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If you have any items for next week’s notices, please send them to manager@StGilesStMargarets.org by Wednesday.
Worship & Prayer
Sunday 21 September
Matthew, Apostle & Evangelist
8.00am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (said, 1662 BCP)
10.30am – Listening Service at St Margaret’s
(followed by Holy Communion service: said, Common Worship)
10.30am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (sung, Common Worship)
6.30pm – Choral Evensong at St Giles’ (sung, 1662 BCP)
Almighty God,
whose blessed Son called Matthew the tax collector
to be an apostle and evangelist:
give us grace to forsake the selfish pursuit of gain
and the possessive love of riches
that we may follow in the way of your Son 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 21 September including the readings, prayers and music details, are available to download below:
Coming up this week
Morning Prayer: 8.30am Tuesday-Friday at the Vicarage, Church Walk
St Giles’ open for quiet prayer: 12pm – 2pm, Monday-Friday
Next Sunday (28 September):
Michael and All Angels (transferred)
8.00am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (said, 1662 BCP)
10.30am – Holy Communion 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)
From the Vicar
1700 years on, does the Nicene Creed have anything to say to us today?
Last week’s sermon
We now have a podcast series allowing you to listen to recorded sermons either here on the website, or on your favourite podcasting app.
Parish News
21st September, Listening Service at St Margaret’s
St Margaret’s Sunday morning service will look rather different this Sunday (21 September).
We will begin and conclude in the “usual St Margaret’s way”, but the bulk of the service will be facilitated by Rhodri Bowen, Parish Development Adviser for the Diocese of Oxford. We will be seated in tables around the church – equipped with coffee and pastries! – and beginning with a prayerful lectio divina exercise for the Gospel passage chosen for the day. Then, we’ll spend some time in discussions in those table groups, guided by Rhodri, seeking to listen to God and one another.
The teenagers will have their own table, and there will be separate activities for the children so that they can engage too in a way that works for them (and give mum and/or dad a break!).
No-one will be asked to speak up in front of the whole congregation if you’re uncomfortable with that – there will be other ways to participate and make your voice heard.
Finally, although the Listening Service will not include the Eucharist itself, there will be an optional short (approximately 30 minutes) service of Holy Communion in the chancel at 12:30, for those who would appreciate it.
St Giles’ Gardening Group
The group will be in action as usual from 10.30am – 12pm this Saturday. New volunteers are most welcome – tea/ coffee and cake for gardeners’ break! Please bring gloves.
Organ Signing Ceremony
At 17:30 on Monday 29 September, St Giles’ will host a ceremonial signing of a contract for a new organ. If you would like to attend this event, please email andrew.sillett@st-giles-church.org by Monday 22nd September.
Jazz at St Giles’: Jacqui Dankworth and Trio
The next Jazz at St Giles’ concert is Saturday 11 October at 7:30pm: Jacqui Dankworth and Trio. Come and see the JASG favourite return to St Giles’.
Other Jazz events in the Autumn / Winter season include the Claire Jones Ensemble (25 October), the Ewan Bleach Sextet (8 November), and the The Velvet Tones (6 December).
Memory Café
The next Memory Café will take place on Wednesday 8 October. If you know of anyone who might benefit, or you would like more information, please contact St Margaret’s Parish Community Worker, Tricia Brant, on 07776 595456 or email her on triciabrant@stmargaretsoxford.org
Future dates are listed below:
Scientists needed!
Are you a scientist at St Giles’ or St Margaret’s? Would you be willing to discuss science and faith to a Year 6 class (10-11 year olds) at Ss Philip and James Primary School?
This term they are discussing the question “creation and science: conflicting or complementary?”, and would love to be able to discuss some questions of actual scientists who have a faith. (No expert biblical theological knowledge required – although if you have heard of the story of the six days of creation, it might help!).
Previous volunteers have really enjoyed the experience. If you might be able to give up an hour or so of your time, please let Eva know at eva@stmargaretsoxford.org
Call for bottles and jars
As well as the previous call for spare wool and thread and wooden curtain hoops, please could you let Eva know if you have any small plastic or glass bottles (e.g. Orangina or Innocent Smoothie bottles or smaller), or any spare jam jars.
Join St Margaret’s choir!
If you, or someone you know, might be interested in joining St Margaret’s choir we would love to hear from you! Please get in touch with George: choir@stmargarets.org
Coming up in the parishes…
Monthly “What’s On” leaflet
Download September’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:
Browser Extension to Raise Money for St Margaret’s
Raise a free donation for St Margaret’s Church, Oxford when you shop online via #easyfundraising. Add the extension to your browser and whenever you shop online with one of 7,500+ easyfundraising’s partners they will make a donation to us! This includes Tesco, Sainsbury’s, John Lewis, Argos, Trainline and more! If you’re not supporting us on easyfundraising yet, now’s the perfect time to get involved.
Diocesan News
New issue of Pathways has arrived
Copies of the Summer 2025 issue of Pathways, the Diocesan magazine, will be available from church this Sunday – or you can download it from the Diocesan website below:
Community News
Tea & Talks at St Margaret’s Institute
A new season of Tea & Talks at St Margaret’s Institute begins on Wed 1 October at 1:45-3:30pm with a talk titled From Chocolate to Drug Discovery: The Magic of Crystals from Elspeth Garman. Entry is £2, including tea and cake. All welcome.
Gerard Manley Hopkins Study Day
Oxford Centre for Spiritual Growth presents Gerard Manley Hopkins: A Companion on the Way. An introduction, in three stopping places, to the poet’s life and poetry. 10:30am-3.00pm, 20 September at Church of St Michael at the North Gate. A reflective exploration led by Dr Jill Robson, Journal Editor of the Hopkins Society (UK). Attendance in person £25 Online/recording access £10.
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.