The Feast of St Michael and All Angels, the 29th September, provides the prelude to the beginning of Michaelmas Term. The scriptures abound with stories of angels and archangels. We learn that angels provide protection and reassurance when in danger; they announce good news; and they intercede for us. Whenever we celebrate the Eucharist, we do so 'with angels and archangels and the whole company of heaven'. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews bids us: 'Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it' (Hebrews 13.2).

If you go to the Natural History Museum in the heart of this University city, you will see above the door an angel with a copy of the Bible in one hand and the figure of an atom in the other. It is a striking image. The name 'Michael' means 'Who is like God?' Angels provoke us with a question about the nature of God. And this little image above the door of the Natural History Museum reminds us that God reveals his character to us through the words of scripture and the study of ancient texts, and through the beauty of creation and the study of the sciences. Both the Humanities and the Sciences reflect different aspects of the divine mystery, and both provide the starting point for all of us to reflect on the question, What is God like?

That is the question that we wrestle with as a University Church, because we are passionate about searching for the truth. As we prepare for the arrival of new students and academics, as well as the many other people arriving in our city, we look forward to welcoming you to participate in our worship and we would love you to become part of our community. We look forward to meeting you.