.

8.30am - Holy Eucharist in the Chancel

10.30am - Sung Eucharist in the Nave

The capacity for these services is now full. There is a waiting list available.

Those attending must have registered on Eventbrite to ensure that we have your contact details for test and trace, and to ensure that we maintain social distancing.

On the day of the service, please remember to arrive in good time to ensure everyone gets seated in a safe and organised manner before the beginning of the service. It is a legal requirement to wear a mask when attending our services, unless you are exempt.

Registration for services on Sunday 14 February 2021 as well as Ash Wednesday will be possible on the website at 12noon on Sunday 7 February.

Sunday Focus:

Join us for a fun quiz on Zoom at 4pm on Sunday.

There will be an opportunity to enjoy a cuppa, chat and maybe google some answers. No judgement.

Online Worship:

Every Sunday, we will publish a recording of the 10.30am service at 1pm.

Please subscribe to our social media channels to ensure you see the videos in your newsfeed and you are alerted to all our other online events coming in Hilary term.

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Hilary Term

Bible Study - Thursdays, 12.45pm on Zoom

In the course of Hilary Term, we will be exploring Luke's gospel through the resources provided by the Visual Commentary on Scripture.

11 February Luke 10:29–37 The Good Samaritan

Poetry Hour - Wednesday, 5.30pm

Join us for an hour of the consolation and insight given by writing and reading of poetry. Wednesday evenings on 27th Jan, 10th Feb, 24th Feb, 10th Mar.

This week we will be looking at poems by Edward Thomas and William Stafford, and will explore creating poems from fragments.

Click here to see the termcard and all our events for this term.

If you would like to sign up for any of our events, please fill out the Keeping in touch form here.