Events and groups

• Orientation Week

  Service of Welcome
  Sunday 8 September, 11am - 12noon, St Salvator's Chapel
  with St Salvator's Chapel Choir and sermon by the Chaplain, Revd Dr Donald MacEwan.  Followed by Holy Communion and Pier Walk. Also livestreamed, link available on the University Worship webpage.

  Morning Prayers for Fresher's Week
  Monday 9 - Friday 13 September, 8:45-8:55am, followed by coffee.

  Freshers' Faith Fayre
  Wednesday 11 September, 12noon-3pm, Chaplaincy, 3 St Mary's Place
  A chance for new and returning students to meet chaplains and student faith societies.  Free lunch available.  All welcome.
  
  Postgraduate Walking Tour
  Thursday 12 September, 11am meet at Chaplaincy, 3 St Mary's Place
  Join the Chaplain, Revd Dr Donald MacEwan on a 2hr tour of the sacred places and churches around St Andrews, followed by lunch at the Chaplaincy at 1pm.

  Opening Service
  Sunday 15 September, 11am - 12noon, St Salvator's Chapel
  with St Salvator's Chapel Choir and sermon by the Chaplain, Revd Dr Donald MacEwan.  Followed by Holy Communion and Pier Walk. Also livestreamed, link available on the University Worship webpage.

   

• Chaplain's Conversations

  Discover more about the people of the University of St Andrews.  In conversation with the Chaplain, Donald MacEwan, key figures explore their path to the University, what inspires them in their research and their thoughts about the future of education.

  All events are free. The events at the Byre Theatre, in the top floor studio, are free but require tickets. You can get tickets online through the Byre Box Office or by phoning +44 (0)1334 47 5000.

  Wednesday 25 September 2024, 5:30 pm, Byre Theatre
  Dr Michael Downes, Director of Music, Music Centre

  In conversation with the Chaplain, Donald MacEwan, Michael Downes will discuss his path to the University, and his thoughts about the future of musical education.  He conducts orchestral and choral work, founded Byre Opera, and writes and lectures on music including the life and work of composers from Wagner to Elgar.  As Director of Music, he leads the Music Centre, and was instrumental in bringing the Laidlaw Music Centre into existence. 

  Wednesday 9 October 2024, 7:30 pm, St Salvator's Chapel
  Henry Cheape, local farmer and businessman

  In a conversation with the Chaplain, Donald MacEwan, local farmer and businessman Henry Cheape will share the story of his remarkable journey. He will discuss the inspiration behind his adventure and the factors that sustained him day and night rowing single-handedly across the Atlantic Ocean, in 49 days and arriving in Antigua in January 2024.

  Wednesday 19 February 2025, 5:30 pm, Byre Theatre
  Professor Silvia Paracchini, Professor of Neurogenetics and Genomics, School of Medicine

  In conversation with the Chaplain, Donald MacEwan, Professor Silvia Paracchini will discuss her path to the University, what inspires her research and thoughts about the future of education.  Professor Paracchini leads the Neurogenetics group who are interested in the genetic basis of complex cognitive and behavioural phenotypes using multidisciplinary approaches, including neurodevelopmental disorders, dyslexia and handedness.

  ---

   

• Faith and Storytelling

  Fiona, the Global Chaplain, invites you to her home to tell your stories, to listen to the stories of others and to reflect on stories from the Bible.  Students (of any faith or none) who wish to develop their English-speaking skills especially value these relaxed evenings.

  Held during term time only.
  

  Contact Fiona by email fvb@st-andrews.ac.uk for further information, including location.

• Grief Group

  Grief Group meetings are open to staff and students (with specific events for each) who are grieving.  It does not have to be a recent loss.  A safe place to share various aspects of grief over a free lunch offered at the Chaplaincy every month during semester.  Led by the Assistant Chaplain, Revd Samantha Ferguson, the Grief Groups provide a confidential support network to help lessen the isolation felt whilst living with grief, as well as normalise speaking about the death of family members, friends, peers and colleagues.  No one grieves alone at our university. 

  Monthly meetings take place in the Chaplaincy, Lochnagar room between 1 - 2 pm on the dates provided below.  A light lunch will be provided, or feel free to bring your own.  If you are interested in attending please email the Assistant Chaplain, Revd Samantha Ferguson, or contact the Chaplaincy for more information and provide your dietary requirements for the lunch.

  Staff Events
  

  • Thursday 19 September 2024
  • Thursday 10 October 2024
  • Thursday 14 November 2024
  • Thursday 19 December 2024
  • Thursday 23 January 2025
  • Thursday 20 February 2025
  • Thursday 20 March 2025
  • Thursday 17 April 2025
  • Thursday 15 May 2025
  • Thursday 19 June 2025
  • Thursday 14 August 2025

  Student Events

  • Thursday 26 September 2024
  • Thursday 17 October 2024
  • Thursday 21 November 2024
  • Thursday 12 December 2024
  • Thursday 30 January 2025
  • Thursday 27 February 2025
  • Thursday 27 March 2025
  • Thursday 24 April 2025

  Remembering Service
  Thursday 27 March 2025, 5:30 pm, St Salvator's Chapel
  This service is for those who are grieving the past or present loss of a loved one.  All are welcome regardless of faith and philosophy of life. Livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.  See Worship page for Livestream link on the day of the servivce

   

• Interfaith Encounters

  An interfaith discussion group for students to explore open ended interpretations of revered texts from all traditions.  Students select topics and share texts to see how different traditions respond to the same concerns.  Come along if you are interested in exploring the world’s religions in a thoughtful, open and questioning environment.  Led by Bill Shackman, Assistant Chaplain. 

  Fortnightly on Tuesdays, 7 - 9 pm, Chaplaincy, Lochanagar room
  Tuesday 17 September - 17 December 2024

• Ministry Discernment Group

  The ministry Discernment Group is for anyone who wants to explore a sense of call to ministry, in a relaxed setting, with others sharing a similar experience.
  
  7:30 - 9 pm, Chaplaincy, First Floor 

  For more information contact Revd Giles Dove, Assistant Chaplain.  
  E: gwd3@st-andrews.ac.uk 

  Wednesday 23 October	Prison Chaplaincy Ministry (Margaret Shuttleworth) This event is on Teams - please email Giles for invite.
  Wednesday 6 November	Armed Forces & School Chaplaincy Ministry (Duncan Weaver)
  Wednesday 27 November	Unity in diversity
  Wednesday 4 December	Lay Ministry at Christmas. Guests - Julie Torrance, Holy Trinity Church of Scotland; Jessica Lang, St Andrew's Episcopal Church.

• Thinking Allowed

  This discussion group is for anyone exploring questions around faith, regardless of your own faith or philosophy of life. 

  Contact the University Chaplain, Revd Dr Donald MacEwan, for further information.

  Weekly on Thursdays, 8 - 9:30 pm, Chaplaincy, Lochnagar room
  
  

  26 September        What is faith?  Is faith a placebo?

  3 October             What is our purpose as humans?  What is the meaning of life, to be a true 
                               self?  What does it mean to lead an authentic life?

  10 October           How do we know the scriptures are truly from God?
  How do we know the events in the Bible are true (specifically Jesus’ miracles and resurrection)?  Do we have accounts of these events from non-Christian sources?  What was happening in the years of Jesus’ life not recorded in the New Testament?

  17 October             In what sense do personal relationships still matter?

  24 October            Independent Learning Week – no meeting

  31 October            Hallowe’en  How to balance the urge to understand in science with accepting
                                the unknown?

  7 November          How does faith influence art?  How does contemporary popular culture
                                intersect with spirituality?

  14 November         Interfaith Week Scotland
  What is common to all religions?  Is one particular faith true?  How can we build a faith that suits us?  How do we make sure religious communities are nurturing and healthy?     

  21 November         How to balance head and heart? What is prayer? How to pray?

  28 November        How do we know the path we are on is the right one?  How do we think about
                                 what comes next?  Can we pause in life?

• Turning Pages

  Turning Pages, a group for staff, meeting monthly, to discuss readings mainly on faith. For more information contact Revd Donald MacEwan.

   

• Wellspring: a contemplative and creative prayer space

  A quiet space to explore prayer and connection with God through reading, reflecting, responding and contemplating. Each session will start with a short biblical introduction and then a quiet space to respond creatively to God through writing, through the media of art or by just engaging in silent prayer.  We will have the opportunity to explore different ways of finding a place of connection, inspiration and stillness with reference to various practices such lectio divina, celtic spirituality and prophetic creativity.

  A group led by honorary Pentecostal Chaplain, Revd Dr Jill Walker
  Mondays, 1:15 – 2 pm, Chaplaincy Lounge

  Sessions will take place on 

  September 23 and 30

  October 7 and 28

  November 11, 18 and 25

  December 2 and 9