Advent Is a Season of Waiting for the Birth of Jesus Christ. It Is Not an Empty Time, But

Programme

Advent is a season of waiting for the birth of Jesus Christ. It is not an empty time, but one that is pregnant with hope and expectation, an opportunity for careful preparation for his coming.

The aim of this day is to enjoy some quiet time and space in which we may explore those aspects of our lives that inhibit our fulfilment as children of God rooted and grounded in love and forgiveness.

By increasing awareness of the reality of ourselves in relation to God, we may be able to discern what holds us back and how we may find ways through those barriers and to be ready to welcome the celebration of the Incarnation.

Event Facilitators:

The Revd Georgie Simpsonhas a background of parish ministry and pastoral care in a variety of contexts. She is also an experienced spiritual director and retreat leader, and an advocate for more reflective forms of worshipping God. She loves encouraging people to make connections between art, music,poetry and spirituality, resonances that enliven and deepen faith.

The Revd Canon Angela Tilby is a Canon of Christ Church, Oxford, and her work in the Diocese is Continuing Ministerial Development Adviser. Prior to that she has been Vice-Principal of Westcott House, Cambridge, and a senior producer at the BBC, where she made several acclaimed television programmes and series. She is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day.

Booking Form

Preparing for Advent 2014

Name:

Address:

Post code:

Daytime phone number:

Email:

Where did you hear about this event?

I enclose a cheque for £......

payable to:

ODBF-Administered Funds

Please return this form

with your cheque to:

Revd Georgie Simpson

St Michael at the North Gate

Cornmarket, Oxford OX1 3EY

07803 031 977

From stumbling blocks to stepping stones… discerning what inhibits our fulfilment in life and finding our way towards God.

“I have, by God’s grace, learned as a member of the Christian community what is the nature of God’s mercy, which does not leave me to overcome my sin by my own effort, so I have something to say to the fellow-sufferer who does not know where to look for hope. And what I have to say depends utterly on my willingness not to let go of that awareness of myself that reminds me where I start each day—not as a finished saint but as a needy person still struggling to grow.”
(RowanWilliams, Where God Happens: Discovering Christ in One Another)

“Sin is behovely, but all shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.”

(Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love, ch. 27)

St Giles’ Church is a beautiful parish church very close to central Oxford. It is a place of tranquillity and peace providing traditional Anglican worship in a variety of ways.

Vicar: Revd Canon Andrew Bunch

Tel: 01865 510460

OCSG- The Oxford Centre for Spiritual Growth,based at the Church of St Michael at the North Gate, aims to encourage people to explore the deeper meaning of life and the spiritual aspect of what it is to be human.

Director: Revd Georgie Simpson

Tel: 07803 031 977

OCSG and St Giles’ Churchare working together in trying to provide more opportunities for spiritual growth. We aim to offer a variety of approaches and events, involving reflective practice and increasing awareness of God, ourselves and each other.

Preparing for Advent

2014

A Quiet Day of Reflection

led by Revd Georgie Simpson

with meditations by

Revd Canon Angela Tilby

Wednesday 26th November

10.30 am – 4.30 pm

St Giles’ Church, Oxford

£15 including refreshments

but please bring a packed lunch

All welcome!