‘Graduations, services and dancing in the Quad!’
Good evening,
I’m just sending this out quickly following a fine Fireside Chat with Dr Fiona Hill, exploring a Co. Durham upbringing, education in St Andrews, Putin’s Russia, and teamwork in the White House among other topics. Fascinating.
It’s been quite a season of graduations – 16 ceremonies completed, a mere ten to go – including three tomorrow. That means that the Service of Thanksgiving for Graduation tomorrow (Friday 24 June) will begin at 8.30 am. It’s an early start but promises to be a lovely occasion, with music from St Salvator’s Chapel Choir by Thomas Weelkes, and a sermon from Revd Steve Day, the father of graduate Teddy Day who sang often as a member of St Salvator’s Chapel Choir.
The services each day have been moving and inspiring at times – all are welcome whether graduating, supporting a graduate, or simply wanting to be part of the day. Here are details of next week’s services, with Chapel Choir at them all:
Monday 27 June, 8.30 am: preacher – Revd Dr Jared Michelson, on Gaining the World without Losing your Soul
Tuesday 28 June, 9.30 am: preacher – me, on Something to believe in
Wednesday 29 June, 9.30 am: preacher – Revd Jane Barron, on 42: The Ultimate Answer to the Ultimate Question.
Tuesday next week will also see the conferring of an honorary degree on King Creosote – with a laureation from his huge fan, the University of St Andrews Chaplain. For a taste of the musician’s genius, here is his song Something to believe in, from the film From Scotland with Love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGFnClH0E94
The joy each day has been palpable, of degrees recognised, the constraints of Covid gone through, and friends reunited. Here’s me celebrating today with Sophie Tyler, MA 2020, by dancing a cha-cha in the Quad.
Yours,
Donald.
Revd Dr Donald MacEwan
Chaplain