Around the world, more than two billion people are followers of Jesus Christ.
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We rejoice in "one Lord, one faith, one baptism," but we also acknowledge that God gives different gifts and insights to different people. By listening to each other and learning from each other, we can learn more about the Christ we follow and support each other in mission.
Snapshot
In the Diocese of Oxford, we share in God’s mission with partners from a huge range of countries. These include four link dioceses, six dioceses with which we are linked through the Mothers' Union Wave of Prayer, and a large number of connections between parishes in the our diocese and parishes and mission partners around the world.
We are also home to a number of mission agencies, both Anglican and ecumenical, as well as several theological educational institutions with a wide range of world connections. And in our churches and communities, thousands of people bring the gift of having roots or connections in different countries.
Together, we seek to share perspectives and witness to God's love in God's world.
What we mean by world mission
"Gone are the days when mission was just something that happened ‘out there’, done by a few missionaries.
"Current thinking about mission would stress that every Christian is an agent of God’s mission, and mission goes on everywhere, its goal nothing less than ‘…the creation itself [being] set free from its bondage to decay and [obtaining] the freedom of the glory of the children of God."
Rom 8:21 (tenses changed)
The quote above comes from an introduction by the Revd Canon Tim Naish, former secretary of Partners in World Mission. You can read the full document here.
It's a reminder of two things that are central to our work: firstly, that mission involves all Christians around the world and is mutual; secondly that it takes many forms including telling people about the Gospel, discipling Christians to grow, offering loving service to neighbours local and global (and receiving from them), seeking justice, and caring for creation.
Join in! Read more about what we are doing below and on our subpages, and if you'd like to get involved, contact one of the key contacts listed below.
Latest news
Christmas in the link dioceses
Some of our partners shared their Christmas traditions with us in an amazing video series. From Saint Lucia in Sweden to steel drums in Jamaica and favourite carols in South Africa, they're well worth a watch.
See the series on our YouTube channel.
Embrace the Middle East and the Diocese of Oxford partner in online Advent vigils
For Advent 2024, Embrace the Middle East and the Diocese of Oxford jointly invited churches around the diocese to Embrace the Middle East's online Advent vigils with the theme 'Longing for Light'.
As war and violence continued to blight the lives of the people of Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine, the vigils offered an opportunity to pray for our Christian family and for all in the Middle East. Participants were able to hear firsthand from women representing the three Abrahamic faiths about the way the their lives have been impacted by the war. Each speaker reflected on how they found hope in the midst of conflict, speaking from the perspective of their own experience and faith tradition. Bible studies on the women of the New Testament offered material for reflection, and people shared prayer requests and prayers. One participant wrote: "[the sessions] were well done, informative, and thought provoking." We continue to hold Embrace, its partners, and the communities affected by the conflict in our prayers.
Key Contacts
Acting Chair
The Revd Canon Rachel Carnegie
Secretary
The Rt Revd Henry Scriven
Treasurer
Joan Walker
0118 987 4872
PWM Project Officer
Maranda St John Nicolle
07493 377 580
Kimberley & Kuruman Link Chair
The Revd Canon Sue Booys
Nandyal Link Chair
The Rt Revd Gavin Collins
Växjö Link Chair
The Revd Maria Jukes