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

 

The Bampton Lectures 2002


by the Revd Dr William Lamb


On 10th and 17th May, we will welcome Professor Alec Ryrie FBA, University of Durham, as our Bampton Lecturer. The Bampton Lectures are prestigious lectures which have taken place at the University Church since the 1780s. The lecturer is invited to address an aspect of Christian Theology, and over the years lectures have ranged from science and religion, to biblical studies, church history and apologetics. This year, Professor Ryrie will be speaking about ’The Age of Hitler and how we can escape it’. His thesis is that ever since the Second World War, Western culture has used the narrative of the Second World War to define its values - our only true fixed moral reference point has been our shared rejection of Nazism. 


But is this true? Is Adolf Hitler now a more potent moral figure than Jesus Christ? Certainly, the shadow of the Second World War hangs heavy over modern Europe, whether it is the contemporary politician stirring up nationalistic fervour by appealing to the legacy of Winston Churchill, or the Russian propaganda that seeks, rather absurdly, to justify Putin's war against Ukraine as a project of ‘de-Nazification’. Do our theological commitments help us to critique populism and nationalism? Or, in the context of the ‘culture wars’ in Europe and North America, are those same theological commitments being used in order to validate them? 


These lectures will certainly be provocative and controversial. Professor Ryrie will challenge us to think about the assumptions which underpin our own moral reasoning as well as the ways in which the Christian Church might contribute fruitfully to public debate at a time when secular values appear increasingly brittle and fractured. The lectures will be available online as well as in person. You can book by following the link below.

https://www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk/content/bampton-lectures

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Notices


GODLY PLAY

This Sunday (1 May), our monthly Godly Play session for children 3-8 years old and their families, will take place in the Old Library during the first 45 minutes of the service after which families will re-join the service for communion.


QUIET CREATIVITY

Saturday 7 May, 10am-1pm, Old Library

Join us for a morning of quiet companionship and bring a project, a book or just enjoy the refreshments, in the Old Library. Email: ana-maria.niculcea@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk


BAMPTON LECTURES

Tuesday 10 and 17 May 10am and 11.30am – ‘The Age of Hitler and how we can escape it’ Join us for this year’s Bampton Lectures delivered by Professor Alec Ryrie FBA, Professor of the History of Christianity in the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University. More information here.


PARISH LUNCH

Sunday 15 May, 12pm, Old Library

We are happy to announce that we are resuming Parish Lunches and the first one is going to be held on Sunday 15 May at 12.00 in the Old Library.  If you are able to help with this, please could you contact Julia Reece or Janet Greenland on Sunday or email the church office: admin@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk  


STILE ANTICO

We are delighted to announce that Stile Antico will be Ensemble in Residence at the University Church from May 2022 – April 2023. This exceptional early music vocal ensemble will be offering a series of concerts through the year as well as a number of outreach initiatives. To launch this exciting partnership, there will be a performance of a new programme of music, The Mystic Rose, exploring glorious music written in honour of St Mary the Virgin, on Wednesday 18 May at 8.00pm. Tickets cost £30, £20 and £10 (restricted view). Book here.


LUNCHTIME BIBLE STUDY

Our bible studies resume at 12.45pm on Thursdays in the Old Library. We will be studying the parables of Jesus. Everyone is welcome.


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.

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

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