I have a dream…

Oxford is not only a city of dreaming spires, it is a city of dreams. Even the University once had a dream, expressed in its motto, ‘Dominus illuminatio mea’ ‘The Lord is my Light’. As Churches in the city, we dream that our city would be transformed into a place where Christ is its light. We dream of Oxford being a place of safety, refuge and unity. The city is known as a centre for intellectual brilliance, but we dream of it being renowned for the brilliance of the love of God to be found here.

For all these reasons, we are planning for the second year running a summer term open air celebration event in Broad Street on Sunday 11th May 2008. We would love you to be there.

Many Christians in Oxford long to work together more, to pray together and to serve together in our city. We gather together thousands of worshippers in the city of Oxford not only to ‘be one’, but to be seen to be one.

The Vision for Love Oxford

...is strikingly simple. It is to encourage Churches to move their morning service on one Sunday in the year to the heart of Oxford with the purpose of:

• Declaring the praises of Him who brought us out of darkness into Light

• Hearing the Word of God preached by pastors in our city

• Praying for the peace of the city in which God has placed us.

We believe that this is one of the best ways to love our city: that we show our love for and dependence on God; that we speak in a public place about His deep and ever-flowing love, and that we gather His Church together for our city. In this way we want to plant the flag of the gospel again at the very heart of Oxford.

The criteria for a Church joining this growing number of churches committed to ‘Love Oxford’ are: a love for God and his Word, a love for this historic city of Oxford, her inhabitants and her destiny, and a love for all other Christians.

There are churches from many denominations and groups including Anglican, Baptist, URC, Catholic, Pentecostal, Evangelical, ‘New’ and foreign language Churches on board, and more are still joining in. A list of Churches participating may be viewed by clicking on 'Participating Churches' in the side bar.

In addition we plan activities which can offer practical help to those in need as we seek to ‘love Oxford’ not only in words but also in deeds. Last year, the 5000+ Barbecue gave away free food on Bonn Square for 4 days running. And a Youth initiative called ‘The Noise’ which cleaned disadvantaged areas of Oxford and cleared gardens of those with no means to do so, comforting and encouraging the lonely. See www.vertigo-ox.com for more details. For 2008 there will be a new initiative called Hope 08. Click on 'Other Events' in the side bar for more details.