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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

We won't be having our usual service on the last Sunday of August, but we couldn't go a whole month without any Open Space goodness! We'll be meeting for a picnic at South Parks at 6pm on Sunday instead. Bring your own food, and looking at the forecast, a blanket to sit on!

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

Only a few hours left until tonight's Open Space! St Mary & St John, Cowley, Oxford 6pm for a meal 7:15pm for a reflective service. Our theme tonight is 'being'. Come and be with us.

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Open Space meets again tomorrow (27th July), at St Mary & St John Cowley. 6pm for a meal, 7:15 for a reflective service. Come for either, come for both, come as you are, know you are loved. This week we're going to be focused on 'Being'. Being ourselves, being known, being seen, being loved.

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

Will we see you tonight at our monthly Open Space meeting? St Mary & St John, Cowley Road 6pm for a meal (light summer salads - appropriate for the weather!) 7:15 for a reflective service Come for either or come for both, all welcome. (Churches are good places to stay cool in hot weather!!)

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Our next service is this Sunday, 29th June, at St Mary & St John, Cowley. Meal at 6pm, Service at 7:15pm, come for either, come for both. Come as you are, you are loved. Will we see you there?

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

Join us this Sunday 25th May for our next service in which we will be reflecting on the theme of Joy. Meal at 6pm, Service at 7.15pm, St Mary & St John, Cowley Come as you are, you are loved.

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Are you really a church service until you have a rota? We'd love to invite you to help us whether through Welcoming people, helping set up and clean up the service and meal, or reading during the service. If you are interested please let us know here: forms.gle/To83vfJcvWkM...

forms.gle

Volunteering with Open Space

Open Space is currently seeking volunteers to help us run our monthly services. More volunteer options will be available as we continue to run Open Space. We're starting by resourcing our Sunday ser...

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 27/04/2025

Getting ready for this evening - hope to see you there!

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 27/04/2025

Come and explore resurrection with us on this evening, Sunday 27th April. We will gather at St Mary and St John, Cowley at 6pm to eat, and at 7:15pm for our reflective service - you are welcome to join for either part, or for the whole evening.

“Christ has no body but yours,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.” - Teresa of Avila

@ St. Mary and St. John's Church, Cowley Road
Final Sunday of every month
Meal at 6pm, Service at 7:15pm

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

We’re looking forward to coming together this Sunday, the 27th April, for the second gathering of Open Space. Our theme will be ‘Resurrection’. Join us at St Mary and St John, Cowley at 6pm for some good food, and 7:15pm for queer theology, prayer, and reflective space - all very welcome.

“You are good, you are loved, you are love.”

@ St. Mary and St. John's Church, Cowley Road
Final Sunday of every month
Meal at 6pm, Service at 7:15pm

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

As Jesus taught us, “whatever you did for one of these who are least respected of my family, you did for me.” That we may once again discover the unity that is God’s will, let us pray.

Give us courage to overcome our fears, and seek that unity which is your gift and your will.

To stand up for those who are silenced, excluded, shut out.

To walk alongside the vulnerable and hurting in their struggle.

To share in our joys, our pains, and our hopes.

As we move together towards justice, may your will of Love be done.

Amen

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

To trans allies: It is time for you to step up. Protect your trans and gender nonconforming friends where you can. Welcome them, stand beside them, advocate for them in the places you can be and they cannot. Sit with them in their grief, and hold them in their pain.

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

To our trans friends: You are loved, you are accepted, you are holy. You are always welcome with us, just as you are, made wholly in the image of God - whether in the euphoria of joy, or deep lamentation for the injustice of this world.

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

Here at Open Space we try to ‘Learn the unforced rhythms of grace’ (Matthew 11:29). Today, looking at the Supreme Court ruling, it’s hard to feel much grace about anything.

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

We’ve spent the last week or so recovering and reflecting from our first meeting at the end of March - and looking ahead for what’s next! Were you at our first meeting of Open Space? Let us know how you found it!

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

The service will end at 8.15 by sharing the following grace: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. And the love of God. And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Be with us all evermore."

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

There are a variety of options for seating, including chairs and beanbags, and we welcome you to bring crafts or fidget toys if you would like (We’ll be bringing our knitting and our sketch books!)

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

At 7.30 we begin the service of which will take us through a cycle of prayer, readings or reflection, space for contemplation and music.

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

At 7.15 we will begin to play some quiet music as we transition towards the reflective space, anyone who does not want to stay for the service is welcome to make their way out at this point.

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

At 7pm we will begin to clear up the food and tables, anyone who is able is welcome to help with this. You can also continue your conversations with other guests, or take a few minutes to yourself.

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

The meal will open with a welcome and grace from Martha, the Vicar of St Mary and St John Cowley, after which we will eat and get to know one another.

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

We will begin at 6pm with a shared dinner of curry and rice prepared by Oxford Community Kitchen. All food will be vegetarian, with a vegan and gluten free option.

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

We're less than a week away from our first service. We're looking forward to welcoming you Sunday 30th March at 6pm (for dinner) or 7.30 (for the service) at St Mary & St John, Cowley Road. Here's what you can expect:

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Reposted by Open Space Oxford

Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Open Space is an ecumenical Christian event, open to those of all faiths and none. We’ve had a lot of thoughts about how to approach this, and about the culture and community we want to grow.

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

So we’re going to: 🌈 Offer a free meal to build community together 🌈 Have a gentle service including prayer & time for reflection 🌈 Approach conversations about God & queer theology with curiosity and compassion 🌈 Creatively come together to ‘Learn the unforced rhythms of grace’ (Matthew, 11:29)

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

This is because: 🌈 We know many queer people have been hurt deeply by organised religion, and that we can’t heal that hurt in an evening 🌈 We want a space to explore the joys and the troubles of queer faith 🌈 We know that the intersection of faith and queerness can be hard and lonely

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

This means: 🌈 We don’t expect you to follow a specific creed 🌈 We won’t expect you to subscribe to a specific brand of Christianity, or to Christianity at all. 🌈 We won’t try to evangelise or convert you

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Open Space is an ecumenical Christian event, open to those of all faiths and none. We’ve had a lot of thoughts about how to approach this, and about the culture and community we want to grow.

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Hi, we'd love to have you both! There's a parking bay on Cowley Road just outside the church with no restrictions on Sundays and there are usually spaces. If you have particular access needs do email and we can see if we can do something in the church's limited parking. (Openspace.oxford@gmail.com)

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Open Space is a queer, disabled and neurodivergent-led service. We’ve tried to make it as inclusive and accessible as possible. Over the next few days we will be sharing what you can expect from our service. Let us know if there is anything we miss or any questions you have.

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

We're excited for the first Open Space service this month. 🗓 Join us 30th March for an ecumenical space of fellowship and reflection for queer Christians and affirming allies in Oxford. - 6pm Dinner (free) - 7.30 Reflective Service Come to either, come to both, come as you are, you are loved.

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

The 15 minute break between the meal and the service is for people to have a Designated Time for leaving or arriving if they're only attending part of the evening. It's also to allow for some decompression and breather time for those sticking around for the whole event.

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

We know some people may want to engage with this community but not join for a reflective religious service - totally fine. We know some may want to join for the service, but not want to be social beforehand - also totally fine. We want this space to be flexible, and for you to come as you are.

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Fancy coming to our first event on 30th March, but aren't sure you can come to the whole evening? That's fine! If you want to come to the meal but not the service, then join us at 6pm for some food and company. The service starts at 7:30pm, and there will be a 15 minute breather between the two.

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

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Open Space Oxford @openspaceoxford.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

Open Space is a new monthly ecumenical Christian gathering for the queer community and affirming allies to share food, space, and fellowship through a meal followed by a short reflective service. An intentionally inclusive, relaxed and welcoming space for all - starting 30th March

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