This Sunday we will mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at St Mary’s. We will welcome Fr Nick Austin SJ, the Master of Campion Hall, as our preacher at the 10.30am Choral Eucharist. We enjoy very good relations with colleagues at Campion Hall, and there is much that we share in common. The Laudato Si’ Institute, based at Campion Hall, is an academic research institute, responding to Pope Francis’ encyclical of that name. It focuses on the intellectual foundations for a reordering of society toward care for the earth and care for the poor. This activity opens up all sorts of conversations about our own work on sustainability and our commitment to justice for the poor.

In all of this we reflect on our common baptism, which we share whether we are Anglican or Roman Catholic, Baptist or Orthodox, Methodist or Reformed. All of us are called to grow into the likeness of Christ and to rejoice in our shared baptismal covenant. It is good that we do this during the season of Epiphany, when our minds are drawn particularly to the Baptism of our Lord. Please join us on Sunday as we welcome Fr Nick among us - and do join us for the Parish Lunch in the Old Library after the service. You will be very welcome.

Eternal Father,
who at the baptism of Jesus
revealed him to be your Son,
anointing him with the Holy Spirit:
grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit,
that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.