Oasis Diary: Autumn 2023

August has raced by, and with the start of the new academic year in September comes the start (and the return!) of a number of Oasis’ regular events. This term also sees a number of standalone events that you might want to get in the diary nice and early to make sure you don’t miss them!

Key details for both kinds are below — all events take place at the Oasis building on South Street, Harborne (B17 0DB), unless otherwise stated.

Quick Guide

Mondays: Stay & Play, Monday Night Football
Wednesdays: The Hub, Oasis Café, The Gathering (Fortnightly)
Thursdays: English Conversation Classes
Fridays: Engage Youth (Fortnightly)
Sundays: Morning Meetings, Choir, Bring & Share Lunches (Monthly), Evening Meetings

Regular Events

Stay & Play

Restarting Monday 11th September | 10am-11:30am | Every Monday (term-time only)
A welcoming environment for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers that encourages fun, exploration, safety, belonging and community! It’s £1 per child, but there’s no need to book — just turn up to come and have some fun!

Monday Night Football

7:15pm-9pm | Every Monday | Holders Lane Playing Fields
For those who are passionate about football, where the guiding principle is ‘Play Hard, Play Fair’. There’s no minimum skill level or experience required, and all are welcome from 7:15pm for a 7:30pm kick-off at the Holders Lane Playing Fields in Moseley.

The Hub

9:30am-4:30pm | Every Wednesday
South Street is open every Wednesday for ‘The Hub’ — coworking space open to all with desks, power, Wi-Fi and free hot drinks available throughout the day. If you usually work from home but fancy changing your environment, connecting with others, and enjoying working in a beautiful historic space, come and join in! Find out more and sign up to book a desk via the ‘Events’ section of the Oasis Website.

In November, ‘The Hub’ will expand to include a Warm Welcome Space element, providing somewhere for those struggling with isolation or the cost of living to come and hang out during the day.

Oasis Café

11am-12:30pm | Every Wednesday
A place to pause in the middle of the week — an opportunity to come and get a drink and some pastries, and to enjoy an open time to chat and connect with others. No pressure, no charge, all welcome!

The Gathering

7:30pm-9pm | Alternate Wednesdays
A flexible space to gather, worship and pray together — to be responsive to what God is doing amongst the Oasis community, and to keep seeking Him with thanksgiving for more of His presence, provision and protection.

NEW >>> English Conversation Classes

Starting Thursday 14th September | 10am-11:30am | Every Thursday
Launching in September 2023, this is an opportunity for anyone who would like to practice their conversational English to gather with others and learn together. Each session follows a lesson plan to work through in groups, giving everyone a chance to grow in understanding. The majority of attendees are likely to be from a Chinese or Hong Konger background, but the group is open to anyone looking to improve their conversational English, and there’s no need to sign up — just come along!

Sunday Evening Meetings

Restarting Sunday 17th September | 6pm-7pm | Every Sunday
Evening meetings at Oasis provide a moment to connect with God and one another in a variety of ways — including helping us each to build a regular rhythm of practices that will do us good. They run on a rotating four week pattern: first a time of extended worship and encounter, then the following week a time to pray and seek God together, then a more reflective communion service, and finally a community meal to share.

NEW >>> Bring & Share Lunches

Starting Sunday 24th September | 12:30pm | Last Sunday of every Month
Gathering to share food together is a practice common to all kinds of different cultures around the world — there’s just something about it that opens up conversations, deepens relationships and brings people together. This term, Oasis is starting a new Bring & Share lunch on the last Sunday of every month, inviting anyone who wants to join in to bring some food to share with others as the community sits and eats together. Find more details, including a guide for preparing food to bring, via the ‘Events’ section of the Oasis Website.

Oasis Choir

Starting Sunday 17th September | 12:30pm | Sundays (with some Fridays)
The Oasis Christmas Choir is back! Rehearsals start in September to allow plenty of time to prepare at a relaxed pace, ready to sing in the fabulous Oasis Carol Service, this year in the evening of Sunday 17th December. The majority of rehearsals will be held on Sundays, straight after the morning meeting, and there’ll be a few on a Friday night instead. No previous choir experience required, just a joy of singing! If you’d like to be part of this, email becca@theoasischurch.com or speak to Becca Blaber on a Sunday.

Standalone Events

Birthday Sunday

Sunday 1st October | 10:30am-2:30pm
Every year, Oasis takes a day to celebrate our birthday — this year, we’re turning 24! This is an opportunity to look back on and celebrate all that God has done both over the past year and across our history. Along with worship and teaching, we’ll also be celebrating baptisms together, and then there’s a free buffet lunch after the service along with inflatables and games for the kids. If you can, please do bring a cake or something sweet to share as pudding!

The Orchard: Women’s Conference

Saturday 7th October | 9:45am-8:30pm | The ICC, Centenary Square
A number of women from Oasis are planning to head to The Orchard Women’s Conference at the ICC for a day of encouragement, worship and connection. Find out more and book tickets via The Orchard Website, or contact admin@theoasischurch.com for more information.

‘Rooted’ Day with Wendy Mann

Saturday 21st October | 10am-5:30pm
Rooted:Birmingham is for anyone aged 18–35 who wants to grow in their relationship with God. The aim is to be equipped with tools to use in your own relationship with God and as you disciple others, along with leaving plenty of space for the Holy Spirit to move. Find out more and buy tickets by clicking here, or contact richard@theoasischurch.com if you’d be interested in serving on the day to help everything run smoothly.

Christmas Plans

Too soon? Never! This year’s Nativity Who? all age service will be on Sunday 17th December at 10:30am (so there’s plenty of time to start working on your costumes!), with the Evening Carol Service happening later that same day (time to be confirmed). On Sunday 24th December, there’ll be a short, family-friendly Christingle Service in the morning and a more reflective Christmas Communion service in the early evening, before we gather all together on the morning of Christmas Day itself.