Topic: Uncategorized

Letter from Bishop Steven

A letter to the Diocese of Oxford

Dear Friends

At Pentecost, God poured out the Holy Spirit on the early Church. The Spirit changes everything and helps us to become more like Jesus Christ.  The Spirit equips and empowers us for God’s mission in every age.  The Spirit helps us to be salt and light in God’s world.

Our world faces many challenges.  The recent terror attacks in Manchester and London remind us of the challenge of building a strong, united society. This week, Britain goes to the polls in a general election.  A few days after that, the detailed negotiations about Brexit are set to begin.

The world and our nation need us to be the best Church we can be in such a time as this.

I have now visited 22 of our 29 deaneries as I listen to what is happening across the diocese.  So far I’ve met with over 2000 people who have shared their hopes and vision and questions with me. I look forward to visiting the remaining 7 deaneries by the end of July.

I’ve seen a huge amount that is good.  The diocese has a shared understanding of God’s mission, one of the strongest legacies of Living Faith. There are many outstanding examples of compassionate service, deep engagement in prayer and some remarkable pioneering ventures.  Together we are a network of more than a thousand churches, chaplaincies and schools in every part of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Bucks and Milton Keynes.

I’ve talked in my deanery visits about the kind of Church we are called to be. The simple call to become a more Christ-like Church has resonated very deeply whenever I have shared it.  The Beatitudes in Matthew’s gospel speak to us very clearly about what it means to be a Christ like Church: we are called to be contemplative, compassionate and courageous in all we attempt together.

I’ve found an appetite for a fresh vision and strategy across the Diocese of Oxford and a desire to work together to create that vision in the coming months. Our communities are changing all the time.  There are new things happening in our wider society.  The population is growing.  Our work in schools is developing. We must reflect on all these changes and decide where our new priorities lie and what kind of future we want to build together.

In May, 120 people from across the diocese came together for a major conference: Towards a Common Vision. I invited Lay Chairs, Area Deans, Bishop’s Council, some leaders of larger churches, BAME Anglicans and those who work with children and young people.

The conference was a time to test out some developing ideas about what kind of church we are called to be and about what we are called to do together: our areas of focus for the next seven years.

I gave three reflections based on the story of the raising of Lazarus on what it means to be a contemplative, compassionate and courageous church.  These themes were welcomed by people of many different traditions.  You can find these reflections on the diocesan website together with other materials from the conference.

There was a significant amount of energy, joy and hope in the three day conference.  Thank you for your prayers for our time together.  We did some initial work together on six possible strategic priority areas.  These now need more work, reflection and wider consultation in the autumn.  We will be doing more work on our emerging vision and strategy at our Diocesan Synod on 17 June and Bishop’s Council on 12 July.  I will write again with some more details about how we will widen this conversation in a few weeks’ time.

Please continue to pray with me that we continue to become more contemplative, compassionate and courageous and that we put Christ at the heart of everything we do as we move forward together.

With love and prayers

+Steven

London Marathon 2017

It was a perfect day weather wise (thank you God!) and very exciting to be part of. Everything you have heard about the crowds was true – the atmosphere was amazing! After 20 miles I began to see why people get addicted to Marathon running – I was having a great time! I saw the family at 23 miles, still grinning all over my face, but 24-25 were definitely ‘the wall’, legs wobbling, teeth chattering, but I never had to succumb to walking. The last mile was great again, and I even managed a sprint finish, but just missed out on my 4hour target, coming through st 4h07. A wonderful day, and delighted to have ticked it off the bucket list! Thank you for all your kind encouragement and support. Love, Kate

Lent 2017

Palm Cross

Lent is almost upon us, and this year we will be focusing on the Eucharist, how this meal connects us to our ancestors in the faith and Jesus and his disciples in the upper room, how this meal helps us to remember and contemplate Jesus as the bread of life. We will be using Pilgrim again, The Eucharist, and books will be available from the benefice centre. There will be groups on Thursday mornings, Wednesday evenings and Wednesday afternoons, so why not take the opportunity to explore this central part of our faith and come along. There will be Thursday morning and Wednesday evening groups meeting in the Benefice Centre so all are welcome to drop in.

Grace and peace,

Kate

 

Lent Groups for 2017 are running as follows:
Wednesday evenings on 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th March and 5th April
7.30pm: venue rotates so please contact Kate or Anne

Wednesday afternoons on 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th March and 5th April
3pm at Old Prebendal House, Shipton under Wychwood

Thursday mornings on 2nd, 16th March and 6th April
9.30am in the Benefice Centre, Milton under Wychwood

Lent Lunch on Sunday 9th April
12 noon in Milton Village Hall

Passover Supper on Wednesday 12th April
7pm at Milton Village Hall

 

Monthly Holy Communion around the Benefice: Day Centre

“It is a privilege to be given the Bishop’s permission to lead monthly short services of “home communion” to some members, usually 7 or 8, of the Wychwood Day Centre.  Commencing with prayers for sick members, and loved ones who need our thoughts, an abridged form of the Common Worship service is used, with a reading and some general prayers preceding distribution of pre-consecrated elements.  Those attending really appreciate this quiet half-hour together as most of them are unable to attend one of the Wychwood churches.”

“I know how much it means to most of them and an especial few who are unable to get out to church or may feel uncomfortable in doing so. It is bringing the church to ALL parts of our community and reaching those who may never go in to a church. I also know of some who have turned away from “religion” – because of their situation and have a perceived view that God has forgotten them or allowed “bad things” to happen. So, for them to be able to sit and not listen if they so wish, yet allowing your presence and words to surround them – can only be a positive thing and who knows what God’s word can accomplish without any help from ourselves!!”

Monthly visits to Tall Trees Care Home

“We really enjoy our monthly visits to Tall Trees Care Home to take a short service of Songs of Praise on a Monday afternoon. We use a brief set service and the readings and collect for the week so that the theme is topical and there is a good connection with what is going on in the wider church and our own benefice.

The residents are already gathered in the lounge anticipating our visit and obviously enjoy the opportunity to get together, welcome us as visitors and sing some well-known hymns. There are usually about 15 of us including at least one carer and the activities organiser.

We get a real blessing from leading the worship and chatting with the residents and each other (an opportunity we don’t often get in busy lives) before and after the service. One of the loveliest parts is when we all say the Lord’s Prayer together – something so well-known that we can all share whatever our state of health and memory.”

Residents and visitors at Tall Trees also enjoy Holy Communion on the third Monday of each month, brought to them by trained lay-people, so that they know that they are included in the Church Family.

 

Christmas in the Wychwoods – Come and join us

Thursday 15 December
7pm Carols by Candlelight Fifield

18 December Advent 4
4pm Carols by Candlelight Idbury
5pm Carols by Candlelight Milton
6pm Carols by Candlelight Shipton

Christmas Eve
4pm Crib and Christingle* Shipton
4pm Crib and Christingle* Milton
11pm Midnight Communion Shipton

Christmas Day
9.30am Christmas Communion Milton
11am Christmas Communion Shipton
11am Christmas Communion Fifield

New Year’s Day
10am United Benefice Communion Shipton

* come dressed as your favourite nativity character

Shoebox Sunday: The Wychwoods have shown the LOVE

 

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU!

Yes we did it!    We had 120 shoe boxes dedicated in Milton Parish Church this year!

This is our third year and year on year we are increasing the gift of our love to those who have little.   This year our boxes are going to Eastern Europe including Romania.

This year too we had the opportunity not only to give to the girls and boys; we were able to do a shoe box for a home and family, giving useful things to use in household.

This year was truly a community effort, with shoeboxes coming from Wychwood CE Primary School, members of the W.I. and the Day Centre too.

The shoe boxes started their journey on Tuesday 22 November.   We met Paul from Teams4U at the church with his big white van.   Despite the fact it was pouring with rain as we moved the boxes from the church to the van, there was certainly joy in our hearts knowing that somewhere out there a child or family was going to know the love of Christmas and that someone had taken such thought and care to choose the contents of their box.   Next year we will have a film showing your fantastic gifts being received…..I am so looking forward to seeing the happiness!

A great big THANK YOU to all who donated the wonderful gift of a shoe box, and to those who couldn’t do a shoe box but gave the gift of a cash donation.   We are truly grateful.

Wishing you all a Joyful Christmas and a  Peaceful and Prosperous New Year