We cannot boast of fine buildings or a
large congregation,
outstanding musical resources or a wide range of church
activities. We are a church of barely 40 members, clinging to
life on one of Oxford's outlying estates, because we believe that that
is where God is calling us to be. Somehow, by God's grace, we
manage to pay the bills and keep our buildings more or less
watertight. But what we can offer is a friendly, no-nonsense
congregation, which is committed to maintaining Christian witness on
the Risinghurst estate.
Community involvement is central to our church life, with a
coffee-lounge that is open to visitors every weekday morning, a popular
lunch club for the elderly, and a sponsored Scout group. 75% of
our members live within a short walk of the church, and we have a
strong
sense of "parish", though we also welcome people from elsewhere in
Oxford and the surrounding villages.
We choose to share our buildings with three other churches, which
worship in Korean, Punjabi and Portuguese, and we see a key part of our
witness being in our commitment to working together as Christians
overcoming the barriers of language and ethnic origin.
Glib answers and unchallengeable certainties are not our style; we
place a great deal of value in people feeling free to ask
questions. Honest doubt, wrestling with God, and a patient
waiting on the Spirit for understanding are more likely than
proof-texts to lead to a firm and confident faith. Above all we
believe that faith in Christ is about relationship, not signing on the
dotted line. But we also believe that Jesus' death on the cross
and resurrection has changed
everything, and that decision for Christ is an urgent and pressing
challenge for us all.
On the first Sunday of every month we meet at 10.00 a.m. for all-age
worship in our church hall, making use of drama, games and
participation, with the lively accompaniment of our music group, as we
try to find new
ways of worshipping for everyone from 5 to 95. The other Sundays
of the month we meet in the church at 9.30 a.m. for a more traditional
style of worship (with junior church for children). There is also
worship at 11.15 a.m. on Tuesdays, and a monthly house group.
We cannot boast of fine buildings or a
large congregation,
outstanding musical resources or a wide range of church
activities. We are a church of barely 40 members, clinging to
life on one of Oxford's outlying estates, because we believe that that
is where God is calling us to be. Somehow, by God's grace, we
manage to pay the bills and keep our buildings more or less
watertight. But what we can offer is a friendly, no-nonsense
congregation, which is committed to maintaining Christian witness on
the Risinghurst estate.