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Items for next week’s notices can be sent to manager@StGilesStMargarets.org by Wednesday.
Worship & Prayer
Sunday 8 March
Third Sunday of Lent
8.00am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (said, 1662 BCP)
10.30am – Parish Eucharist at St Margaret’s (sung, Common Worship)
10.30am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (sung, Common Worship)
5.00pm – Choral Evensong at St Margaret’s (sung, 1662 BCP) – followed by bring-and-share supper
Note there is no evening service at St Giles’ today.
Almighty God,
whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain,
and entered not into glory before he was crucified:
mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross,
may find it none other than the way of life and peace;
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Pew sheets
The pew sheets for our services on 8 March including the readings, prayers and music details, are available to download below:
Thursday (12 March):
8.00pm – ‘Come and See’ Lent course (online – email Daniel for link)
Friday (13 March):
11.00am – ‘Come and See’ Lent course (in person followed by optional soup lunch) – St Margaret’s
Next Sunday (15 March):
Fourth Sunday of Lent
8.00am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (said, 1662 BCP)
10.30am – Parish Eucharist at St Margaret’s (sung, Common Worship)
10.30am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (sung, Common Worship)
6.30pm – Choral Evensong at St Giles’ (sung, 1662 BCP)
Coming up in March…
Monthly “What’s On” leaflet
Download March’s issue below:
Online events calendar
Thanks to our ChurchSuite system, you can now see all of the events that we have coming up in the next few months online, and get more information where relevant. You can view them as a list or in a calendar view:
Parish News
Come and See: Lent 2026
The Bible readings at our 10.30am Sunday services in Lent are linked to our ‘Come and See’ courses, which each feature a video reflection from Bishop Steven.
Watch Bishop Steven’s reflections on this Sunday’s readings below:
“Come and See” this year focuses on the Eucharist as the heart of the Christian life: more information on what we’re doing in the benefice is available by clicking or tapping below:
St Giles’: Our church, our future
After a shortened 10:30 Eucharist on Sunday 8 March, please stay on at 11:30am and be part of a whole‑church conversation about St Giles’ plans for the next five years. We’re gathering ideas from everyone in the parish to guide our work on things that matter to us all, including music at St Giles’, children and young people, our identity as an inclusive church, and our role in the city.
Frustratingly, and for reasons unrelated to previous occasions, the heating is not working in St Giles’ Church. However, this discussion event will be taking place in the Parish Rooms next door, where the heating is working perfectly well!
Choral Evensong and shared supper at St Margaret’s
This Sunday (8 March), at 5pm, St Margaret’s Choir will help to lead us in a service of Choral Evensong, according to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
After the service we will have a bring-and-share supper for those who wish to join us – please contact Sam Schad (samantha.schad@oup.com) for more details.
Volunteers Needed
Friday 13 March – Volunteers needed in St Margaret’s from 1pm to help tie the Mothering Sunday posies. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Holy Communion for Joseph of Nazareth
Throughout 2026, we are offering simple, said services of Holy Communion on major saints’ days or holy days which occur during the week. Our next such service is Thursday 19 March, when we will remember Joseph of Nazareth, Jesus’ adoptive father.
12.30pm at St Giles’ Church – all are welcome.
Jazz at St Giles’: Alyn Shipton’s Quartet
The next Jazz at St Giles’ concert is Saturday 21 March at 7:30pm: Alyn Shipton’s Gerry Mulligan Quartet. This is the last chance to see one of St Giles’ famous jazz concerts this season: JASG will return in October.
Poetry Evening
Calling all poets and poetry lovers! We’ll be holding a poetry evening at St Margaret’s Church on Sunday 22 March, 7-9pm. You can share your favourite poem, or a poem you have written yourself. There will be light refreshments (tea/coffee/wine and snacks). Everyone is welcome. Please extend this invitation to anyone you think might like to attend. It would be useful to have an idea of numbers, so please let Sam Schad (samantha.schad@oup.com) know if you’d like to come.
Memory Café
Our next Memory Café will be on Wednesday 11 March. If you know someone who might enjoy or benefit from coming along, or if you’d like more details, please contact St Margaret’s Parish Community Worker, Tricia Brant, on 07776 595456 or at triciabrant@stmargaretsoxford.org.
Benefice book group
The next meeting of the benefice book group is on Wed 15 April, 7.15pm at St Anne’s; and we are discussing Pearl, by Siân Hughes.
For more information, contact Siân Grønlie (curate@stgilesstmargarets.org)
Youth Pilgrimage 2026
Booking is now open for the 2026 Youth Pilgrimage to Worcester Cathedral from 10-14th August. Spaces are limited so please contact Eva for more details.
Volunteers needed on the 17th February to help in the kitchen with refreshments and pancakes. Help also needed for setting up and tidying up, and with serving food. It would be lovely to have some of our young people helping out during the holidays too! Please contact Eva or Claire.
House groups
We are exploring potential interest in small “house groups” for those who might enjoy meeting in homes for conversation, prayer, and informal engagement with Scripture. This is something some people will know from other church traditions, but there is no expectation here that anyone “ought” to join.
At this stage we are simply gathering interest. If you might like to attend, host, or help lead a group, please email Daniel.
Soup for The Gatehouse
Would you be willing to make soup for the Gatehouse? This is an initiative
which normally runs from the end of October to the end of March and
contributors include several churches and faith groups in Oxford.
If you think you might be able to help, please click or tap the button below for more information:
Community News
Commotio Concert at St Margaret’s
Local choir Commotio are holding a concert at St Margaret’s Church on Saturday 14th March, 7:30pm. Highlights include French and Swiss masterworks from Demessieux and Frank Martin, and British gems from John Harper and Vaughan Williams. This choir features members of the congregation, so do come along and support!
Tea & Talks at St Margaret’s Institute
The current season of Tea & Talks at St Margaret’s Institute continues on Wed 15 April at 1:45-3:30pm with a talk titled Tackling the legacies of slavery and colonialism at English Heritage sites from Andrew Hann. Entry is £2, including tea and cake. All welcome.
What’s On at Wycliffe Hall this Term
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is a major priority in our Benefice as we work together to keep everyone in our community safe. It is often said safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, thank you for the part you play. If you are concerned about a person’s or activity’s safety in our community, please contact our Parish Safeguarding Officers (details below) or the Diocesan Safeguarding Team (details below). We are greatly helped by many volunteers, thank you for your time, including for completing required DBS checks, safeguarding training and safer recruitment forms.
St Margaret’s Church PSO Becca Rose: safeguarding@stmargaretsoxford.org
St Giles Church PSO Lorraine Desai: safeguarding@st-giles-church.org
Diocesan Team 01865 208 295 safeguardingreferrals@oxford.anglican.org
Out-of-hours: Thirtyone:eight on 0303 003 1111 for confidential advice, guidance and support.