Welcome to our weekly newsletter for the benefice. If you would like to be notified by email each week, please sign up using the form at the bottom of this page.
If you have any items for next week’s notices, please send them to manager@StGilesStMargarets.org by Wednesday.
Pew Sheets
The pew sheets for Sunday 1 December, including the readings, prayers and music details for Sunday’s services, are available to download below:
Sunday 1 December
First Sunday in Advent
8.00am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (said, 1662 BCP)
10.30am – St Margaret’s Holy Communion at Phil & Jim School (sung, Common Worship)
10.30am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (sung, 1662 BCP)
6.30pm – Advent Carol Service at St Giles’ (sung, 1662 BCP)
Almighty God,
give us grace to cast away the works of darkness
and to put on the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life,
in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;
that on the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Worship & prayer this week:
Morning Prayer: 8.30am Tuesday-Friday at St Giles’
St Giles’ open for quiet prayer: 12pm – 2pm, Monday-Friday
Evening Prayer: 5.30pm Monday-Saturday at St Giles’
Wednesday: 8pm Compline by Candlelight at St Giles’
Next Sunday (8 December):
Second Sunday in Advent
8.00am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (said, 1662 BCP)
10.30am – St Margaret’s Holy Communion at Phil & Jim School (sung, Common Worship)
10.30am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (sung, 1662 BCP)
6.30pm – Choral Evensong at St Giles’ (sung, 1662 BCP)
Parish News
Advent Carol Service
St Margaret’s go back to school
Starting from tomorrow (Sunday 1 December), St Margaret’s Church will be worshipping on Sunday mornings at 10.30am back at Phil and Jim School (Navigation Way, OX2 6AB) as we start our new liturgical year.
Please remember to bring a mug for a cup of tea or coffee afterwards!
Christmas Card Delivery
We are now preparing to deliver our Christmas Cards with information about services across the Benefice to our community. We are hoping to deliver to as many houses as possible in the Benefice. Please speak to or email Claire if you can help do a road or more! (associate@stgilesstmargarets.org).
Benefice Magazine
The latest issue of the Benefice Magazine is now out: please download it using the button below. If you would like to have a look at a paper copy there will be a handful in each church, but to save paper do browse digitally or leaf through the paper copies in church and return them!
New electoral roll for 2025
In 2025, all Church of England parishes wipe their electoral rolls blank, and everyone who wants to be on one needs to apply or re-apply. Both St Giles’ and St Margaret’s are starting the process a little early, from today.
If you’re not sure what an electoral roll is or why you should be on it – or if you do know and just want to re-apply – use the buttons below:
Benjamin Grønlie Concert
Former St Giles’ Chorister and Organ Scholar, Benjamin Grønlie, returns to give a piano recital in St Giles’ on Sunday 15 December at 16:00
Choir Christmas Party
Come and join us for a festive celebration and raffle in the Parish Hall adjacent to St Giles’ on Saturday 21 December at 18:55. Food and drink for all will be provided. Contributory tickets may be purchased at choir rehearsals and after Sunday services on 8 and 15 December: £6 Adult (16+), £3 Child, £15 Family Ticket (2 Adults; 2 Children under 16).
We will hold a raffle on the night. Raffle tickets are on sale for a £1 a strip. Please do let Miss Harris know if you can sell some. We already have some fantastic prizes Please do consider donating a prize for the raffle – there is a box in the choir vestry. We very much hope to see you on 21 December!
Recycled Christmas Cards
As last year, I have a huge number of beautiful old cards. Please take one from the box in church, contribute £1 and fashion your own unique card using some new card to glue your chosen image on. Children love to make cards for the family too! These beautiful ‘old ‘ cards collected over 50 years still carry the same Christmas message. If anyone would like to take a number and make them into new cards for return to church, we can then receive donations for these too – all funds to go to the Gatehouse. If you are at St Margaret’s, I can deliver any to you. – Helen Dodd
Jewellery Sale
The Famous FASHION JEWELLERY SALE returns! In aid of CHURCH FUNDS. A table with exciting fashion jewellery will be at the back of St Giles’ Church on Sundays 1st, 8th, and 15th December . Buy your last minute little gifts for Christmas – donations – mostly all at £3! Enjoy a good rummage. If you have items you can offer to replenish stock from last year, please see Jane Finnerty or Helen Dodd or leave in a labelled container in the kitchen.
Toy Appeal
As in year’s past we are organising a collection for the Salvation Army Christmas Toy Appeal. The local Salvation Army partner with social services to provide gifts for children at Christmas time who might otherwise go without. They gave gifts to over 100 families year and with the on-going impacts of the cost of living the need continues to rise in our city. All gifts need to be new. Please bring donations to St Giles’ on Sundays, or at lunchtimes in the week – there will be a labelled box at the back. Donations needs to be received by the Sunday 8th December. Thank you for your support!
They are especially interested in receiving colouring and craft sets and do not want soft toys.
- 0-3 years: dolls, cot mobiles, baby clothes, bath toys, puzzles
- 3-5: dolls and action figures, cars, lorries, colouring sets, pencils, crayons, books, puzzles
- 5-9: educational games & toys, stationery (colouring sets, pencils, crayons, school sets), books, puzzles, wordsearch, crosswords
- 9-12: games and toys, stationery, books, t-shirts, hair accessories, gloves, scarves, hats
- 13-16: books, make-up and toiletries (please try to ensure non-allergic ingredients if possible), gloves, scarves, hats, t-shirts, hair accessories and gift vouchers
Jazz at St Giles’: A Child’s Christmas
The next (non-sold out) Jazz at St Giles’ concert is Saturday 11th January 7:30pm: A Child’s Christmas, an evening of Jazz inspired by Dylan Thomas’ poem.
Little Fishes
Please note that Little Fishes is taking place at the Vicarage while the church is closed.
Browser Extension to Raise Money
Raise a free donation for St Margaret’s Church, Oxford when you shop online via #easyfundraising. Add the extension to your browser and whenever you shop online with one of 7,500+ easyfundraising’s partners they will make a donation to us! This includes Tesco, Sainsbury’s, John Lewis, Argos, Trainline and more! If you’re not supporting us on easyfundraising yet, now’s the perfect time to get involved.
Diocesan News
New bishops for Reading and Buckingham
This week, it was announced that the Revd Canon Dave Bull and the Revd Canon Mary Gregory will be the next Bishop of Buckingham and Bishop of Reading, respectively.
Winter issue of Pathways is here
The latest issue of Pathways, the Diocesan magazine, is out now – you can pick up a paper copy from church or download it from the Diocesan website below:
Community News
Tea & Talks
This series of Tea & Talks at the St Margaret’s Institute continues on Wednesday 4th December at 1:30pm with a talk on Put an end to crises: we can revive Britain’s prosperity, society and environment from Colin Mayer CBE, professor and author. Tickets are £2 on the door.
Street Pastors Newsletter
Do take a look at the latest newsletter from the Street Pastors – if you’re interested in getting involved volunteering for this organisation please see their website