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

 

In new light


by Dr Sarah Mortimer


A few weeks ago, the last of the scaffolding came down. Since then the spring sunshine has streamed into the nave, illuminating the stone carvings and – in late morning – lending the pulpit a bright glow. But the repair work also allowed us to see the church from new angles and new perspectives, through photos taken from the cherry-picker platform high in the nave. One of these photos really struck me: in it the shape of the pulpit is elongated, it looks almost like the font.


Perhaps this effect is chance, a trick of the light. But perhaps it also reflects the metaphors and imagery in the scripture, especially John’s gospel where Jesus offers both the water and the words of eternal life. It reminds us too that sometimes we get so used to one way of seeing things that we can overlook connections, or a sense of the whole. When we take the time and the opportunity to look from a different place, our imagination becomes engaged and suddenly what has been so familiar can gain new meaning.


In these days after Easter, we are invited to see all creation anew, to be drawn away from our usual viewpoints and to see our world instead in the light of the resurrection and in the context of God’s story of hope and liberation. High-tech machines and new photos can surprise us and help us, but sometimes it is simply the joyful alleluias which remind us of that Easter light.

Livestreamed Services

at the University Church

The Fourth Sunday of Easter - Sunday 8 May

10.30am Choral Eucharist

President: The Revd Hannah Cartwright

Preacher: The Archbishop of York

Livestreamed Services Playlist

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Notices


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.


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.


POETRY HOUR

Wednesday 11th May from 5.30 pm – 6.30 pm in the Old Library.

Join us for the second Poetry Hour of term for an hour of reading, discussing and writing poetry. This week we will be reading and responding to the poem Gettysburg: July 1 1863 by the 20th century American poet Jane Kenyon.


LANDSCAPES OF FAITH

Thursday, 12 May, 2pm, Ashmolean Museum

We still have a few more places left for this tour of the Western Art Print room in the Ashmolean Museum, as we explore the way in which landscape helps us to think about the divine in our daily lives. If you're interested in attending, please email the Vicar, vicar@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk.


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

Wednesday, 18 May, 8.00pm

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.


INTERFAITH FRIENDSHIP WALK

Thursday 19 May, 6pm, Synagogue in Richmond Rd

The Interfaith Friendship Walk will take place on Thursday 19 May, starting from the synagogue in Richmond Rd at 6 pm and ending up at the Central Mosque in Manzil Way at about 7.45 pm, stopping at St Giles churchyard (6.25 pm) and Radcliffe Sq (7.00 pm) on the way. After the walk, the Muslim and Jewish communities provide supper for all in the mosque courtyard. This is a wonderful event, which you can join at any stage. We are looking for volunteer stewards and for people with first aid training. Please be in touch with Mary Lean if you can help.


BEATING OF THE BOUNDS

Thursday, 26 May, 9am, Nave

We're delighted to be able to resume our annual Beating of the Bounds trail of our parish boundaries this Ascension Day. Join us from 9am in the Nave for this family-friendly trail around central Oxford.


LUNCHTIME BIBLE STUDY

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

https://www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk/content/parables-jesus


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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