Diocese Of Oxford

Yesterday we told you about the new resources for Thy Kingdom Come, the global prayer movement encouraging Christians to come to know Jesus. Have you signed up? If so let us know what you are planning to do by emailing comms@oxford.anglican.org Also – did you know that the Thy Kingdom Come website contains loads of resources for promoting your event – making a poster or a video in just five minutes. https://www.thykingdomcome.global/promote -your-event

It’s almost time for the global Thy Kingdom Come prayer movement, encouraging Christians to pray for more people to come to know Jesus. And this year Church House Publishing, the people who published the Bishop of Oxford’s #LentPilgrim and #EasterPilgrim apps have produced a new prayer booklet and online app with simple forms of Morning, Evening and Night Prayer from Ascension Day to Pentecost. Order yours here: https://www.churchofengland.org/…/churc h-r…/thy-kingdom-come

Did you know that there is a new Bible study available from the Bishop of Oxford? Each session is 20 minutes long and available to watch over on his Facebook page or to read on his blog.
https://blogs.oxford.anglican.org/put-out -into-deep-water-…/
https://www.facebook.com/bishopofoxford/< br>

Did you listen to the recording of the BBC Three Counties' interview with Margot Hodson and Martin John Hodson that we shared yesterday? If not it's on Soundcloud here: soundcloud.com/u…/climate-change-biodiv ersity-loss-and-faith
If you enjoyed it and would like to learn more you might be interested in 'Your will be done on earth: A Christian response to key environmental issues.' with Martin and Margot. It's on Wednesday 5th June 2019, 10am to 4pm at St James Church, Church Lane, Finchampstead, RG40 4LU. It's a chance to get up to speed with environmental issues and understand more about our Christian responsibility. It's open to all. The day will cost £10 for most people, but Oxford Diocese clergy and lay ministers may use their CMD grant. Details and booking here: https://tinyurl.com/y3w99tnx

Climate change, biodiversity loss and faith. Martin John Hodson and Margot Hodson were interviewed by Mike Naylor for BBC Three Counties on Sunday 19th May. They describe why it's vital we act to protect our planet, with our diet, transport choices, lifestyles and more, and how that relates to our Christian faith. If you missed it, it's well worth listening to it here: https://soundcloud.com/…/climate-change -biodiversity-loss-a…

"Our public life has been dominated by the B word for far too long. Meanwhile, the attention which should have been focussed on the environment, on healthcare, on our schools and young people, on the most disadvantaged in our society, has been sadly deflected.
And the inevitable consequences of the policy of ‘austerity’, which have impacted more and more on our national life, have not been properly debated and addressed. As we approach the European elections tomorrow, we need... to ask which voices are being heard, and which ones we need to hear.
In national life as well as in our church life, a thing does not become more true the louder it is shouted."
Olivia Graham, Archdeacon of Berkshire
(this CartoonChurch.com cartoon by Dave Walker originally appeared in the Church Times).
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We are excited that issue two of our new Pathways magazine is out now. Has your church got its copies yet? We hope you will enjoy the various features. This edition includes a piece on equipping Christians to live out their faith from Monday to Friday, unveils our exciting plans to launch new congregations in new communities and a light-hearted piece on the importance of laughter. Email communications@oxford.anglican.org if you need more copies.

The role of churchwarden is an ancient and vital role. The Bishop of Oxford recently asked churchwardens to watch over themselves, to take care of the vulnerable and to make room for others. Read +Steven's charge here: https://blogs.oxford.anglican.org/the-bis hops-charge-to-chu…

We are very excited about Frideswide Voices - the new girls' choir at Oxford's Christ Church Cathedral. Read the full story here:

Has your church been working all night and caught nothing? If your ministry hasn't been too fruitful of late, or if you're hungry to get deep into scripture, then why not try this brand-new Bible study from Bishop of Oxford.
Read it online, or head over to +Steven's Facebook page to watch him teach the first session (30 mins).
The beautiful mosaic in the picture below shows the man of Macedonia calling Paul: ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ Who is calling you, are you... willing to go out into deep waters?
There are four talks in the series and we'll post a new session each Thursday. Let us know how you get on!
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How’s Christian Aid Week going for you? In case you missed it, click here to find out why Bishop Alan's dad put him in a drawer when he was born, and what that’s got to do with raising funds for maternity facilities in Sierra Leone. https://www.oxford.anglican.org/christian -aid-week-the-bab…/

As Mental Health Awareness gathers pace, so is everyone at Church House Oxford. Yesterday we all got active with a ‘how far can you pedal’ exercise bike contest and a lunch run and walk. Today we’ll be having a session on mindfulness.

Following our posts about support and prayers for Mozambique and Sri Lanka, the Revd Shemil Mathew sent us pictures from events demonstrating the important interfaith work he is doing at Oxford Brookes University particularly building relationships between Christians and Muslims. Read the story here:

Today marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week. Here at Church House Oxford we’ll be raising awareness of mental health all week. We are starting today with a wellbeing breakfast. As helping others is a good way of improving our own mental health, we are inviting staff to make a voluntary contribution towards Christian Aid Week to help improve maternity facilities in Sierra Leone. Are you supporting Christian Aid or Mental Health Awareness Week?

Why did Bishop Alan’s dad put him in the kitchen drawer when he was born and what does that have to do with Christian Aid in Berks, Bucks and Oxon Week and Sierra Leone? Well, as Christian Aid Week starts today, why not click here to find out:

Issue two of Pathways will be out soon. What did you think of issue one? Read here how people at @stLaurenceChurchWinslow used it as the subject of a discussion evening and is also hoping to use it as a missional tool: https://www.oxford.anglican.org/83425-2/< br>

Yesterday we highlighted a remembrance service held for the victims of the Sri Lanka bombings. Today, as we think about global disasters and atrocities we have this story about how the Marcham based MANNA - Mozambique and Angola Anglican Association is rebuilding countries left devastated by cyclones.

Let’s remember the disasters and atrocities taking place all over the world. Too many to mention but our interfaith pages have reported a service of remembrance and prayer held at Christ the Cornerstone in Milton Keynes for the victims of the Easter Day bombings in Sri Lanka. More details here: