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

 

Why Mary?


by the Revd Dr Jane Baun


Anyone who has ever had a lift in my 15-year-old Aegean-blue VW Polo may remember that she is called the Madonnamobile. Bearing a small Greek icon of Our Lady on the dashboard, and a vinyl sticker nestled in a rear side window of stained glass from Walsingham, she is a travelling shrine. Why Mary? Before you dismiss such adornments as superstitious, possibly idolatrous, frippery, pause for a moment. Our church, after all, is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, the most common dedication for churches in England by a long shot (2,368, followed by All Saints, at 1,467). No matter what our orientation towards Marian devotion, Mary is a cultural and Christian force to be reckoned with. And Mary has something for each one of us. In this coming week, on Monday, 15 August, Christians around the world will observe Mary’s main feast. Whether they mark it as the Assumption (the Roman Catholic doctrine that Mary was assumed bodily into heaven at her death), the Dormition (the more sober Eastern Orthodox version, that Mary’s body stayed on earth while Jesus whisked her soul straight into heaven), or The Blessed Virgin Mary (the characteristic Anglican compromise, allowing for a variety of conclusions), the feast invites us to meditate on Mary’s life, witness, and ongoing activity as a member of the Communion of Saints. This 15 August, whatever our relationship to the Mother of Our Lord, we can all celebrate the extraordinary courage and constancy of the first-century Judean woman known as Mariam, give thanks for her grace-filled life—and death—and be inspired by her example.


Image: Dormition of the Virgin (1431/32), Fra Angelico (Florence, San Marco Museum)

Livestreamed Services

at the University Church

SUNDAY 14 AUGUST, 10.30AM

President: The Revd Dr William Lamb

Preacher: Dr Sarah Mortimer

We are back live streaming our morning service. Please bear with us as we get accustomed to our new AV system and train new staff. For any comments or suggestions, please email ana-maria.niculcea@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk

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


THOMAS MERTON - A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION

We are hosting a new free exhibition in the Adam de Brome chapel, of photographs belonging to the Trappist monk, Thomas Merton. St. Mary's Esther de Waal has graciously curated a series of his photographs, accompanied by Merton's own words and created a deeply moving and thought-provoking experience. The exhibition is free to see during our usual opening hours.


ORGAN RECITAL: SUNDAY 14 AUGUST

Join us on Sunday at 15.30 for an organ recital by James Lancelot, who was for many years the Master of the Choristers and Organist at Durham Cathedral. Next week we welcome Michael Koenig, Graduate Organist at Exeter College.


THE GATEHOUSE

The Gatehouse, with which this church has been historically very involved, is looking for volunteers to staff sessions and to make sandwiches. See Victoria for more information. victoria@morthome.com 07736 163237


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


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.

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

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