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

City of Doors


by Dr Sarah Mortimer


Oxford is a city of doors – some often open, many usually closed. Like Alice in Wonderland, all of us will have looked through doors in the city at some time, wondering what lies beyond, curious about whether we might one day pass through. This weekend, many of those doors will be unlocked as part of Oxford Open Doors, when people are invited to see the city in new ways, discovering its secret places. I’ll never forget seeing All Souls chapel for the first time one Open Doors weekend. After many hours of gazing at the college’s clean, classical lines through the Radcliffe Camera windows, I was taken aback to find a throng of golden angels lining the chapel roof!


Stepping over a threshold, being invited in to a new or unfamiliar place – these moments help us to see our city differently and experience it afresh. Our assumptions and expectations can be challenged, our understanding of each other deepened. Standing in our neighbour’s spaces, we are reminded of the many and varied communities that make up our city, and the multiple layers of history that have shaped them. And as guests in each other’s spaces, going through each other’s doors, we can help to build friendship and understanding between those communities.


Our doors at St Mary’s will be open this weekend, as usual, and we look forward to welcoming many visitors. Some will never have seen the church before, some will have distant memories of it, others will know it well. Each visitor brings something unique. For the sharing of spaces across the city is also a sharing of stories, stories that enrich us all.

Online Worship:


Every Sunday, we livestream the 10.30am service on our YouTube channel.


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.

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


OPEN DOORS: SATURDAY 11 SEPTEMBER

The University Church has been visited by many illustrious figures, who left their mark on the building, the University and the whole of English History. Meet five of the most famous ones, Elizabeth I, Archbishop William Laud, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, John Henry Newman and John Wesley, expertly led by one of our accredited guides and listen to a tale woven over the centuries. We're organising two guided tours, a free 3pm tour with Brian Lowe and a 7pm, Candlelit Tour (including the Tower) with Christine Bainbridge, which costs £10. Registration through Eventbrite.

3pm Free Tour. This tour is now sold out.

7pm Candlelit Tour (incl Tower): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/168235363501 


RIDE AND STRIDE 2021

The annual ‘Ride and Stride’, in aid of the Oxfordshire Historic Churches

Trust, will take place on Saturday 11 September. Participants either walk or

cycle around the Diocese visiting churches. We have some volunteers who

have kindly agreed to help but if you would like to help, please let us know.

Volunteers welcome Riders and Striders and sign off their sponsorship forms

on the day. If you are able to help, please speak to one of the clergy.


InSpire Hope4Creation Weekend, 17-19 September

As part of the preparations for COP26 and helping people to think how their church community might respond, there is a 'Hope4Creation' weekend conference on Friday 17 - Sunday 19 September.

We welcome participants from churches throughout the Deanery and we would love you to take part. Further Details here


COMMUNITY EMERGENCY FOOD BANK (CEF) CEF, based at St Francis Church, Cowley, provides nutritionally balanced food parcels for individuals and families in temporary crisis or hardship. If you would like to help, please put your donations of non-perishable foods into the CEF box which can be found in the Adam de Brome Chapel every Sunday. Currently there is a particular need for tinned vegetables, fruit, meat and fish, longlife milk and juices, and practical toiletries - but all donations welcome.


St Mary's Church, High Street, OX1 4BJ, Oxford, United Kingdom

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