Trinity Term has ended and so we now look forward to the Long Vacation. We often imagine that this is a relatively quiet period in the life of the University Church, but nothing could be further from the truth. We may not have the intensity of full term to distract us, but the summer season has a busyness of its own as we welcome the many visitors who come to Oxford over the summer to visit the tower or attend services. Our colleagues at Experience Oxfordshire tell us that this summer is set to be one of the busiest in Oxford for visitor numbers. Next week we will welcome participants in the Interfaith Friendship Walk on Thursday evening as they wend their way from the Synagogue in North Oxford to the Mosque in East Oxford. We also have a new exhibition about the vitality of faith in Oxford. The ministry of hospitality remains one of the hallmarks of our life together.

Today marks the publication of What’s On for the Long Vacation 2024. You will see all sorts of things are planned this summer. The Summer Evensong Series has been extended so that it will run throughout the summer. Last year we had record levels of people attending Choral Evensong and we hope that people will join us again for a service which will last approximately 35-40 minutes at 3.30pm in the afternoon. What’s On also speaks of a series of events which will mark the 200th anniversary of the beginning of St John Henry Newman’s public ministry. And there are many wonderful activities planned for children and young families - from Lego Church to a Storytelling Workshop. And if that doesn’t whet your appetite, remember…. the oxen are coming!