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‘May Dip – the After Party’

Greetings, on a Rest Day for the University, which ordinarily would see thousands of students taking part in the May Dip. But not this year, a huge pity for so many. Nevertheless, I thought I’d greet the morning with…

‘Afterlife after death?’

Hello, This evening the final meeting of Thinking Allowed for the year will take place. This is a discussion group attended mainly by students but sometimes by staff which explores issues in faith and society. For the…

‘Corona in Uganda’

Greetings, On Sunday I got an email from friends in Uganda.  I’d asked them how things were going for them.  They replied that they are fairly OK, still under lockdown, and keeping themselves busy in their small…

‘A minute’s silence’

Good morning, Later today, at 11 am (BST), a minute’s silence will be held across the UK to commemorate key workers who have died with coronavirus.  More than 100 NHS and care staff have died with the virus, as have…

‘The little things’

Dear Friends Welcome to Monday’s Companionship Email. …it’s the little things At the beginning of a fresh new week in Lockdown Land and at the start of Revision Week in our Semester, I have been considering priorities.…

‘Prayers at the gate’

Greetings, on Sunday morning.  A new week begins.  In common with all public buildings, churches are closed, and services are not taking place within their walls.  But some are still offering a physical location for…

‘It’s okay not to be okay’

Greetings, A few days ago I was walking along the path above the East Sands and saw this plaque on a bench: It piqued my curiosity.  I had a look online and it seems to be part of a mental health and suicide prevention…

‘A teacher’s wisdom’

Good morning, This is the last day of the last teaching week of the Candlemas Semester for undergraduates. A semester which began on Monday 27 January has finally, wearily, reached this point. Two weeks of revision…

‘Ramadhan in isolation’

Dear Friends Ramadhan begins in much of the world today Thursday 23 April. We have asked Saira Rafiq, President of the St Andrews Muslim Students Association (STAMSA) to share her reflections on the fast this year. She…

‘The machine’

Dear Friends Today’s offering for our Companionship email comes from one of our Quaker Honorary Chaplains, Leslie Stevenson: Earlier in this lockdown, I read a story by E. M. Forster entitled “The Machine Stops”.…