Dates for your diary
Greetings,
How’s the heat where you are? It’s been hot and dry here most of the time, with genuine pool parties at Castle Sands, and, more seriously, a fire in a field near the Fairmont Hotel on Thursday. It all points to the immense importance of climate change, and of what we can do. Environmental engagement will be an ever-stronger focus of the Chaplaincy.
Meanwhile, we have been busy preparing for the new academic year, laying out dates for services, discussion groups, Orientation Week events and more. In between weddings, baptisms and supporting students and staff, I’ve squeezed in a few games of golf on the fast-running links, and a day in Edinburgh at the festival and fringe. The highlight was a fringe production of Intelligence, a fine play brilliantly acted by three women exploring some of the moral dilemmas involved in international relations, such as when is it okay to negotiate with people who do some very bad things. See https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=intelligence
A few weeks ago, I took part in a podcast recording about traditions in the University alongside Juan Pablo the Students Association President. You will find the episode here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/4v9dBQqseDWmffawXwBYUR
It’s part of a whole series of podcasts called This Life St Andrews, produced by Student Services for students soon to arrive, and for anyone else who is curious. You’ll find the series on spotify.
While I’m writing, I thought I’d let you know of some .
Saturday 3 September – halls of residence open for many students, and chaplains will be there to welcome new arrivals, and comfort family members depositing new students here.
Sunday 4 September, Service of Welcome – St Salvator’s Chapel, North Street at 11am. A service of welcome for new and returning students, friends and family members, colleagues and the community, with music from St Salvator’s Chapel Choir. I’ll be preaching, on “Five hundred, twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes.” Followed by the Pier Walk. Gowns welcome but not essential.
All Welcome.
Monday 5 – Friday 9 September 2022 Morning Prayer for Freshers’ Week
A short service of Morning Prayer will take place in St Salvator’s Chapel, North Street between 8.45am and 8.55am. Come along and join one of our Chaplains for prayers, followed by coffee. A lovely way to start your day! All welcome.
Wednesday 7 September, Freshers’ Faith Fayre, 12 – 3 pm, Chaplaincy Lochnagar room, 3 St Mary’s Place (opposite Students Union).
At stalls people can meet representatives from our many faith societies and groups, and our team of chaplains, to ask questions, find out about upcoming events and enjoy a light refreshment. All welcome.
Thursday 8 September, Postgraduate Walking Tour, 11am (lunch afterwards from 1 – 2pm) Meet at Mansefield building, Chaplaincy, 3 St Mary’s Place (opposite Students Union). Join me on a tour of the sacred places and churches around St Andrews. Followed by lunch in the Chaplaincy.
Sunday 11 September, Opening Service – St Salvator’s Chapel, North Street at 11am. A special service to mark the opening of the new semester with prayers led by the Revd Samantha Ferguson, Assistant Chaplain, and music from St Salvator’s Chapel Choir. I’ll be preaching, on “Mister Cellophane”. Followed by the Pier Walk. Gowns welcome but not essential.
All Welcome.
Wednesday 14 September, 5.30 pm, St Salvator’s Chapel. First Evensong. All welcome.
Wednesday 14 September Interfaith Discussion Panel – time and venue to be confirmed
This year I will have a role as Convener of the Historic Churches Working Group in the Church of Scotland’s Fife Presbytery. Our first meeting was on Thursday in Markinch Church. The minister showed us a memorial stone to one of his eighteenth century predecessors, Revd John Pinkerton:
If you look closely, you can read some specific information, as follows:
After having spent a very Chearfull evening at Balfour House with Mr Bethune and his Family, he was found in the morning in his bed room sitting in a Chair by the Fire place with one stocking in his hand Quite Dead.
There are worse ways to go, but it seems a little odd to have the details laid out in perpetuity on the walls of the church.
Finally, I’ll be taking some leave over the next fortnight, and will be attending the once-a-decade Passion Play at Oberammergau in Bavaria. I’m greatly looking forward to this, and will no doubt share something of it once home in a Companionship email or two. The Chaplaincy remains well and truly open while I’m off duty, with Sam available for students and staff, Tracy and Linda getting ready for the new semester, and Plum, our intern, continuing to digitise a stuffed shoe box of spiritual quotations.
Take care, especially when you have one stocking in your hand…
Yours,
Donald.