Past Activities

In addition to our many activities, here are some  of the activities from the past, some of which have temporarily stopped due to the pandemic and may start again in the future. Please do check back regularly to our website.

Click on one of the links to find out more about some of the events, meetings and activities from our past.

The 4pm service was a new style of service that started in May 2021. (Find out more here.) It met inside the church hall from 16:00 every third Sunday each month and replaced the 10am morning service on these days. The service is welcome to all and is followed by refreshments. For more information please contact 01865-202988  musicdirector@stnicholasmarston.org.uk.

The 4pm took place in the church hall and included: a welcome activity, sung worship, Bible discussion, food, an interview, fellowship. One of aims will be to consider what ‘Living Life and the Christian Faith’ might mean for us.

Our final 4pm service was held at the church hall on 19th February 2023 starting at 16:00. You can download the poster for the service here. The team planning these service hope that everybody of all ages will feel welcome at these services. For more information please see Neil Barker – musicdirector@stnicholasmarston.org.uk.

We have greatly enjoyed two Alpha courses in Autumn 2015 and Spring 2016 which were attended by a good number of people of different ages and backgrounds. We found them to be thought-provoking and encouraging of our growth in faith. You can find details of other churches who are currently running Alpha courses at uk.alpha.org.

What is Alpha?

Alpha is a series of interactive sessions that freely explore the basics of the Christian faith.

Who’s it for?

Alpha is for anyone who’s curious. The talks are designed to encourage conversation and explore the basics of the Christian faith in a friendly. open and informal environment. No question is out of bounds and you are free to discuss as much or as little as you wish.

How does it work?

Alpha is nine sessions with the option of a day away on towards the end of the course. Each session includes a meal, a short talk by Nicky Gumbel or another speaker, and a discussion at the end where you can share your thoughts. At any point, if you think Alpha isn’t for you, that’s not a problem. There’s no pressure, no follow up and no charge.

How much is it?

There’s no charge to do Alpha, but for any who would like to make a donation towards the food there will be an opportunity to do so if you wish.

What sort of topics will be covered?

Is there more to life than this? (first session) Who is Jesus? Why did Jesus die? How can we have faith? Why and how do I pray?

What is our eat pray love gathering?

  • A café style meeting place
  • Conversations with the gospels
  • Contemporary worship
  • Reflections on living for christ

Eat pray love is a gathering for everyone. There are usually three parts: ‘eat’ – reading and discussing a gospel passage while sharing a simple meal together; ‘pray’ – sung worship sometimes with a time of stillness; ‘love’ – listening to someone reflect or be interviewed on living as a christian.

  • Third sunday evening of the month (February to October) – currently cancelled due to covid-19
  • 18:00 to 19:15
  • St Nicholas’ Church Hall room, Elsfield Road OX3 0PR

You cand find out more on their website: Eat Pray Love Oxford – A Christian gathering for all (wordpress.com)

The Taize service would usually fall on the fifth Sunday of the month when there was a fifth Sunday in a particular month. It is a communion service based upon the style of worship of the Taize community in France and using the worship songs from Taize. You can find out more about Taizé at their website: Taizé (taize.fr)

In June 2018 the congregation spent a weekend at Murcott House, enjoying getting to know each other, good food, beautiful countryside, sunshine and learning more about our faith. During this time we reflected on what it means to be a church in our community and how we can best serve our local community. We hope to have to meet again in the not to distant future.

Eat, Pray, Love

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Administrator

St Nicholas Church

C/O Marston Vicarage

Elsfield Road

Old Marston

OX3 0PR

Email: administrator

Tel: 01865 580 354

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Your local churches at the heart of the community of Old Marston in Oxford and Elsfield village in Oxfordshire.