Message from Bishop John: 'Welcome back to your weekly e-news.  May the year 2012 be one where we all reach deeper into God and into the possibilities of our ministries, lay and ordained. Thank you in advance for all you do for the Kingdom! Two things to note now:

1. There is a new Simple Guide on its way via your Area Dean or Lay Chair.  It's on 'Christianity' and is intended as a very basic map for those large numbers of people who come through our doors but don't really know very much about the Christian faith in this age of religious illiteracy. (PDF version here...)

2. There is a new 'Pancake Day' card - an excellent, simple way of bringing the Gospel to people through a popular seasonal event.  (Details here...)

I look forward to being with you sometime on the journey through 2012.' - + John

TRAINING/COURSES
A History of Christianity in 15 Objects continues - 19 January at 7.30pm in Deddington Parish Church. Details here...

Ripon College, Cuddesdon Open Day - 28 January. Details here...

Biblical Study Break: Reading Psalms - 6 to 9 February at Sarum College. Details here...

A Matter of Life and Death - A fresh approach to Holy Week and Easter
Saturday 18 February at Christ Church Cathedral from 10.30am - 4pm. This course is for clergy and lay leaders of worship from all traditions in the Church of England.  Details here... Booking form here...

Naturally Supernatural - A Soul Survivor event about the Holy Spirit for the whole church - 15 to 18 February at Eastbourne Congress Theatre. Details here.

From Practice to Policy: Theological reflection on being a Chaplain - 21 April
A one day practitioner's workshop for people involved in chaplaincy to be held at Ripon College, Cuddesdon from 10am - 4pm. Details here...

2012 Church of England Communications Training Programme here...

Vulnerability and Transformation Conference at Sarum College - 4 to 6 May. Details ..

46th International Ecumenical Seminar
'What to do about 2017? The Ecumenical Challenge of an Anniversary. This seminar is from 4 to 11 July in Strasborg, France. Details here...

RESOURCES

New 2012 Diocesan Calendar (Jan - March) - Helpful dates and information about the work of the diocese here...

New discipleship resource by BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) - Foundations21 

Whole Bible Sense is a new book by Richard Hawkins (an easy new plan to read the whole Bible in two years) is recommended by Bishop John in the introduction. Cost £7.50. Details here...

WaterAid Lent Appeal - here...

CAMPAIGNS/EVENTS

Churches Together in Buckinghamshire are holding a service of Induction and Welcome for the new Ecumenical Development Officer, Revd Dr Mary Cotes on Saturday 21 January at 3.30pm in Amersham Free Church HP6 6AJ. All welcome! Details from This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

After Eight worship at Christ Church Cathedral. Jan/Feb programme. Feb/March programme.

Earthing Faith network gathering - 2 February from 7pm to 9pm at Diocesan Church House
Sharing stories from projects around the diocese; showcasing resources to highlight environmental issues in your prayer and worship and plenty of time for conversations over light refreshments.  Find out more and register here....

Bringing Armed Forces families and local communities together
Oxfordshire Play Association have organised fun filled activity days for all the family - free entrance. Details here....

Celebrate The Queen's Diamond Jubilee with the whole community
The Big Jubilee Lunch and The Big Thank You - details here...

MORE ...

Apply for £10m green fund
The Church of England has welcomed the Government's announcement of a new £10m Local Energy Asssessment Fund which gives community groups, including churches, a chance to bid for money.  Details here...

Do you have a pretty churchyard?
Visitoxfordshire is looking for Oxfordshire churches with pretty churchyards to feature. If you are in the Oxfordshire area and have a pretty churchyard please let Heather Armitage know ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Vacancies in the Diocese of Oxford here. The Diocesan Board of Patronage is looking for a clergy person to fill a current vacancy - details here (Nominations must be proposed and seconded by members of Diocesan Synod. Deadline is 27 January).