New in Oxford?
New in Oxford?
The transition to a new university, city, country or continent can be both exciting and challenging. Through a warm welcome and opportunities for connection throughout the year the Oxford Pastorate hopes to enable each postgraduate to find their place within the academic community at Oxford.
At the start of each academic year the Oxford Pastorate, in collaboration with churches and Christian organisations, runs a programme of welcome events for postgraduates of all religious, philosophical or cultural backgrounds. Throughout the year our team of chaplains are also available for conversation and questions covering all sorts of topics, from the mundane to the metaphysical!
For those looking to settle into the Christian community in Oxford, there are a wide range of activities, groups and events aimed at postgraduates. Many of these are highlighted below.
The transition to a new university, city, country or continent can be both exciting and challenging. Through a warm welcome and opportunities for connection throughout the year the Oxford Pastorate hopes to enable each postgraduate to find their place within the academic community at Oxford.
At the start of each academic year the Oxford Pastorate, in collaboration with churches and Christian organisations, runs a programme of welcome events for postgraduates of all religious, philosophical or cultural backgrounds. Throughout the year our team of chaplains are also available for conversation and questions covering all sorts of topics, from the mundane to the metaphysical!
For those looking to settle into the Christian community in Oxford, there are a wide range of activities, groups and events aimed at postgraduates. Many of these are highlighted below.
Christmas in Oxford
Many Churches in Oxford have events and services open to all ages over the Christmas period. They are hosted online, in-person, or both, and some will require advanced booking due to Covid restrictions.
We've put together what aims to be a non-exhaustive list of events taking place in December to give you somewhere to start exploring what's on offer.
St Aldates Church
Carol Services by candle light - 13 & 20 December
Christingle Services - 13 December
St Andrews Church
Carol Services
Homemade Christmas crafts - Weds 2 December
Christingle Services - Sun 20 December
St Clements Church
Carol Services (watch this space!)
Wreath-Making for all - Sat 5 December
St Ebbes Church
Lunchtime Carol services - every weekday lunch time from 8-18 December
Carol Services throughout December
Gingerbread House Making - for Women - Sat 5 December
Trinity Church Oxford
Christmas Service - Sun 13 December
Oxford Community Church
Christmas Guest Service - Sun 13 December
Magdalen Road Church
Outdoors Carol Service - Sun 20th December
More to follow...
Many Churches in Oxford have events and services open to all ages over the Christmas period. They are hosted online, in-person, or both, and some will require advanced booking due to Covid restrictions.
We've put together what aims to be a non-exhaustive list of events taking place in December to give you somewhere to start exploring what's on offer.
St Aldates Church
Carol Services by candle light - 13 & 20 December
Christingle Services - 13 December
St Andrews Church
Carol Services
Homemade Christmas crafts - Weds 2 December
Christingle Services - Sun 20 December
St Clements Church
Carol Services (watch this space!)
Wreath-Making for all - Sat 5 December
St Ebbes Church
Lunchtime Carol services - every weekday lunch time from 8-18 December
Carol Services throughout December
Gingerbread House Making - for Women - Sat 5 December
Trinity Church Oxford
Christmas Service - Sun 13 December
Oxford Community Church
Christmas Guest Service - Sun 13 December
Magdalen Road Church
Outdoors Carol Service - Sun 20th December
More to follow...
Opportunities for Postgrads
Developing a Christian Mind (DCM) Senior Christian academics lead conferences in January and March 2021 especially for postgraduate students studying at Oxford, helping foster integration between faith and scholarship.
The Graduate Christian Forum (GCF)
Holds a Monday night speaker series during term, interviewing Christian scholars and professionals.
Linacre Christians meet once a month, currently via Zoom. New graduates very welcome to join their next meeting at 12.45 pm on Thursday November 12th, when a Bible Study will be led by Dr Bill Hurditch, Visiting Senior Member. Contact anne.keene@linacre.ox.ac.uk for the Zoom details.
Postgrads on Purpose
Starting next week! (Week 1 Michaelmas) Friendly and open discussions for postgraduates of any of no religious faith who are interested in considering the Christian approach to the human search for purpose and meaning.
Scriptorium
Weekly study days (Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays during term time, Weeks 1-8) enabling postgrads to carve out and protect a regular space in the working week for concentrated bursts of writing with the support and encouragement of the rest of our scholarly community.
Transformation Network (Prayer)
A departmental prayer network with a vision to see prayer in every university faculty and college.
T2: Thesis Together, or T2, is a postgrad study space open in the Pennyfarthing building on Fridays from 9.30am-5.30pm. Join other postgrads and get to know each other during coffee and lunch breaks! Space is limited. Book a space via the calendar here.
Developing a Christian Mind (DCM) Senior Christian academics lead conferences in January and March 2021 especially for postgraduate students studying at Oxford, helping foster integration between faith and scholarship.
The Graduate Christian Forum (GCF)
Holds a Monday night speaker series during term, interviewing Christian scholars and professionals.
Linacre Christians meet once a month, currently via Zoom. New graduates very welcome to join their next meeting at 12.45 pm on Thursday November 12th, when a Bible Study will be led by Dr Bill Hurditch, Visiting Senior Member. Contact anne.keene@linacre.ox.ac.uk for the Zoom details.
Postgrads on Purpose
Starting next week! (Week 1 Michaelmas) Friendly and open discussions for postgraduates of any of no religious faith who are interested in considering the Christian approach to the human search for purpose and meaning.
Scriptorium
Weekly study days (Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays during term time, Weeks 1-8) enabling postgrads to carve out and protect a regular space in the working week for concentrated bursts of writing with the support and encouragement of the rest of our scholarly community.
Transformation Network (Prayer)
A departmental prayer network with a vision to see prayer in every university faculty and college.
T2: Thesis Together, or T2, is a postgrad study space open in the Pennyfarthing building on Fridays from 9.30am-5.30pm. Join other postgrads and get to know each other during coffee and lunch breaks! Space is limited. Book a space via the calendar here.
Churches in Oxford
There are many excellent churches in Oxford. The four anglican churches below sit on our council.
There are many excellent churches in Oxford. The four anglican churches below sit on our council.
St Aldate's have three services on a Sunday.
On Wednesday evenings the Postgrad community meet at 7pm in the Christopher Room in the Parish Centre. We share a meal together, followed by worship, prayer and teaching. After this, we break up into small groups of about 6–10 people for discussion. The small groups are an opportunity for friendship, support and discipleship throughout our time at Oxford.
For more information contact christopher.landau@staldates.org.uk
St Andrews, North Oxford has 4 services on a Sunday including Holy Communion, a Family Service, Morning Worship and Evening Worship.
St Andrew’s has a growing group of postgraduate/postdoc students who worship and serve as part of our church family. We gather together for lunches twice a term, and postgraduate and postdoc students are encouraged to join in with other ministries within St Andrew’s. As a large and diverse congregation there are lots of ways you can get involved! We also offer mentoring to postgraduate/postdoc students if that’s of value. For more information or if you have questions, email our curate, James Dwyer (james.dwyer@standrewsoxford.org).
Meets here for morning and evening worship every Sunday.
There are also small groups and alpha courses running throughout the year.
St Ebbe's has 4 Sunday services, but most postgrads come either for the 6.30 p.m, or (particularly those with families) at 9.45 a.m.
Thesis is the St Ebbe's postgraduate student group. It is a diverse community from over 20 nationalities (including spouses of postgrads). They meet every Tuesday night at 7:00pm during term time in St Ebbe's church for a delicious meal (£3), and Bible study or a talk and discussion. Thesis also runs fun afternoons out, a weekend away in the Cotswolds in November, and seasonal events at Easter and Christmas. Both Christians and those interested in Christianity are equally welcome. For more information please contact the postgraduate student minister, Glenn Nesbitt
More churches in Oxford...
The following churches partner with us in hosting annual Postgraduate Student Welcome events:
Emmanuel Church,
Magdalen Road Church,
Oxford Evangelical Presbyterian Church,
Oxford Community Church,
St Michael at the North Gate,
Trinity Church, Oxford
loveoxfordstudents.co.uk is another good resource for churches in Oxford.
The following churches partner with us in hosting annual Postgraduate Student Welcome events:
Emmanuel Church,
Magdalen Road Church,
Oxford Evangelical Presbyterian Church,
Oxford Community Church,
St Michael at the North Gate,
Trinity Church, Oxford
loveoxfordstudents.co.uk is another good resource for churches in Oxford.
International Students
If you are an international student who has just arrived in Oxford, the Oxford Inter-Collegiate Christian Union (OICCU) have produced a helpful website that you can visit and sign up for a free welcome pack.
If you are an international student who has just arrived in Oxford, the Oxford Inter-Collegiate Christian Union (OICCU) have produced a helpful website that you can visit and sign up for a free welcome pack.