Welcome to our weekly benefice newsletter. If you’d like to be notified by email each week, please click or tap here to sign up.
Items for next week’s notices can be sent to vicar@StGilesStMargarets.org by mid-day on Friday. (Please note that, until our new Benefice Manager begins in August, we may take a little longer to respond!)
Worship & Prayer
Sunday 7 June
First Sunday After Trinity (Proper 5)
8.00am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (said, 1662 BCP)
10.30am – ‘Together’ All-age Eucharist at St Margaret’s (sung, Common Worship)
10.30am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (sung, Common Worship)
3.30pm – Choral Evensong at St Giles’ (sung, 1662 BCP)
6.00pm – Holy Communion at St Margaret’s (said, 1662 BCP)
Readings and Collect for 10:30am Services
Collect for the First Sunday After Trinity
O God,
the strength of all those who put their trust in you,
mercifully accept our prayers
and, because through the weakness of our mortal nature
we can do no good thing without you,
grant us the help of your grace,
that in the keeping of your commandments
we may please you both in will and deed;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Alternative Collect for the First Sunday After Trinity
God of truth,
help us to keep your law of love
and to walk in ways of wisdom,
that we may find true life
in Jesus Christ your Son.
Amen.
Bible Readings for Proper 5
- Old Testament: Hosea 6.3-6.6 (NRSV)
- Psalm: Psalm 50.7-15 (BCP Psalter, St Giles’)
- Epistle: Romans 4.13–end (NRSV)
- Gospel: Matthew 9.9–13, 18–26 (NRSV)
Next Sunday (14 June):
Second Sunday After Trinity (Proper 6)
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)
3.30pm – Choral Evensong at St Giles’ (sung, 1662 BCP)
6.00pm – Taizé Service at St Margaret’s
Coming up in June…
Monthly “What’s On” leaflet
Download June’s issue below, or pick up a copy from either church:
Parish News
Summer Fields Choral Concert at St Giles’
The Chapel Choir of Summer Fields School presents A Summer Concert at St Giles’ on Saturday 6 June at 7:00 pm.
Entry free, with a retiring collection in aid of the St Giles’ New Organ Fund (Project 900), and free refreshments afterwards.
Please click or tap on the poster above for a larger version.
St Margaret’s Choir Taster Day
This taster day – on Sunday 7 June from 2:00pm – is for adults and children / young people who would like to try out being a chorister at St Margaret’s.
Please click or tap on the poster above for a larger version.
Oxford Peace & Friendship Walk
At a time of rising intolerance worldwide towards other faiths (particularly, in our own nation, towards Jews and Muslims), Oxford’s annual interfaith Peace & Friendship walk is more important than ever.
This year it takes place on Thursday 11 June, beginning outside the Oxford Jewish Centre in Jericho at 6pm, stopping outside St Giles’ Church and the University Church, before concluding with a delicious meal at the Stanley Road Madina Mosque. It’s a wonderful occasion – if you’re unable to make all of the walk, there is transport between the various locations, or just take part in as much as you can.
Please do try to support this important event if you can – click or tap on the poster above for a larger version.
(You may also be interested in reading the statement by faith leaders, including Bishop Steven, on the Oxford Union’s recent invitation to Tommy Robinson).
Jazz at St Giles’: John Law and Jon Lloyd
The next Jazz at St Giles’ concert is Saturday 20 June at 7:30pm: John Law and Jon Lloyd, who present Jazz Spiritualities: “Naissance”. After that, JASG will return in September.
St Margaret’s Children’s Concert
On Sunday 5 July, St Margaret’s will be having a young people’s concert immediately after the morning service. It is a friendly and informal event, and there is no minimum age or standard! Twinkle, twinkle, little star is just fine. Please let Sam Schad (samantha.schad@oup.com) know if your young person/people might be interested in taking part. We have even had non-musical entertainment in the past, including magic tricks and tumbling!
Hama beads wanted
If you, or anyone you know, have any spare, please let Eva know (eva@stmargaretsoxford.org) as they are needed for children’s craft activities at St Margaret’s.
“Can you be a scientist and a Christian?”
If your occupation is broadly scientific, could you come and speak to a class of Year 6 pupils (10-11 year olds) in Phil and Jim primary school in September? Or, if the dates don’t work, or you just prefer not to, would you record a conversation with one of the Year 6 teachers about how your faith is compatible with your scientific work?
If you’d be willing in principle, please speak to Eva (eva@stmargaretsoxford.org).
Memory Café
Our next Memory Café will be on Wednesday 10 June. 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.
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.
Clergy Updates
Claire’s Maternity Leave
We are really excited that Claire is expecting a baby and will be going on maternity leave for a year towards the end of June. During her leave she will not be working or worshipping in the Benefice.
During this time, please direct emails as follows:
- General Enquiries (including weddings, baptisms etc) – Benefice Manager (from August) (manager@stgilesstmargarets.org). Until then, contact Daniel (vicar@stgilesstmargarets.org)
- Safeguarding, including administration – safeguarding@stmargaretsoxford.org or safeguarding@st-giles-church.org or Daniel (vicar@stgilesstmargarets.org)
- Pastoral Care – Daniel (vicar@stgilesstmargarets.org) or Siân (sian.gronlie@st-annes.ox.ac.uk)
We wish Claire and her husband well and we ask that you respect their privacy during this time. Please do keep Claire in your prayers in the coming months.
We will have an opportunity, in both churches, to pray for and bless Claire ahead of her leave – 10.30am Sunday 7 June at St Margaret’s and 10.30am Sunday 14 June at St Giles’.
Change of Day Off for Daniel
In slightly less exciting news, from now on Daniel’s weekly day off will be on Tuesday (rather than Monday as previously).
Except for pastoral emergencies, he will not be available on Mondays, as this will be focused on trying to keep on top of the currently increased administrative aspects of the Vicar’s role.
Community News
What’s On at Wycliffe Hall
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.