Faith societies, belief groups, or religious centres within Oxford University

Please scroll down to find out more about:

Atheist Information

oxash.wordpress.com/about

Oxford Atheists, Secularists and Humanists is a merger of the Oxford Secular Society (founded 2006) and the Oxford Atheist Society (founded 2008). The combined Society exists to promote and improve the understanding and discussion of Atheism, Secularism and Humanism, recognising that these are distinct traditions. The society is open to everyone, students and Oxford residents, regardless of their personal religious or political beliefs.

Baha’i Information

http://www.oxfordbahais.com/contact/

If you would like to learn more about the Baha’i Faith and the activities of the Oxford Baha’i community, please contact the Secretary of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Oxford: [email protected]

The Oxford University Baha’i Society exists to promote the study of the history, teachings and philosophy of the Baha’i Faith and their application to contemporary issues. The OUBS hosts regular events, often in collaboration with students at Oxford Brookes University, that are of particular interest to students but open to all members of the public.The current Secretary of the OUBS is Mahsa Khadem. She can be contacted at: [email protected]

Buddhism information

For Tibetan Buddhist worship see: http://www.thranguhouse.org.uk/

The Oxford University Buddhist Society (Budsoc) offers weekly meditation classes (free of charge) throughout all three Oxford terms, as well as speaker events on areas relating to meditation and Buddhist theory. We practice Samatha meditation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samatha_meditation All are welcome, regardless of there level of experience, or whether or not they attend Oxford University. Please email [email protected] for up-to-date info on the current time and venue of the weekly class.

Catholic Information

The Catholic Chaplaincy welcomes students, academics and all those who may find the Chaplaincy a support on their journey of faith. We want to help all who come here to encounter Christ, to find a home in the Church of our times, and to engage positively, generously and intelligently with our faith and with our world. www.catholic-chaplaincy.org.uk/

Newman Society: Oxford University Catholic Society exists to work in conjuncton with the Chaplains to support and encourage Catholic students in their Christian vocation by promoting their personal, intellectual and spiritual developement, social interaction, and apostolic witness within the board context of their univeristy experience. It also seeks to establish and maintain links with other religious groups within the University. http://users.ox.ac.uk/~newmansc/index.html

Diocese of Oxford (Anglican, Church of England Diocese)

The Scriptures and the Gospels, the Apostolic Church and the early Church Fathers, are the foundation of Anglican faith and worship in the 38 self-governing churches that make up the Anglican Communion.

For a list of churches in Oxford see: http://www.achurchnearyou.com/activemap.php?d2=27108

Hindu information

There is no central organisation or place of worship for the Hindu community in Oxford. In this section we list different programmes of worship and sanga (spiritual association) developed by the community.

The Oxford Hindu Temple & Community Centre Project (OHTCCP) has as its ultimate goal the building of a Hindu Temple/Community Centre in Oxford to serve all members of the Hindu Community in Oxfordshire. The OHTCCP runs monthly gatherings at different locations in Oxford for bhajan, havan, talks, and prasada, on the second Sunday of each month. It also organises special events to mark festival days throughout the year. www.oxfordhindutemple.org

Guru Kripa Kshetra, is a Hindu Temple which conforms to the Tamil Saivite tradition and is run by Athis and Chandra Vadivale, in a tiny hamlet in Oxfordshire. For the past 26 years major festivals like Shiva rathri and Navarathri have been observed. During major festivals priest from London preside over the homa and pujas. One of the major festivals held here is the Saneeswara Puja in the month of Puratasi (Sept/Oct), annually and the Navagraha Pooja in the third week of December annually. Contact: The Old Rectory, Middleton Stoney, Oxon OX6 8RZ, [email protected]

Oxford Kirtan is a regular meeting organised by the Vaishnava community in Oxford. Kirtan is an ancient process of communal chanting accompanied by musical instruments, a popular form of meditation. The Oxford Kirtan group attracts a wide range of participants and is open to all. Oxford Kirtan meets on the third Sunday of each month at the Friends Meeting House, St Giles, OX1 3LW, from 4pm – 6pm. Email [email protected] or view the blog at http://kirtans.blogspot.com

Hum Soc is the University of Oxford’s Hindu Society. HUM aims to cater for the needs of the Hindu, and by extension Indian, population in Oxford by providing religious, social, and cultural events appropriate to the traditions and customs of Hindu life. HUM is a student run society, which does not affiliate itself, nor promote the agenda of any political party. http://www.oxfordhumsoc.com/

The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS) is a Recognised Independent Centre of Oxford University. It is an academic centre for the study of Hindu culture through a comprehensive programme of education, publishing, and research. The OCHS offers courses in Hinduism for the general public through its Continuing Education Department. It is also the home of the Hindu Chaplaincy to Oxford University. http://www.ochs.org.uk

The Hindu Chaplaincy, is housed at the OCHS, and works in cooperation with HUM, the Young Jains Students Oxford, the OHTCCP, and Guru Kripa Kshetra. The Chaplaincy encourages meetings and discussions among students, and provides pastoral care in areas of spiritual and cultural concern. [email protected]

Islam information

The Oxford University Islamic Society serves as the focal point for both Muslim students and staff and those wanting to find out more about Islam in Oxford. We have an open and diverse membership and have a reputation for being amongst the university’s most vibrant and active societies.There are plenty of religious and non-religious weekly activities, from Friday prayer (during term time) and special guest speakers, to football and dinner parties. To join the mailing list and stay informed of future and ongoing events, and general information for freshers/new academics, see: www.facebook.com/ouisoc

Muslim students and staff at Oxford University have their own dedicated prayer space. The prayer space is located in the University’s Robert Hooke building, Parks Road. If you aren't a member of OUIsoc, and wish to register for access please contact the Islamic Society via their Facebook page www.facebook.com/ouisoc.

The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OxCIS) provides a meeting point between the Islamic and Western worlds of learning. Through good scholarship it promotes a more informed understanding of Islam - its culture and civilisation. The Centre is committed to the advancement of academic excellence in teaching, research and publication. Its outreach activities sustain dialogue and promote mutual understanding at national and international levels. The centre is a Recognised Independent Centre of the University of Oxford. It was established in 1985 to encourage the scholarly study of Islam and the Islamic world. HRH The Prince of Wales is the Patron of the Centre. It is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of scholars and statesmen from different parts of the world, alongside representatives of the University of Oxford.

The Centre provides a meeting point for the Western and Islamic worlds of learning. At Oxford it contributes to the multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary study of the Islamic world. Beyond Oxford, its role is strengthened by a developing international network of academic contacts. The work of the Centre has attracted global attention and widespread support. The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies regularly hold Lectures, Seminars and Classes on topics pertaining to Islamic knowledge. For more information see: http://www.oxcis.ac.uk/

For a list of mosques in Oxford see: http://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/guide/religion/religion.html

Jewish information

The Oxford University Jewish Society is the representative body for Jewish students for both the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes. We aim to cater for the religious, cultural and social requirements of our members. For more information see:http://www.oxfordjsoc.co.uk/

There is a Oxford Jewish Chaplaincy for all Jewish students. This year is led by Rabbi Michael Rosenfeld-Schueler & Tracey Rosenfeld-Schueler. For information about the Oxford Jewish Chaplaincy for both Oxford and Oxford Brookes students please see: mychaplaincy.co.uk/?q=regions/oxford

In addition students are also welcome to contact the Chabad Society. Oxford Chabad Society is a registered Society at the University of Oxford. The Society is associated to the Oxford Chabad House and has an active student representation. The Chabad Society hosts high profile national and international guest speakers during university terms and holds open Shabbat dinners every Friday night at no charge to Oxford students. For more information see: http://www.oxfordchabad.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/302282/jewish/Oxford-Chabad-Soc.htm

The Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies is a Recognized Independent Centre of the University of Oxford. Its mission is to provide an outstanding curriculum of Hebrew and Jewish studies at one of the world’s leading universities and to promote knowledge and understanding about Jewish history, religion, and culture, as well as about Jewish interactions with and contributions to other cultures. Fro more information see: http://www.ochjs.ac.uk/

The Latter-day Saint Student Association

The Latter-day Saint Student Association (LDSSA) aims to provide students with a framework for a Christ-centered spiritual life during their time at Oxford. It is an officially registered Oxford University student society, and is run in coordination with the Reading Stake Young Single Adult (YSA) programme. For more information please visit: http://oxfordldssa.org.uk/

Oxford Methodists

The churches known collectively as the Oxford Methodist Circuit are to be found in Oxford city, the suburb of Blackbird Leys, the town of Woodstock and in the villages of Bladon, Tackley, Combe, Kidlington, Murcott, Horspath and Kennington. The circuit shares five ordained ministers, five active retired ministers, four lay workers, over twenty-five local preachers (lay people who have done a course of theological and practical training) and a large body of volunteer lay people in organisation and administration. It is divided up into three mission partnerships which each share a ministry team and work closely together. Visitors and new members are always welcome in all the churches! For more information see: http://oxfordmethodists.org.uk/

Oxford Inter-collegiate Christian Union (OICCU)

The Oxford Inter-Collegiate Christian Union (OICCU) is made up of a large number of groups from all the different colleges in Oxford. Together, we aim to be a united student community to present the claims of Jesus Christ to the University.

The College Groups section contains information about the Christian Unions found in each college. These groups are led by OICCU reps and although each of them is different, most have prayer meetings and social events, as well as meetings every alternate week. All the college CUs meet together fortnightly at the Wesley Memorial Church for our central meetings. For more information see: http://www.oiccu.org.uk/

Oxford Unitarians

Oxford Unitarians meet every Sunday from 11 am to 12 noon in the chapel of Harris Manchester College in Mansfield Road, central Oxford (OX1 3TD). They welcome members of the public and the university, of all faiths and denominations or none. Their religious faith does not require adherence to a fixed creed. They believe that religion is wider than any one sect, and deeper than any one set of opinions. They find a basis for unity in a shared search for truth, reverence for life, and a mutual respect for sincerely held beliefs. Everyone is welcome, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, or sexual orientation. The Oxford Unitarians aspire to be a caring religious community in which they value people for their diversity and encourage freedom of thought and spiritual exploration. Their motto is inscribed in the stained-glass windows of the chapel: Elargissez Dieu! - a quotation from Diderot, roughly translated as Set God free! or Broaden your concept of God! For more information, please visit their website: www.ukunitarians.org.uk/oxford.

Quakers

The central focus of Quaker spirituality is on our experience. We have no creed and there is no expectation of any particular belief. We do share values and practices that are important to us: in particular our religious practice based on waiting in stillness; listening to each other and to what we call the inner light. We seek to respond to that of God in everyone, although we may have widely differing understandings of what "God" means. Quakers also share a commitment to our testimony to peace, truth, equality, simplicity and sustainability. Quaker testimony is not just about holding these values to be important; it is about a way of living our lives and of acting in the world.

Information on the Oxford Quakers and their meetings can be found here: http://www.oxfordquakers.org/

Sikh Information

For information on where to worship see: http://www.oxfordsikhs.com/default.aspx

First Sunday

First Sunday is fellowship for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or questioning their sexuality (LGBTQ). They meet at St Columba's United Reformed Church in Oxford, UK, on the first Sunday of the month. You don't have to be LGBTQ or a Christian to come along. Explore who you are, explore Christianity, make friends over coffee, chill out, and make deep conversation.

Faith societies, belief groups, or religious centres within Oxford University