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Items for next week’s notices can be sent to vicar@StGilesStMargarets.org by mid-day on Friday.
Worship & Prayer
Sunday 30 August
Thirteenth Sunday After Trinity (Proper 17)
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)
Readings and Collect for 10:30am Services
Collect for the Thirteenth Sunday After Trinity
Almighty God,
who called your Church to bear witness
that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself:
help us to proclaim the good news of your love,
that all who hear it may be drawn to you;
through him who was lifted up on the cross,
and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Bible Readings for Proper 17
- Old Testament: Jeremiah 15.15–21
- Psalm: Psalm 26.1–8
- Epistle: Romans 12.9–end
- Gospel: Matthew 16.21–end
Next Sunday (6 September):
Festival of Creation in Christ / Giles of Provence
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 – Evening Prayer at St Margaret’s (said, 1662 BCP)
Parish News
Ride and Stride 2026
Ride and Stride is a sponsored walk or cycle ride which takes place every September: this year, on Saturday 12 September. It’s organised by the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust, which has financially supported both St Margaret’s and St Giles’ in the past.
The idea is that participants visit as many participating churches as possible, to raise as much money as possible for both the OHCT and your local church(es). Daniel is intending to do a cycle ride to visit all of the churches in the Oxford Deanery (a round trip of about 30 miles) – the sponsor link is below!
There are lots of ways you can help:
- You could ride or stride yourself to raise money – you could do all or part of the route with Daniel, or plot your own route (it doesn’t have to be in Oxford city, if you live elsewhere you could do it in your own town or group of villages);
- You could sponsor anyone you know who is participating (the link to sponsor Daniel is below);
- You could act as a host at either St Giles’ or St Margaret’s on the 12th, signing up to offer an hour or two during the day to weary walkers / cyclists who might appreciate a drink or the use of the facilities (the event only works if there are volunteers to welcome the participants!).
To take part yourself, visit the Ride and Stride website below – or to volunteer as a host, please email Mary (for St Giles’) or Daniel (for St Margaret’s).
Oxford Open Doors
On 12-13 September (the same weekend as Ride & Stride) is the Oxford Open Doors weekend. This is an opportunity to visit some of the historic buildings of Oxford, which might otherwise be difficult or impossible.
Hosts for Ride and Stride (see above) can also welcome visitors to the churches on the Saturday, but if anyone could offer an hour or two on the Sunday, please again email Mary (for St Giles’) or Daniel (for St Margaret’s).
Oxford Canal Festival – volunteers needed
If you can spare an hour to help run the St Margaret’s Stall at the Aristotle Park Canal Festival from 12-6pm on Sat 19 September, (especially between 2:30-4pm) please let Eva know. It is a great way of raising our profile in our local community.
Jazz at St Giles’: Autumn series
The line up for the Autumn 2026 series of Jazz at St Giles’ concerts is now finalised, with huge thanks to David Clover for organising these as always.
You can either click on the poster above for more information, or visit the Jazz at St Giles’ website below – where you can also pre-order tickets for any of these shows.
Harvest Supper and Ceilidh
Can you help St Margaret’s Church organise a Harvest Supper and Ceilidh in one month?? All proceeds will go to the church. Please talk to Sam or Eva if you think that you might be able to help.
Gatehouse job opportunities
Our friends and partners at The Gatehouse homelessness charity are recruiting for two new caseworkers: a Money Advice Worker (14 hours per week) and an Employment Support Worker (35 hours per week).
You can download the job descriptions and person specifications below:
Memory Café
Our next Memory Café will be on Wednesday 12 August (note – in St Margaret’s Church, instead of the usual St Margaret’s Institute venue).
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.
Community News
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.
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