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

 

The Overview Effect


by the Revd Hannah Cartwright


When was the last time you experienced awe?

Or ‘took a step back’ to ‘view the bigger picture’ and were overcome by something beyond yourself?


‘The overview effect’ is a phenomenon experienced by astronauts when they look at the world from space. It is characterised by an overwhelming sense of awe and a new appreciation of the interconnectedness of earth and life on it. One astronaut, Edgar Mitchell described coming to new awareness that the molecules found in the bodies of the vast deeps of space in which he was travelling were the same as those which made up his body - prototyped in the stars - and that we are, in fact, ‘stardust’.


Until mid-July, a phenomenal touring artwork, the Gaia earth installation by Luke Jerram, hangs in the nave of our church as part of the Oxford Festival of the Arts and this Sunday at 3:30pm we will hold a special Climate Sunday service under the shadow of the artwork to renew our commitment to caring for all God’s creation.

The installation hopes to help us glimpse something of the overview effect of which the astronauts speak and, through tapping into our sense of awe, to reignite in us a renewed commitment to combatting climate change.


You may remember that at the recent confirmations, Bishop Steven used a new additional promise for the first time as part of the commission. In it he asked, and we responded:

Will you strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth?

With the help of God I will


This new promise which we each make as part of living out our baptismal faith is not simply a topical one but also a deeply essential expression of what it means to be good stewards of the earth which has been entrusted to the care of humanity.

It is a profound a moving truth that, as we are reminded on Ash Wednesday, we are dust and to dust we shall return. But the awe inspired by taking God’s view of the earth reminds us that this also means we are, in fact, star dust and that the hands which both flung stars into space and also surrendered to cruel nails are those in which all creation, including our planet and each one of us, are held in eternity.

Livestreamed Services

at the University Church

The Second Sunday after Trinity - Sunday 26 June

10.30am Sung Eucharist

Livestreamed Services Playlist

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Notices


LOST BOOK

Unfortunately, we had a mix-up at the Book Swap last Sunday and a book which wasn't meant to be in the book swap, was separated from its owner. If you picked up a hardback copy of Donal Ryan 'The Spinning Heart', we would be grateful if you emailed us at admin@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk.


CLIMATE JUSTICE SERVICE: SUNDAY, 26 JUNE, 3:30 PM

Join us for a service for climate justice to focus our prayer and action on caring for the earth we have been entrusted with stewarding. With contributions from the St Mary’s Green Team.


LATE NIGHT OPENING ‘GAIA EARTH’: FRIDAY 1ST JULY 7.30PM

As part of Oxford Festival of the Arts, Luke Jerram’s Gaia Earth exhibit has been installed and will be free to view in Church until 10th July. The artwork ‘provides the viewer with a new perspective of our place on the planet: a sense that societies of the Earth are all interconnected and that we have a responsibility toward one another’. We are delighted to welcome the artist to speak on his work at a late night opening on Friday 1st July at 7:30pm. There will be late opening nights on 30 June, 1, 7 & 8 July so the church will be open until 10pm.


12.15PM EUCHARISTS

The new wiring work will be continuing in church over the next week. Please note that this means that the 12.15pm eucharist will not be able to take place until the completion of the work. The weekday eucharists will resume on Monday 4th July.


‘NEXT STEPS’ COMMUNITY MEETING: TUESDAY 5TH JULY 6.00PM

Following the encouraging and fruitful community meetings held before Easter, we are keen to action some of the great ideas generated by the congregation for developing the life of our existing St Mary’s community and also to discuss some practical steps we can take as a church in reaching out to the wider community within the city. If you have a passion for Oxford and her people you are very welcome to join us in the Old Library at 6.00pm on 5th July. Speak to Hannah Cartwright for more details.


SUPPORTING UKRAINIAN REFUGEES

The Diocese of Oxford has joined Citizens UK in providing a safer, more streamlined system designed to provide support for those undertaking the sponsorship process for supporting Ukrainian Refugees. For more information on hosting or supporting refugees visit: www.oxford.anglican.org/everyday-faith/becoming-a-christian/how-to/make-a-difference-in-ukraine.php


STILE ANTICO: ENSEMBLE IN RESIDENCE

Stile Antico, our Ensemble in Residence, will be offering two events in the

autumn. There is a concert, A Garden of Delights, which will take place at 8.00pm on 23 September 2022, and a workshop for singers on Saturday 12 November 2022 beginning at 2.30pm. Please make a note in your diaries if you would like to attend either of these events. You can book on the church website.


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.

Events elsewhere in the University


NEW VISONS OF JULIAN OF NORWICH

International hybrid conference, "New Visions of Julian of Norwich", 15th and 16th July 2022, Somerville College, Oxford University. More details here.


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

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