Dear Editor,
Many readers will have been moved by the news (en, February) of Oxford’s North Gate Hall being acquired by the Oxford Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Moved, that is, to thanksgiving and prayer, mixed in with a good dose of nostalgia among former Christian Union (OICCU) members, whose student years were so enriched by weekly and daily events in that familiar building.
There may be other (younger!) former members who keep in touch. I for one belong to those 80–85 year olds whose memories go back 60 years and who still share an annual Newsletter. Our latest version, dated February 2023, has 20 entries, including some ‘doubles’ where a spouse also features.
We have all been cheered and often stirred by regular updates, highs and lows, of present-day gospel work. And now by such news as this, as we pray with thanksgiving that God will guide and prosper the OEPC on this almost-hallowed ground, and all the service and outreach which it makes possible. Dominus Illuminatio Mea as the University motto has it, from Psalm 27.
Yours sincerely,
Christopher Idle (St Peter’s 1959–62) London
