Hi guys
AFTERWORD (2)
Things just got a whole lot better! These nice people at JustGiving alerted us to the competition they were running with Paypal when advising us of one of the first donations. The idea was to come up with a film title/food pun. So, we canvassed my website members and our congregation at Mary Mags for ideas (me being a lazy so-and-so) and Brady, one of the brilliant choristers who helped make our wedding a very special day, came up with a winner - "Educating Raita". One small "a" for a film title; one giant leap of £1,000 for our fund.
Her taking the trouble to spend a train journey coming up with possibilities means that our church and the OHCT are both £500 better off. So our congratulations to her and thanks to Paypal and JustGiving for the prize.
AFTERWORD
Many, many thanks to all of you who have helped us pass our target in just ten days - with more pledged to follow. The response has been unbelievable and well beyond the call of duty in some cases.
The trip, thanks to all the people and places it embraced, was a whole lot of fun and so we may very well repeat it one way or another next year. You have been warned! If you are puzzled as to what this is all about, please scroll down.
Altogether, I cycled 30+ miles and managed 33 churches, although I chickened out of three possible hill climbs up to Headington.
In general, the welcome at each church was warm and friendly and, in several places, calorific. There was no danger of dehydration.
Oxford has an extraordinary capacity to surprise, and amongst the highlights for me were these:
St Lukes, tucked away near the end of the Abingdon Rd and a less than glorified scout hut from the outside, but clearly a hive of activity inside and a blaze of colour from the contributions of local kids - of all ages, I guess, too.
Holy Rood, at Folly Bridge, just down on the left past Salters, heading South. I have still not quite recovered from the shock of discovering a "historical church" that's 28 years younger than me. Any modern church that's not red brick is likely to be a winner in my view though, and the first surprise was the font which was so big it could be a recycled jaccuzzi. Worth the visit alone is the beautifully carved lectern, an African sculpture that links the Tree of Life with the crucifixion. Because the place is so uncluttered, it stands out like a beacon.
Well known to many, I am sure, but unknown to me, was Bartlemas Chapel off Cowley Rd, up a lane nearly opposite the old Gala Bingo Hall, which is now a club. Such juxtapositions are typical of this area, where drugs are famously dealt not far from the mosque and outside one of the two sex shops is a sign pointing to the Christadelphian Hall. Bartlemas chapel is one of the oldest buildings in the district. Once a hospital, it helps you realise how a major component of medieval medicine was, understandably, prayer.
Finally, a word for St Michael and All Angels in Lonsdale Rd, Summertown, where the big surprise on entering is that you can see 150 angels. They are hanging from the ceiling. All made by local children from a fine mixture of white, silver, gold and transparent materials. No Blue Peter extravaganza either, because there was not a bogroll in sight. Presumably some sort of penance is due for looking up the skirts of 150 angels...
Anyway, the whole trip made me feel that such places are seriously worth keeping, not least because the human acitivities going on within are as uplifting as the buildings themselves. It's a simple truth that religions work better when they inspire fellowship, not war.
This page will remain open for a few more weeks if you feel like chipping in.
FOR NEWCOMERS, HERE'S OUR ORIGINAL PITCH!
Because St Mary Magdalen, our church in Oxford, did such a fantastic job for our wedding in March, Tish and I have decided to try and pay them back a bit by my taking part in this year’s Sponsored Ride & Stride. Tish will be cheerleader and will put up her pom poms for auction when I'm finished. Sorry ... have finished. She might even auction her cheerleading equipment too...
The event is run by the Oxford Historical Churches Trust, a body that awards grants to help maintain the fabric of the hundreds of historical churches of interest in Oxfordshire. Half the money raised goes to them and half to the church nominated by the participant which for us of course will be Mary Mags.
Basically the idea is that, on Saturday, September 12th, between 10am and 6pm, you can walk or cycle around as many churches in the vicinity as you wish and each visit is logged.
My patch will include Botley and Binsey at one extreme, then Iffley, Cowley and Headington at the others, so I plan to fit in 30-40 churches – weather, supplies of WD40 for bike and knees, plus availability of occasional massage permitting. Volunteers for the latter, preferably female, will need vetting by Tish. As she said when I suggested doing it, "Is this the first instance of one crumbling ruin being supported by another?" Most unfair....on the churches. Especially ours.
If you would like to sponsor on the basis of how many pubs I also manage to fit in, I am sure we can come to some arrangement.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send ALL your money (well, what you have donated anyway) directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
Judging by the feedback we had afterwards, March 7th was a great day for many beside ourselves, so Tish and I would really appreciate it if you would kindly dig deep and donate now.
And seeing as this is such a great site, should any of our donors use it for their own charities - or want to raise money for charity in any other way, we shall be happy to reciprocate if asked.
Love you all/You are always in our hearts/What would we do without you?/Have a nice day*
*delete as appropriate
Nigel and Tish
