News

Over the past ten years, the traditional and hugely important ongoing ministry of college chaplains and local churches in Oxford has been complemented by a wide range of new initiatives which have developed to serve and reach postgraduate students.

On 9th March 2019 we held a Service of Thanksgiving for postgraduate Ministry in Oxford at St Andrew's Church, where over 100 people joined us to give thanks and praise to God for the work in Oxford.

Exciting developments across ministries in Oxford were shared during the service including the work of Developing a Christian Mind, the Graduate Christian Forum and local church groups. The Bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft, spoke from Romans 12 encouraging all present not to 'conform to the pattern of this world’ (vs 2) and by doing so, leading 'rebellious' lives for Christ.

Past and present Chairs of the Oxford Pastorate Council Professor Lionel Tarassenko, and Professor Ewan McKendrick, spoke about the future of postgraduate study and opportunities for Christian witness. Student testimonies and prayers were also given.

One of the highlights of the evening was the St Ebbe's postgraduate choir, who sang My Worth is not in what I own (Keith/Kristyn Getty, arr. David Angerman), a video excerpt of which you can see here. The service was followed by a drinks reception where guests were given the opportunity to browse and participate in conversation around interactive display tables.

We were greatly encouraged – by the numbers who came to participate and thank God for his goodness; by the many and varied contributions which made for a beautiful and stimulating service; and for the buzz of fellowship and discussion which followed during the reception.

We were also hugely grateful to those who gave financially, contributing £410 during the collection and the generous partnership of the Bishop’s Mission Fund which added further to this collection.

We look forward to what the Lord will do in the next ten years among postgraduate ministry in Oxford - and beyond!