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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 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)
Festival of Creation in Christ
This year, the Church of England has instituted a new annual Festival of Creation in Christ (well, new to us – the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and others have had similar festivals for many years). It is to be marked on the first Sunday in September – which also coincides with St Giles’ Church’s patronal festival.
Here is a brief (3 minute) introduction from the Church of England:
You can also find more about the celebration, and how it is shared across denominations, at a specially created website.
Readings and Collect for 10:30am Services
Collect for St Giles of Provence
Merciful God,
you have compassion on all that you have made
and your whole creation is enfolded in your love:
help us to stand firm for your truth,
to struggle against poverty,
and to share your love with our neighbour,
that with your servant St Giles
we may be instruments of your peace;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
Collect for Festival of Creation in Christ
O God and Father of all that was, is and ever shall be,
help us to be thankful for all that is made
at the hands of your Son
and through the wisdom of your Spirit,
that we may care in heart and in deed for the life of our world,
to the praise and glory of your holy name.
Bible Readings for Festival of Creation in Christ
- Old Testament: Isaiah 55.12–end
- Psalm: Psalm 96
- Epistle: Colossians 1.15–20
- Gospel: Matthew 8.23–27
Prayer Diary
Download our weekly benefice prayer diary, featuring daily Bible readings, prayer intentions and daily/weekly collects.
Next Sunday (13 September):
Holy Cross Day (transferred)
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)
September’s “What’s On” leaflet
Download the latest issue of our monthly guide:
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).
Jazz at St Giles’: Autumn series
The first concert of the new Jazz at St Giles’ season is coming up on Saturday 12 September (a busy day!).
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.
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.
Harvest Supper and Ceilidh
Can you help St Margaret’s Church with a Harvest Supper and Ceilidh on Saturday 3 October (our Harvest weekend)? All proceeds will go to the church. Please talk to Sam or Eva if you think that you might be able to help.
Children, Families and Youth Update
The monthly Children, Families and Youth Update from St Margaret’s Church for September is available online – read this month’s issue or subscribe to receive in your email inbox each month:
Gatehouse job opportunities – CLOSING SOON!
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).
Applications for both jobs close on Wednesday (9 September)
You can download the job descriptions and person specifications below:
Memory Café
Our next Memory Café will be on Wednesday 9 September (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.