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 9 February, including the readings, prayers and music details, are available to download below:
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)
O God,
you know us to be set
in the midst of so many and great dangers,
that by reason of the frailty of our nature
we cannot always stand upright:
grant to us such strength and protection
as may support us in all dangers
and carry us through all temptations;
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.
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 (16 February):
Third 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
A message from the Archdeacon
It was lovely to join both congregations for your vibrant worship in St Giles last Sunday and it is clear to me that you have a truly wonderful team of clergy and church officers. As I reflect on the life of the benefice I am also struck by the extraordinary service offered by so many, volunteering their time for your fine choral tradition, ministry amongst children, hospitality, development work, PCC membership and so forth.
Noting the very helpful message from the Clergy and Churchwardens last week I am writing to reassure you of the prayers and support of Bishop Steven and myself during Daniel’s absence. We know how much he is loved and valued and we look forward to seeing him take the reins again soon. We are continuing to support him and Eva in offering space and specialist support as required. The churchwardens and clergy know that they can contact me or the Area Dean at any point.
I am glad that you have further opportunities to worship together and enjoy fellowship as one body across the Benefice while awaiting the re-opening of St Margaret’s on Ash Wednesday. There is something special about drawing strength from one another in resourcing your church life and witness across the parishes.
With prayers and best wishes,
Jonathan
Services at St Giles’
Joint benefice services to continue to take place at St Giles’ until St Margaret’s reopens in March.
TONIGHT: Jazz at St Giles’: Post Bop Jazz Classics
The next Jazz at St Giles’ concert is Saturday 8th February 7:30pm: Post Bop Jazz Classics, featuring some of the best young musicians from Oxford University.
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.
St Giles’ building works (P900)
At the PCC meeting on 29th January the Council accepted an offer from an organ specialist, David Cooper, to buy and remove all the re-useable parts of the existing organ, prior to the disposal of the remainder of the organ by other contractors.
Mr. Cooper will be beginning his work on Monday 24th February and has asked if a few volunteers could be found who would be able to help him during the week 24th to 28th February. The area behind the organ will also need to be cleared of various items prior to the work starting and, as these include at least two large pieces of furniture, we would be grateful if several volunteers would be able to help with this after the morning service on 23rd February.
If you are able to help on these occasions please speak to Mary Whitlock.
Also at its meeting on 29th January, the Council accepted a tender from Classic Builders to carry out alterations to the kitchen, including the provision of a cleaners’/flower preparation cupboard, as well as a new WC, a refurbishment of the existing WC, and an enlarged lobby area. It is hoped that this work will start in early March but a date has not yet been fixed with the contractor.
Bellringing
A full peal on St Giles’ bells was successfully completed last week (Sat 1st February), celebrating the day of the annual dinner of the Oxford University Society of Change Ringers: 5056 changes of Cambridge Surprise Major, rung in 2 hours and 55 minutes.
Two of the band which rang the peal were St Giles’ ringers – a few months more than 70 years apart in age : John Pusey, our Tower Captain, and Mark Jones, aged 14. for whom it was his first full peal.
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’: Donut Kings and GTC Big Bands
The next Jazz at St Giles’ concert is Saturday 1st March 7:30pm: Donut Kings and GTC Big Bands, featuring two of Oxford University’s most accomplished jazz bands.
Little Fishes
Toddler Group Paused
Little Fishes will be pause for a few weeks until St Margaret’s re-opens. Look out for details of re-opening in March.
Browser Extension to Raise Money
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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 March at 1:30pm with a talk from social historian Dr Yasmin Khan on Stories from the history of migration to Britain from the Indian sub-continent. Tickets are £2 on the door.
St Theosevia’s Study Days
All are welcome to study days at St Theosevia’s Centre for Christian Spirituality, 2 Canterbury Road OX2 6LU. Days are free for students, £5 cash for non-students. Free tea and coffee from 10am. Upcoming study days are as follows:
Saturday 8 March 10:30-4: Revd Dr Jane Baun and Dr Elena Narinskaya lead a day on the life and work of Mother Maria of Paris.
Friday 25 April: a day on Etheopian Orthodoc Marian devotion.