Community Gossip

Gossip? In Old English, a “godsibb” was a godmother or godfather, from “god” plus “sib,” meaning “relative” (related to our modern “sibling”). It was later used to refer to companions in childbirth – people from the community who were there in difficult and celebratory times.

Here you'll find a list of things we've been doing/thinking/reading.

photo of us greeting the non-existant sun rise

Have faith that the sun/son has risen!

We greeted the new Easter day's arrival like disciples hearing news from Mary: taking faith that the sun/son had risen...somewhere over there! A few of us met up at Boars Hill, crept down a strictly private road (to find an east-facing view), huddled in Swifty (our campervan) while the kettle boiled and the hot cross buns toasted, then ventured out into a nearby field to watch the sun illumine the dark into a sort of lighter grey. We used some prayers about dawn from the wee worship book, told our own version of the first moments of Easter, and read a Mary Oliver poem (below).

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Sunday, April 20, 2014 - 6:16am

Communties Conference - Mar 2014

On Friday 28th March 2014 I attended the Religious Life and Renewal Conference in Lambeth Palace. There were about 100 attendees from well established communities (hundreds of years old) and also new monastic communities such as mayBe (now 10 years old!). We met in the quite daunting halls of Lambeth Palace on the banks of the Thames. Thick red carpets, big portraits on oak panelled walls and even a door disguised as a bookcase. Fortunately the decor did not upstage the day. The content of the conference was good.
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Friday, April 4, 2014 - 12:54pm

April's cycle 2014

These are dates for your diary - more details to follow!
  • Community Meal at Ali and Deb's:  Thursday 10th April
  • Soup and Soul at Sam's (tbc):  Friday 11th April
  • Good Friday Walk in Shotover and Stations of the Cross: Friday 18th April
  • Worship in South Parks: Sunday 27th April at 10.30am
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Thursday, April 3, 2014 - 4:15pm

March's Cycle

In this month's Cycle, we will be reflecting upon, 'How can I better celebrate creation as God's gift?'.  This is inspired by the Lent Course of Operation Noah (www.operationnoah.org) and Psalm 104. We will be praying: Christ within us Light above us Earth beneath us Love surrounds us Peace!   Dates for your diary - more details to follow! Soup and Soul at Sam and Dave's:  Friday 7th March at 12.30 Little Sunday at South Parks:  Sunday 9th March at 10.30am Big Saturday: Saturday 22nd March - 10am -2pm.
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Friday, February 28, 2014 - 10:21am

mayBe Retreat with Andy Freeman: 22nd - 24th November 2013

The welcome at Court Hill Centre (independent youth hostel)was incredibly warm - the staff could not have been more hospitable.  The children took to the large converted barn like a second home, and the adults found space to unwind, play, and talk about life and mayBe.  Andy Freeman provided some welcome perspectives on being a changing community and finding a rule of life.  Stories were shared, there was dancing and singing, a great deal of eating (and some drinking!).  Jim excelled himself entertaining the children of all ages in the big outdoors, and the bonfire was enjoyed by all.
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Friday, February 7, 2014 - 3:21pm

February 2014 Cycle

Our theme this month is The Greatest Commandment; '...'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength', and 'love your neighbour as yourself'.'   Each week we will take one aspect of how we are to love God. Soup and Soul at Sam and Dave's:  Friday February 7th 12.30                                           ...with all your heart... Little Sunday at South Parks: February 9th 10.30                                                                  ...with all your mind...
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Friday, February 7, 2014 - 2:55pm

December's Cycle

Friday 6th December:  Soup and Soul at Sam's Chalgrove. Sunday 8th @ 4pm:  Christingle at Barrack's Lane Community Garden. Thursday 12th@ 7.30pm:  Community meal and conversation at John and Emma's. Saturday 21st @ 2-5pm:  mayBe Christmas party - carols, dressing up, games, mulled wine and a short Christmas liturgy - at Cowley     St. James Church Centre.
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Friday, November 29, 2013 - 10:17am

We shared a new blessing on Sunday

  May the light find you on a dismal day When you need to be home may you find your way May you always have courage to take a chance And never find frogs in your underpants!
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Friday, November 22, 2013 - 11:00am

November: Community rule of life

Thinking about a Rule of Life that perhaps we could adopt as a community. This might be rituals we follow, prayer routines, songs, a common grace...the possibilities are endless but should be communal!
  • Friday 1st Nov 12:30pm - Soup and Soul lunch Chalgrove
  • Sunday 10th Nov 10.30am  - Agape gathering -  Florence Park bandstand
  • Thursday 14th Nov 7:30pm - community meal Chalgrove
  • Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th Nov -  Advent residential retreat
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Wednesday, October 30, 2013 - 10:08am

October

In this month we'll be looking at Autumn and change....
  • Sunday 13th Oct - Bury Knowle park - 10:30am
  • Thursday 18th Oct - evening conversation - 7:30pm venue tbc
  • Sunday 27th Oct - Big Sunday! - 10:30am - 3pm - venue tbc
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Friday, October 11, 2013 - 4:39pm

Night Prayer

The following night prayer was written collaboratively between us one Thursday evening. We used everyday objects to guide is through each section.   We come as individuals, but also as one. Seeking nourishment, awaiting transformation, waiting for surrender to become embrace, of old to become new, of tired to become reawakening. *May we be aware of the beauty and detail of your creation.* (each person repeats this line) Through the night, your reflection shines in the dark and holds us in its gaze. We will reach up to you and take your hand. May our work bear fruit,
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Friday, June 21, 2013 - 8:37pm

Cheeky monkey

Sun 16 Jun 2013

Today we met outside at South Park and celebrated the Eucharist with our visitor Rev Simon. It was great to meet with him and share the story of mayBe community.
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Sunday, June 16, 2013 - 4:11pm

June - Writing

The theme for this month is Writing.
Friday 7th June - Soup and Soul - Chalgrove
Sun 16th June  - Gathering - South Park - 10:30am
Thurs 20th June - Evening conversation -
Sun 30th June - 10:30am - 3pm - Big Sunday with Picnic - venue to be confirmed
Please let us know if you need lifts to attend meetings.
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Wednesday, June 5, 2013 - 10:31am

May - Pilgrimage

This month mayBe will be looking at the topic of Pilgrimage. The calendar looks something like this: Friday 3rd - Soup & Soul at Sam's Sunday 12th at Rock Edge, Headington at 10:30am Thursday 16th - evening discussion at  Ali and Debs' starting at 7:30pm The MayBe Camping Weekend - 24th - 26th.
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Friday, May 10, 2013 - 10:07am

Walking on custard

  Custard walking Sunday 29th April 2013 - we spent the day recreating miracles! It was interesting to move away from the usual rhythm of worship. Its not always necessary to break down time into songs, liturgy, prayer, talk etc Sometimes you can break away from tradition and this is very much how our day went.
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Wednesday, May 1, 2013 - 3:33pm

April 2013 - Finding the Miracles!

In the wake of Easter, I thought we could look at the miracles of Jesus this month, and re-awaken ourselves to the miracles all around us. The plan is: Friday 5th, 3-5pm. Sandwiches and Stories at Sam's. We'll be looking at the story of the 10 lepers who Jesus healed, and the importance of saying "Thank You!". Sunday 14th. MayBe little Sunday, 10.30am in South Park. We'll be looking at the Feeding of the 5,000. Thursday 18th. MayBe Thursday evening meal at Ginny's. We'll be looking at Jesus casting out devils.
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Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - 1:10pm

March 2013

In March we're walking with Jesus on the long road to the cross...and beyond! Friday 8 March: soup and soul Sunday 10 March: mayBe littleSUNDAY worship gathering Thurs 14 March: community meal Sunday 24 March: mayBe BIGsunday get together in Chalgrove...with real donkeys!
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Thursday, March 28, 2013 - 7:57pm

february 2013 - social justice: within us; without us

first friday

friday 1st february - soup and soul, 12:30pm, chalgrove

second sunday

sunday 10 february - 10.30am - gathering and coffee: south park

third thursday - tuesday instead!

tuesday 12 february - 5:00pm: pancakes - les robineau

fourth sunday

sunday 24 february - 10am-4pm: worship, reflection, play and food, boars hill carmelite priory
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Thursday, February 7, 2013 - 6:43pm

january 2013: Jesus

first friday

friday 11 january (moved to second friday due to school holidays) - soup and soul, 12:30pm, Chalgrove

second sunday

sunday 13 january - 10.30am - gathering and coffee: South Park, John

third thursday

thursday 17 january - 7.30pm: community meal: John&Emma's

fourth sunday

sunday 27 january - 2.30pm-6pm: worship, play and food, St James' Church Centre, Beauchamp Lane
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Wednesday, January 2, 2013 - 9:16pm

images of church cycle

week 1

thursday 1 november - 7pm - community meal: Sam&Dave's sunday 4 november - 10.30am - gathering: South Park, John

week 2

thursday 8 november - 7.30pm - community meal: John&Emma's

week 3

friday 16 november - 5-7pm - messy church, Wood Farm family centre

week 4

thursday 22 november - 7pm - community meal: Rich&Tracey's

week 5

thursday 29 november - 7pm - community meal: Ali&Debs'

week 6

sunday 9 december - 3pm - Christingle service: Barracks Lane Community Garden, Sam

week 7

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Monday, October 29, 2012 - 8:28pm

Next cycle

Week 1

thursday 13th september - 7pm -  community meal: Toby's

Week 2

sunday 23 september - 10.30am - gathering: Florence Park bandstand, Sam

Week 3

thursday 27 september - 7pm - community meal: Rich&Tracey's, resource: Rich sunday 30 september - 10.30am - gathering: South Park, John&Emma

Week 4

friday 5 october - 5-7pm - messy church, Wood Farm Family Centre sunday 7th oct -11am - "Are you a hungry caterpillar?" - Barracks Lane Community Garden, Toby

Week 5

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Wednesday, September 12, 2012 - 7:12pm

The Very Hungry Consumer

This is from our service at Greenbelt 2012. We were looking to challenge our consumer culture; looking for nourishment; looking towards transformation. It was a family service (it's the only kind we know!) that also included a reading of the Very Hungry Caterpillar, sharing discussions, and both origami and real butterflies. 

The Very Hungry Consumer

In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf. Then one day, out popped a small and very hungry consumer

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Thursday, August 30, 2012 - 8:53pm

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