Worshipping together is just Oxford’s way of life

It’s not only between faiths but also between denominations of the same faith, for example the Oxford Jewish Congregation is Orthodox but encourages Jews from the other mainstream British denominations to be members of the same congregation and to worship in their own way in the same Oxford Synagogue and Jewish Centre.

So on any Shabbat – Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath – you will find an Orthodox service taking place, while once a month there is a Liberal service and once a month there is a Masorti (the word means traditional) service. Each of them different, but given the same credibility within and as part of the congregation.

As far as we know, we are unique in the world to work together in this way; in more ‘normal’ communities there would be separate buildings and services for each denomination, as with the range of churches and chapels that serve the different Christian denominations.

Also in Oxford, the Christian Orthodox Congregations, Russian and Greek, share their building, another rare occurrence.

It must be something in the Oxford air.

And this extends to the strong inter-faith relationships and mutual support in the city; there is a rich variety of dialogue groups, from the Round Table of Religions to the Council of Christians and Jews, the Centre for Christian-Muslim dialogue and numerous more local groups involving the exchange of ideas and theology between people of different faiths.

The formal establishment of the Oxford Council of Faiths some four years ago brought together more than 20 faith groups with the aims of enhancing inter-faith and community relationships, improving social cohesion and acting as a focal point for the discussion of mutual concerns between people of faith and secular organisations, for example Thames Valley Police (TVP), Oxford City Council, the NHS and others.

But well before this, in 2004, the first of the annual Interfaith Friendship Walks took place.

Now in its 11th year, people of all faiths and none walk between the Oxford Jewish Centre in Richmond Road and the Central Mosque in Manzil Way calling at St Giles’ Church and Radcliffe Square on the way.

There are reflections and inclusive prayers at each stop, refreshments at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin in Radcliffe Square, and, at the end we all share a meal provided by the mosque, with desserts made by members of the Oxford Jewish Congregation.

It’s an extraordinary experience. Previously some 500 people of all ages have joined in, carrying balloons and talking non-stop as they establish new friendships and contacts with a myriad of people.

Participants join in along the route, others may drop out for other engagements. And though each may be a member of a faith tradition, many are not.

I well remember some three years ago walking part of the way with a young man who told me that he was a philosopher at the university, now not practising his faith, but he said: “I wouldn't miss this for the world”.

The very presence of so many people who wanted to demonstrate their friendship and solidarity, and the general ambiance of mutual goodwill and respect, were for him an important part of his Oxford experience.

This year’s walk is leaving from the synagogue at 6.15pm on Thursday, June 12.

As well as the representatives from faith traditions, participants will include the city’s Lord Mayor, the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire and TVP’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

Embrace the Lord’s power to defeat evil

• Pastor Patrick Tolani

Pastor Patrick Tolani, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Barton

WE believe very strongly the Lord has already imbued us with power as we are told in the Book of Acts of Apostle Chapter 1 verse 8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Furthermore, we have a witness in us that because we are children of God, He has given us His power according to the Gospel of John Chapter 1 verse 12.

To be able to stand and face up to the challenges we are confronted with in our world today, we need the overflowing power of God.

The desire to have the overflowing power is not out of proportion from the capability of God to imbue us with such power.

In John Chapter 3 verse 34, the Bible says concerning Jesus: “For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.” Jesus needed the Spirit (the power) without measure or without limit so He could destroy the power of the devil.

The world is overwhelmed with evil today. Imagine what some workers of iniquity can do, particularly in its most callous and audacious format, as we found with the abduction of more than 270 girls in Nigeria. The world is full of evil and we need the overflowing power of God to confront and defeat the devil and his cohort.

The devil operates now in big and small scale all over the world. The Bible told us the world is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God.

What they are waiting for is not our ability to speak, not our gorgeous dressing or our organisational ability. They are desperately waiting for us to manifest the awesome power of God. They are waiting for the power that parted the sea.

They are waiting for the power that set the captives free. They want to have contact with the power that provided enough to feed thousands when there was nothing.

Such is the power that is available to do greater works than Jesus did and that he told us we will be capable of doing when He returns to His father.

Be prepared to receive the overflowing power from the Lord this weekend, as we have always maintained quoting Benny Hinn’s popular saying: “Whatever you can perceive you can conceive and whatever you can conceive you can receive. Your expectations will not be cut short in the name of Jesus.”

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