From Fr. Tom
Over the past weeks, I have been reflecting on the things that have changed in our lives, especially the activities and celebrations that we once took for granted. Also, I have been marveling in how people and communities are adapting.

When I lived in Oxford, the May Day (1st May) celebrations were a tradition. Tens of thousands of people would gather before 6 AM to listen to the choir of Magdalen College sing the Hymnus Eucharisticus . This marked the start of the morning's dancing, music making and a bit of drinking. 

Though the choristers will be unable to sing in person this year from the tower of Magdalen College, the 500-year-old tradition of singing will continue via the internet. You can listen to the 2020 physically distanced version here .

This is the English translation of what will be sung:
We worship you, O God the Father,
we offer you our praise,
for you nourish our bodies,
and minds with heavenly grace.

We adore you, O Jesus,
you, the only begotten Son,
you, who did not disdain
to submit to birth in the Virgin's womb.




Driven onto the cross, you were made
the victim of God's wrath. [sic]
Through you, our only Saviour,
hope of life returned to us.

To you, Eternal Spirit
by whose breath was born
by Mary the Infant God,
be our eternal blessings.

Triune God, of all humanity
the great author of salvation,
this immense mystery
our tongues all cheer and sing.

Benjamin Rogers, 1614-1698
The hymn is a reflection of its time and the theological thought then, so it does include penal substitutionary atonement. Now is not the time for an essay on the doctrine of atonement, as that would distract us from the overarching aim of this hymn. That is, to sing praise and to remind us of the hope that we have in Jesus Christ.

This hope is unchanged in the face of all that we have endured and will endure. Yes, the world around us is constantly changing and will continue to change. But the love of God for each and every one of us is unchanging.

At Church our situation has changed and we are adapting. When I hear of all the acts of love and service that the community of St . Michael and St . George are carrying out, my ‘tongue cheers and sings’. I give thanks to God for your witness to the love of God that you have encountered.

God bless you all as we worship together, as we serve together and as we share God's love together. I am grateful to be part of a faith community that is able to love whatever challenges are put in front of it.

Tom +
  • Be sure to download the Sunday Morning Prayer service leaflet posted on the web so that you can participate in the liturgy. We join with one voice in the Worship of the living God. 

  • Be on the look out for a phone call from Church Receptionist Becky Arthur or other staff members, as we update our Realm directory.