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

 

Give us this day our daily bread


by the Revd Dr William Lamb


I have just spent ten days in south-eastern Turkey visiting the monasteries of Ṭūr ‘Abdin. These ancient communities, some dating back to the fourth century, form the heartland of Syrian Orthodox monasticism. The language spoken in the liturgy is Syriac, while in day to day conversation, language flits from Turoyo (Ṭūr ‘Abdinian Aramaic), Turkish, Kurdish, German and English, with classical Syriac being used for the liturgy. But in spite of the variety of languages spoken, Ṭūr ‘Abdin’s own little Pentecost, monastery meals are eaten in silence. Every meal begins and ends with the Lord’s Prayer in Syriac, which is a form of Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus and his first disciples.


Listening to these words before and after meals, I was struck by the extraordinary sense of continuity as these words are handed on from generation to generation. In a marginalised community, which has in recent decades faced persecution and suspicion, it was moving to contemplate the faithfulness of this community in handing on the faith to young families who were visiting these communities as pilgrims. But it also made me aware how the home is a vital place for handing on the faith. In the past, we may have expected schools and churches to take responsibility for this – but now all of us must do so. Where will future generations learn the Lord’s Prayer? Perhaps if we utter those words in thanksgiving before and after meals, we may yet keep the rumour of God alive in our own generation and give thanks to the God who gives us each day our daily bread.

SUMMER OPENING HOURS


July brings with it our summer opening hours:

Monday - Saturday: 9.30am – 6pm

Sunday 12noon – 6pm


Please note the church might be closed at short notice for specific events. For the most up to date information, always check our website.

Livestreamed Services

at the University Church

Due to the sound system installation, we won't be able to livestream the Sung Eucharist this Sunday, 17 July either.

We are aiming to restart properly on Sunday 7 August. Should anything change, we will keep you updated.

Livestreamed Services Playlist

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

Notices


CHORAL EVENSONG: SUNDAY 24 JULY – 3:30PM

Join us today (and on Sunday afternoons throughout July) for an uplifting service of choral music, sung by the University Church choir. This week features repertoire by Vaughan-Williams, Byrd, Weelkes and Tallis. This service, devised during the English Reformation by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, draws on the Christian Scriptures and the ancient monastic offices of Vespers and Compline; it offers a simple, elegant framework for reflection and prayer.


THOMAS MERTON – A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION,

15 JULY - 15 SEPTEMBER, ADAM DE BROME CHAPEL

From 15 July we are hosting a new free exhibition in the Adam de Brome chapel, of photographs belonging to the Trappist monk, Thomas Merton. Our own Esther de Waal has graciously curated a series of his photographs, accompanied by his own words and created a deeply moving and thought-provoking experience. Free to see during our normal opening hours. There will be a launch drinks reception after evensong on Sunday 24 July. Email ana-maria.niculcea@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk for more details.


THE OXFORD PROMS

The Oxford Proms are delighted to announce five evening concerts taking place in St Mary's during August. Tickets and more information are available on the Oxford Proms website: www .oxfordproms.org


VOLUNTEERS AT THE UNIVERSITY CHURCH

If you are interested in volunteering opportunities, please speak to Ana-Maria Niculcea or email her: ana-maria.niculcea@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk


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 BOOK RELEASE: CAMEOS OF FAITH, TODDY HOARE

Cameos of Faith is a collection of theologically and spiritually inspired poems penned as reflections to stimulate or help in turn all readers to think, meditate, and pray a little more. Subject matter ranges from saints to sculpture, Scripture to spirituality, creation to Christmas, Easter to eternity, climate change to cuckoos, environment to evolution. Whether kept by the bedside for an evening thought or during sleepless hours, or referred to as a thought for the day or a prompt for prayer, or used as food for thought when traveling, readers will be stimulated and will hopefully keep a copy handy. Available on Amazon or any good bookshop.


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 Oxford


AN EVENING ABOUT ELVIS PRESLEY, HIS FAITH AND RELIGIOUS MUSIC

St Michael at the North Gate, Wednesday 27 July, 5.30pm

The brief (15 min) Service of Compline will be followed by a talk exemplifying Elvis' music, and exploring his faith and religious music. The Talk will be given by Revd Anthony Buckley, the Oxford City Rector and Vicar of St Michael at the North Gate, Oxford. Anthony has been a lifelong fan of Elvis.

There will be a collection to help towards the cost of refreshments.

Please register for your free ticket here.

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

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