Spotlight on… The Chaplaincy
Students encounter the Chaplaincy in many different ways throughout their time at St Andrews. In this Spotlight feature, University Chaplain Revd Dr Donald MacEwanexplores the Chaplaincy’s role in supporting students, strengthening community and creating spaces for reflection across the University.
Many students are surprised, by the end of their degree, how often they’ve interacted with a chaplain. It could be bumping into one on the day they move into halls of residence, with a parent discreetly parked with the luggage. It could be sitting next to a chaplain at a beautiful candlelit chapel service. It could be over a cup of masala chai at a fundraising stall or in a chaplain’s office, discussing in confidence how to navigate fear, anxiety or heartbreak.
Students don’t have to be religious to be supported by chaplains. Although we are largely people of faith ourselves (I am a Church of Scotland minister), we support any student, regardless of faith or philosophy of life. They can come and talk about any issue that is troubling them, and they do. We offer time, a sympathetic ear, tea, coffee and chocolate biscuits to any student in need, helping them find new ways of thinking and new options to get through whatever they are facing. We also visit students who need to spend time in hospital.
Throughout the year, the Chaplaincy team hosts a number of student discussion groups. This semester, there is a Grief Group, which allows students who have experienced a loss to come together with others, put their feelings into words and find comfort in community. We also host Faith and Storytelling, largely for students for whom English is not their first language, helping them gain confidence in sharing stories from their lives alongside Bible narratives. Thinking Allowed is a group for exploring issues of faith and society, which I host alongside the friendly cats in the Chaplain’s House. The Ministry Discernment Group supports students who are considering a sense of calling.
Many students deepen their faith while at St Andrews. The Chaplaincy offers space to student-led groups including Buddhist Meditation, Jewish Society, the Pagan Society, the Queer Faith Community, Sikh Society, and the Muslim Students Association. We also promote interfaith engagement through groups and events. Our honorary chaplains are volunteers who offer their time to students, often sharing or teaching their own faith practices.
All of this takes place alongside worship in our two beautiful medieval chapels, St Salvator’s and St Leonard’s. Wonderful choral music from our student choirs enhances every ecumenical service, and many students come to find peace, reflect on scripture, and draw inspiration for their lives. Sunday morning worship is livestreamed, and all are welcome to watch. This semester will see packed services for Christmas, as students prepare for the winter break.
I love serving this ever-fascinating community. If there is anything I can do to help, don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected]. You can find out more about the Chaplaincy on our webpages, listen to our podcasts, or follow us on social media.
This article first appeared in LINK – the newsletter for members of our Family Programme.