‘Endings and beginnings’
Good morning,
It is the final teaching week of the semester, Week 11. Congratulations to students and all who have been involved in their teaching over this unusual Martinmas Semester, and have made it this far. Online lectures; physically distanced seminars, tutorials and labs; quarantining; click and collect from the Library; online conversations. Meanwhile, no parties, no Raisin, no Pier Walk, almost no society events, no concerts, plays or shows for real. Unusual, extraordinary, even – and yet so much has still happened – and remarkably so. Listening, watching, reading, thinking and writing; learning and growing; making friends and discovering the town; walking and more swimming in the North Sea (by others) I can ever remember; and lots and lots of Netflix. This is the age of the small screen. And of walking.
Let me take this chance to highlight the final opportunities this semester to take part in some Chaplaincy events, to which all are welcome
This afternoon (Tuesday 24 November) at 5.15 pm is the last Hearts of Light for now. A chance to stand in solidarity for 15 minutes with all affected by Covid worldwide. St Salvator’s Quad. No need to register.
Tomorrow, Wednesday 25 November, is the final Evensong of the semester. A service of readings and prayers spoken and sung by choral scholars, including an anthem by William Byrd. St Salvator’s Chapel, 5.30 pm, reserve your place at https://events.st-andrews.ac.uk/events/choral-evensong-40/
On Thursday 26 November, we will hold the last Compline this semester. This is a candlelit service of night prayer with music from St Leonard’s Chapel choristers and organ scholars. St Salvator’s Chapel, 10 pm, reserve your place at https://events.st-andrews.ac.uk/events/compline-29/
Earlier that evening (Thursday 26 November) will be the final Thinking Allowed of the semester, 8 pm on Teams. We’ll discuss these questions – Why is there so much suffering in nature – eg predation, extinction. Were human beings originally vegetarian? Click Join Microsoft Teams Meeting to join meeting.
Finally, I visited the newest part of the University yesterday, Walter Bower House, at the Eden Campus in Guardbridge. This is where roughly 400 colleagues will be working in areas from Planning to Human Resources, the Library to Health and Safety. Yesterday I met five or six people there on their very first day in their new workplace. Congratulations to everyone who has brought this to fruition in this of all years. Somehow it seemed appropriate to be there on a day of good news about another vaccine. As the semester draws to a close, the new emerges from its chrysalis.
Yours,
Donald.
Revd Dr Donald MacEwan
Chaplain