We were so pleased to be able to resume public worship in July. Thanks to a change of Government policy choral worship is now also permitted.
From Tuesday 14 September the following services will be open to the public:
Weekdays:
Morning Prayer at 7.15am and Eucharist at 7.35am
Monday Evening Prayer at 6pm
Tuesday to Saturday Choral Evensong at 6pm
Sundays:
Said Eucharist at 8am and Sung Eucharist at 11am. The 8am Sunday Eucharist will be livestreamed.
Choral Evensong at 6pm
Some pre-recorded services are available on our online worship pages.
We are no longer open for private prayer between 4pm and 6pm as the choir is rehearsing.
Please note:
- From 14 September, entry to the Cathedral is via Tom Gate
- Parking is available on Sunday mornings only from 10.30 am. Please note the barrier will be closed again at 12.30pm.
- Masks must be worn
- You will be asked to sanitise your hands on arrival
- You will be asked to leave your contact details for the purposes of 'track and trace'
- To maintain social distance we need to spread out. Please follow the directions of the vergers. This means that we may have to turn people away if we run out of space.
- There will be organ music and the choir will sing during choral services, but there is still no congregational singing
- Please do not touch or hug anyone who is not part of your household, especially during the Peace.
- Communion will be offered in one kind, i.e.the chalice will not be offered to the congregation. If you would like to receive, please follow the instructions of the Vergers.
- The President will be following best practice to minimise risk. If you would like a blessing, please keep your head bowed. The President will pray a short blessing without touching you.
Our prayers for the work of this Cathedral, Diocese and all the peoples and communities we seek to serve will continue - to express the love of God being with us all at this time.
Cycle of Prayer
During lockdown, please do join us in our weekly cycle of prayer.
Sunday – Our Dean, Chapter and clergy
Monday – Our Cathedral congregations
Tuesday – Our Choirs (Cathedral Choir, Cathedral Singers, Frideswide Voices)
Wednesday – Our Cathedral volunteers
Thursday – Our honorary canons and honorary chaplains
Friday – Our Cathedral staff
Saturday – Parishes of which Christ Church is patron, our Cathedral School; the College
You may also like to make use of the special booklet of Prayer Resources we have created.
See also: www.chch.ox.ac.uk/onlineworship
COVID 19 Pastoral Care and Resources FAQ
Is the Cathedral open?
The Cathedral is open for services, as set out above. We are sorry that it is not open for you to drop in or visit with a group out of these times.
Who can I contact for prayer and support?
The Cathedral is seeking to offer as much pastoral support as possible during this difficult time. If you would like prayers for yourself or someone you know, or to speak with one of the clergy, please email subdean@chch.ox.ac.uk
Are you live streaming services?
From Sunday 20 September we will be livestreaming the 8am Eucharist. We also offer some pre-recorded services on our online worship pages.
We will be livestreaming a number of special services over the next few months. Do keep checking back as the content we offer will evolve.
The diocese will continue to livestream Sunday services at 10am.
What can I do as an alternative to public worship?
We would encourage the Cathedral community to continue to worship in new and different ways. If you don't feel comfortable coming to the Cathedral, bear in mind:
- From Sunday 20 September we will livestream the Eucharist at 8am.
- We will be livestreaming on other occasions, too. Just check our online worship page.
- From Sunday 20 September we will be offering a weekly podcast.
- You can listen to a range of past sermons on our website.
- You can listen to daily prayers at pray-as-you-go.org
- Daily prayers for morning evening and night can be found at www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer
- Simple daily prayers can be found at anordinaryoffice.org.uk/
What radio and TV programmes are available?
- The Daily Service is available online, on DAB and Long Wave
- Songs of Praise is Broadcast on BBC 1 at 1.15pm on Sunday
- BBC Radio 4 broadcasts Prayer for the Day at 5.43am each day and Sunday worship at 8.10am
- BBC Radio 3 broadcasts Choral Evensong at 3.30pm on Wednesdays
What is happening about special services and concerts?
In line with Church and Government advice most special services have been cancelled or postponed. However we are doing our best to make a version of special services available online. For an up to date list of event cancellations please see here: www.chch.ox.ac.uk/events/all/cathedral-services-and-events
