CHAP L A I NCY
R E VE R E ND S T E VE PA D F I E L D
T here has been much discussion recently over whether Britain is or isn’t a Christian country. David Cameron suggested it was, alluding to our rich Christian heritage and its basis for our tolerant society. Fifty leading academics said it wasn’t, claiming it would be divisive to call a nation like ours a country of a particular religion. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, broadly agreed with the Prime Minister, stating that our nation is one shaped and founded on Christianity. Lord Williams suggested we now live in a ‘post-Christian’ Britain. Whatever may be the case, our country is a diverse one, and when we are at our best we celebrate that diversity. We meet that diversity here at the College. People of faith and of no faith work together, discuss and share their views on life. Understanding the other is part of who we are and what we aspire to be. It is therefore a joy that the College continues to promote and develop a pastoral team, a Well- Being programme and, of course, a Chaplaincy. The Chaplaincy has continued to be involved in the life of the College this year, sometimes being a focal point in services such as Remembrance, and sometimes being on the side lines, encouraging the boys in their work and co- curricular activities and being a listening ear to those needing one. The College holds around 30 services a year, some of which take place in Christ’s Chapel where the Foundation began, and some which take place at the College. The year began by saying goodbye to our Foundation Chaplain, Dianna Gwilliams, who was installed as Dean of Guildford in September. Taking place on the same weekend, the OA Reunion was well attended. I spoke on Ecclesiasticus and reflected on what it is to leave a legacy, however large or small. We then continued with our normal round of Choral services, with some high-quality
singing and musical leadership from our choristers, director Mr Richard Mayo, organist Dr John Carnelley and organ scholar James Orford. The year included singing evensong at Westminster Cathedral and St Paul’s, with their excellent acoustics. The Michaelmas term ended with hearty carol singing at St Stephen’s, South Dulwich and with our whole- school Carol service at Southwark Cathedral. Visitors to the College included the Chief Executive of Christian Aid, Loretta Minghella OBE, and Bishop Jeremiah Kibobi and his wife Susan. They both spoke about the developing world and the need to find fulfilment in looking beyond our own needs and to the needs of others. Bishop Jeremiah runs the Magnet school in Nairobi for some 300 disadvantaged and orphaned children, and we are looking forward to taking a team of 16 boys out to work in the school in the summer of 2015. Confirmations took place in May and eight of our boys were confirmed by Bishop Michael of Woolwich. This was a very uplifting occasion for the 40 or so confirmands from our Deanery, and a real experience for our boys. We have also had several Roman Catholic boys confirmed in their local parishes and prepared by our visiting Catholic Chaplain Fr Tom Creagh-Fuller. In our wider College community, it was sad to say goodbye to Elizabeth Tatman, yet a blessing to welcome Elspeth Weatherall, Maxwell Tatman and Alfie Greenaway into the world through baptism. Looking forward, I am pleased to announce that the Chaplaincy will be expanding next year with the arrival of an Assistant Chaplain, Mr Jake Tasker, who is currently working for UCCF in Birmingham. He will be an excellent addition to the team, which also includes our Head of Well- Being Mrs Sarah Griffiths. We also look forward to the arrival of our new Foundation Chaplain and Vicar of St Barnabas, Revd John Watson.
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