Author: Margaret Day

Do join us at St John’s for the second in our 2023 series of Tea Talks – 3pm on 12th February.

Our traditional and very popular Tea Talks are back for another season – the second Sunday in January, February and March, starting at 3pm. The one important difference is that this year we will be holding the talks in St John’s rather than St Mary’s because it is so much easier to heat that building.

In January our speaker will be Sir Peter Ratcliffe, postponed from previous years, so we are delighted we can hear more about the work for which he was awarded a Nobel prize in 2019.

This year, as we move into our new Autumn season, we will be celebrating a Joint Parish Harvest Festival with Communion, for all ages and stages, in St John’s on Sunday 2nd October at 10am. Please join together as we reflect on Jesus the True Vine and ourselves as the branches. Kidlington Abundance Group will be with us pressing local apples afterwards, and our gifts are much needed by the food bank.

What gifts are you thankful for this year?

For more on what is available in the parish during this time of mourning just go to our special page

Welcome to Theadora Eden-Sinha, born 26th August 2022

It was great to have good news of the safe arrival of Baby Theadora last week (and good to know that she now has a name!). She is bit on the small side but definitely able and willing to make a lot of noise.

The only sad part about it is that it means we have to say “goodbye” to our Administrator Tim as he adjusts to the new demands on his time. We wish Tim, Ellie and Theadora a wonderful time together.

We have changed our parish Zoom account, with effect from 26th August 2022. This means that login details previously used for regular Zoom meetings will all be changing. Members of specific groups will be notified of their new details as necessary, but everyone should note that login for our Zoom Coffee sessions (Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday) has changed. Please contact webmaster or a member of the ministry team for these details.

Are you a gifted Manager and Administrator? Do you want to work flexibly in a Christian environment?

We will be saying “thanks and goodbye” to Tim, our current Administrator, in September. Tim and his partner Ellie are expecting their first baby next month and they now need to redress the work / life balance as they prepare for this wonderful change in their lives. We wish them both the very best and every blessing.

So we are now advertising for a new Administrator and you can find out more here.

For his sermon at St Mary’s Kidlington on 7th August Ven David Meara reflected on Faith, especially in relation to the Lambeth Conference, just finishing. For those who were not able to hear it, or who would like to ponder this more, you can download the sermon here. Thank you David.

Many of you will have enjoyed meeting Christian Saguyan, the placement student with us from Cuddesdon for July. He joined in so many services and activities, and conducted a survey on how people make use of the worship we have been offering online – valuable input to discussions on future plans.

His last day in the parish, was Sunday 31st July, when he preached at St John’s, finishing with this beautiful poem to remember his time with us.

Love Enduring
Love is Strong
Many years lived
Many tears give
From births to deaths
Your hand to help 

Love Enduring
Love is Strong
Nothing fathoms
the generation of an ever-living song
A hymn of music in everyone’s heart
A melody humming in God’s heart
The song of love!
Whom it meets it greets
Serenading the most in need

Love Enduring
Love is Strong
Welcomed me as your own
Kidlington with Hampton Poyle
I delight to sing your song.

Christian, Thank you for all you brought to our parish life. Our best wishes to you, your wife and coming baby.