As the summer approaches and with the various changes to the lockdown proposed by the government in recent weeks, I am writing to offer an update about life at the University Church. The good news is that the church will reopen for private prayer on Monday 22 June. It will be open each day from 10.00am - 12noon. Gradually, as we work with our staff (most of whom are currently furloughed), we will be able to extend our opening hours and hopefully reopen the shop and cafe at some point in July. We have been preparing some very thorough risk assessments as we imagine what life will be like when the church reopens. The resumption of public worship will only take place when the government permits it, and even then it is likely that we will need to limit numbers attending services.

Felix, our Treasurer, and Jeanne, our Finance Officer, are ensuring that our finances remain as sound as possible. If you are able to make a donation to support our work, we would be very grateful. One benefit of this lengthy period of closure is that we have been able to carry out some minor works to the fabric. This includes vital maintenance work for our boilers as well as the repainting of the external railings. We have also made arrangements for a one-way system through the church and to ensure that screens offer protection to our staff as well as members of the public.

Our online presence continues to flourish, thanks in no small part to Ana-Maria Niculcea, our Communications Officer. Our weekly podcasts are available here and our Sunday Gathering takes place each Sunday on Zoom at 11.30am. There are lots of midweek services as well as opportunities for learning. On 1st July at 6pm, there will be talk and discussion on Zoom about the impact of COVID in the developing world. Further details are provided below. If you would like to join us for any of these events on Zoom, please write to admin@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk and you will be added to the distribution list. Over the summer, Grapevine (a support network for those who are isolated at home) will also develop as an online presence. It will provide a more informal opportunity for prayer and fellowship, and there will be more information about Grapevine in the coming weeks.

Over the summer, we plan to develop a range of resources online and hopefully by then in more physical surroundings. We are planning a Summer Festival at the end of July and beginning of August, which will consist of Zoom lectures, podcasts, as well as physically-distanced walks and picnics. If you have any suggestions about activities for the Festival, please get in touch with me. I would love to hear from you. We also hope to welcome two ordinands from Ripon College Cuddesdon later in the summer. We look forward to welcoming Tori and Hannah among us. 

I am so grateful for the positive way in which members of our community have supported one another in the last few months. We have faced many challenges together. Some of us have lost loved ones, and life for many has often felt precarious at times. Nevertheless, we can be strengthened by the assurance that ’the one who calls us is faithful’, and I pray that soon we will be together again.

The Revd Dr William Lamb