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The bicentenary of John Henry Newman’s first sermon was celebrated on 23 June in the tiny Oxfordshire village of Over Worton where he had preached exactly 200 years before, and in the very same church.
Nineteen deacons were ordained priests at four services across the diocese this weekend. Services were held at Dorchester Abbey, St Mary’s Amersham, St Giles Church Oxford and Reading Minster.
A fire juggler helped to launch the 150th anniversary celebrations at St Laurence’s church in Caversfield, Bicester. The performer was part of the Pentecost all-age service which is part of the programme of outdoor services during the summer months.
Two intrepid (and fit!) members of the diocese joined the bi-annual fundraising cycle from Westminster to Islip on Sunday. Bishop Gavin and our Finance Director John Orridge hit the saddle to tackle the Islip Big Bike and raise funds for St Nicholas church, Islip, and local school, Dr South’s CofE Primary.
It has become customary to ring a bell to signal the end of cancer treatment. Seven-year-old Sarah rang the biggest bell she could find – at her local church – to mark the end of two and a half years of treatment.
Some congregations faced with the challenge of raising £120,000 to save their church might have given up before they even started. Not St Helen’s in Dry Sandford!
Bishop Gavin raised more than £1,700 for two good causes with his abseil at Dorchester Abbey on Saturday.
The Bishop of Dorchester will be among a team of brave fundraisers, which also includes the Rector the Revd Jane Willis, abseiling down Dorchester Abbey on 4 May.
St Leonard’s in Watlington has become the first church in Oxfordshire to welcome ‘champers’ for a night’s stay. Church camping – champing – has become popular for guests looking for an unusual place to stay, in a beautiful setting.
The Chrism Mass held on Maundy Thursday celebrates the ministry of the whole people of God, espcially those who worship and minister in this diocese of Oxford and invites congregants to reaffirm their commitment to service.