John and Phyll Chesworth
Home: 34 Hengrove Close, Headington, Oxford
OX3 9LN Tel: 01865 765627
Office: The Song School, 109A Iffley Road, Oxford
OX4 1EH Tel: 01865 613440
[email protected]
February 2015
Dear Friends
It seems we are now experiencing ‘real’ winter weather. John, in Basel, Switzerland, this weekend tells of
snow showers, but despite the bitter cold, Oxford is still snow-free at the time of writing.
Over Christmas we were able to meet up with all our sisters and most of their families, including our
newest great nephew. It was poignant to be on our own on Christmas Day, the first year without any of
our parents and with no overseas visitors.
The Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies, Oxford
The Oxford term only started on 18 January, so the seminar programme is just getting underway. The
series title is ‘Muslim-Christian Relations in Historical Perspective’, leading up to the Annual Joint Lectures
on 3 March on ‘The History of Muslim-Christian Relations — What Relevance for Today?’. Professor Sidney
Griffith from America, who is a well-known speaker in his field, is paired for these lectures with Prof Ziad
Almarsafy, from the University of York. For further details, if you would like to attend, please see the
Centre website: www.cmcsoxford.org.uk
Christian-Muslim Relations: A Bibliographical History 1500-1900 (CMR1900)
Having recently received copies of Volume 6: Western Europe (1500-1600), published in December 2014
(http://www.brill.com/products/book/christian-muslim-relations-bibliographical-history) John and his
colleagues are now hard at work on the final stages of Volume 7: Eastern Europe, Middle East, Asia,
Africa and the Americas (1500-1600). These final stages always seem to take an inordinately long time,
with deadlines whizzing past! Work on the projected four volumes for the 17th century is well developed,
though the team is still looking for people to write on many works.
In addition to his project work, John has been asked to convene the second semester teaching of the
Introduction to Islam undergraduate class at Birmingham, due to the sickness of the regular lecturer.
Fortunately he does not have to teach all the classes himself, but does have eight teaching hours to fit
in to his schedule, in addition to supervising a number of students’ undergraduate dissertations.
Last week he spent three days in Bayreuth, examining a doctoral candidate and giving a seminar at
Bayreuth University on some of the findings from his research, focussing on encounters in Africa in the
16th century.
This weekend he is attending Procmura’s annual European Liaison Committee Meeting. John was
closely involved with Procmura (Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa) when we were in
Kenya, and maintains links with Johnson Mbillah, General Advisor, and the local staff.
Whist in Basel, he was briefed on the current
situation in the Sahel, as well as on that in Nigeria
and concerns were voiced over the elections to
be held there in mid-February.
Local news
The vicar at St Mary’s, our local church, is moving
on to another parish after just three years with us.
The resulting interregnum will mean more work for
the wardens and remaining ministry team - a
retired vicar, an Anglican nun, and John. Please
pray for the church during this period and for the
process of appointment of a new incumbent.
PROCMURA meeting in Basel
Thank you for your news and cards at Christmas. We are grateful for your ongoing prayer support.
At the start of this New Year, we invite you to join with us in this post-communion prayer:
“Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.”
With our love,
John and Phyll
Points for Prayer

For the work and finances of the Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies.

For wisdom for Christians being asked to comment on the recent events in Paris.

For the situation in Nigeria, particularly for peace during the February elections.

For St Mary’s Church, Headington and the ministry team at the start of an interregnum.
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