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 our services on 2 February, including the readings, prayers and music details, are available to download below:
Sunday 2 February
Presentation of Christ (Candlemas)
8.00am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (said, 1662 BCP)
10.30am – Joint Benefice Holy Communion at St Giles’ (sung, Common Worship)
6.30pm – Choral Evensong at St Giles’ (sung, 1662 BCP)
Almighty and ever-living God,
clothed in majesty,
whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple,
in substance of our flesh:
grant that we may be presented to you
with pure and clean hearts,
by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Worship & prayer this week:
St Giles’ open for quiet prayer: 12pm – 2pm, Monday-Friday
Evening Prayer: 5.30pm Monday-Saturday at St Giles’
Midweek Eucharist: 12.30pm Wednesday at St Giles’
Next Sunday (9 February):
Fourth Sunday before Lent
8.00am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (said, 1662 BCP)
10.30am – Joint Benefice Holy Communion at St Giles’ (sung, Common Worship)
6.30pm – Choral Evensong at St Giles’ (sung, 1662 BCP)
Parish News
Message from Churchwardens and Clergy
As you may have already heard, our Vicar, Daniel, is going to be taking some time off from work (on sick leave) to take care of his mental health over the next few weeks. We ask that you join us in praying for him, Eva and the family at this time.
We have decided that, to ease pressure on the team and to focus on prayer and worship, we will return to having 10.30am services as a whole Benefice at St Giles’ until St Margaret’s re-opens in early March.
We were already due to have a joint service at St Giles’ for Candlemas this Sunday. It will be a joyful celebration as we admit several children to Holy Communion and mark the festival together with candles, music and even a procession! Jonathan, Archdeacon of Oxford, is also coming to be with us. Please do come and join us on Sunday.
For more a full letter from us with information about practicalities and communication please follow this link.
Wednesday Eucharists at St Giles’
We have restarted our weekly services of said Holy Communion at 12.30pm in the Lady Chapel in St Giles’ Church. This simple but beautiful service will last not much more than 30 minutes – perfect to slot into your lunch break!
All are welcome.
Bellringing
St Giles’ bells will be ringing for up to three hours on the morning of Saturday February 1st, when some of the guests attending the annual dinner of the Oxford University Society of Change Ringers will be attempting to ring a full peal of over 5000 changes.
St Giles’ Choir Tour
St Giles’ Choir will travel to Bergamo for their 11th international tour. 24-29 July 2025. Please contact Nicholas Prozzillo for further details.
2025 Youth Pilgrimage
This year we are excited to announce that we will be taking our Benefice Youth Pilgrimage to St David’s Cathedral in Pembrokeshire. We will be taking the train together through South Wales and staying in a beautiful Youth Hostel that has been booked just for us. The dates for this adventure are 4th-8th August. Please talk to Eva, Claire or Lucy for more details. All welcome (as long as you are in school/college Years 8 – 13!!)
New electoral roll for 2025
Thank you to everyone who has already applied to (re)join the electoral roll of either St Giles’ or St Margaret’s. For everyone else: please note the deadlines (for this year’s APCM) of 16th March (St Giles’) and 9th March (St Margaret’s).
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:
Jazz at St Giles’: Post Bop Jazz Showcase
The next Jazz at St Giles’ concert is Saturday 8th February 7:30pm: Post Bop Jazz Showcase, featuring some of the best young musicians from Oxford University.
Little Fishes
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
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 5th February at 1:30pm with a talk from economist Sir Andrew Dilnot on social care. Tickets are £2 on the door.