Copyright

© 1999-2009  

Lancaster University Chaplaincy Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW

The BBC Religious Calendar can be found here

www.chaplancs.org.uk

Lancaster University  

Chaplaincy Centre

Tel 01524 594071

Email admin[a]chaplancs.org.uk (replace [a] with @)

 chaplains

Hello, I am Sr. Ella, the granny-figure at the Chaplaincy. I belong to a very large Religious Order called the Salesian Sisters (more>) It has houses all over the world. Our focus of work always concerns young people.

I have taught various age-groups in very different areas; some privileged and some deprived. For many years I was involved in the training of the young women preparing to become Sisters themselves.

Much of my youth work has been in informal education: running residential experiences for young people, organising activities for after-school and holidays. For several years I ran a hostel for homeless girls in my native Scotland. Before coming to Lancaster I was a School Counsellor and Chaplain in a large Comprehensive school in London where we had forty five languages!

Working as a member of the Chaplaincy Team here at Lancaster is a varied experience. On one evening a few weeks ago I, a Catholic Nun, went from a lecture at the Islamic Society, to pop in to say Hello'to Cathsoc. From there I joined the 'Christian Fellowship'. The Hindu Society was meeting in the Jewish Lounge so I ended the evening with them!

Yes, the Chaplaincy certainly is a multi-faith centre and a multi-ethnic one as well. I hope you too will come along, I'd be delighted to welcome you; a grandmother can never have too many grandchildren!

It is quite a surprise to find myself back at Lancaster University after an absence of 30 years. If someone had suggested to me then that I might return as a chaplain I would have looked at them in disbelief as the priesthood was about as far from my intentions then as anything could be. After leaving university, which I thoroughly enjoyed, with a degree in History, I trained as a solicitor, but not with any great enthusiasm, I must admit. I was not sure what I wanted to do. After working in London for six years, it was a great relief to give it up and I then worked with the Social Care Unit of St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square, which works with people living rough or who are alone in London. These three years were a great experience, both because of our 'clients' and the other members of staff. While working there the idea of the priesthood began to germinate, somewhat late perhaps, and after some time I went off to Rome to study for six years before being ordained in 1997. Since then I have been working in parishes in Carlisle and Preston.

I'm Jim, one of the Assistant Catholic Chaplains. I'm also Permanent Deacon at St Peter's Cathedral here in Lancaster.

I joined the Chaplaincy Team at the start of the 2004/5 academic year. My background is in education. Having taught in secondary schools in Lancashire and Yorkshire I first joined Lancaster University in 1970 and worked for some 30 years in the office for the Associated Institutions (that's the department which looks after the University's relationships with its partner institutions, including St Martin's College in Lancaster). When I took early retirement some five years ago I was also Principal of one of the colleges here on the Bailrigg campus.

Outside involvements are mainly with various NHS bodies in the region (especially services for older people). I'm also secretary of the local Alzheimer's Society Branch.

Cultural interests revolve around museums and art galleries (I've a particular interest in the Golden Age of the Dutch Republic). Musical tastes I have to confess are narrowly classical (Haydn and Mozart are my favourites). If you don't manage to find me in the Chaplaincy Centre you'd do well to check in the Sports Centre where I'm a regular in the Weights Room and at circuit training.

Hi! I'm Steve, the Methodist Chaplain. I'm married to Jennie, and we have 2 children Hannah (12) and Peter (9) and we've lived in Lancaster since 2003. As a family, we enjoy walking and cycling – exploring Cumbria and the countryside around the Bowland Forest, and other areas around Lancaster.

I'm mad about music! I'm nearly always listening to music - I have quite a varied taste - Coldplay, Moby, Fat Boy Slim, U2, Daniel Bedingfield, Dido, Erasure and the Pet Shop Boys to name a few! I also enjoy playing music - the guitar, trumpet, Djembe drum and sometimes keyboards. I enjoy going to the cinema and watching videos. I also love playing football (even though, unfortunately, my ability does not reflect my enthusiasm!), I also enjoy running.

I'm very interested in being creative with multi-media - particularly making digital videos - so I spend quite a bit of time at the computer playing with images and music (mainly for use in worship). I've been creating Alternative Worship services for quite a few years, and it has been great to use some of my skills in multi-media for events that we've held at the chaplaincy. In the last few years I've created and led U2 Eucharists and Coldplay Communions and also been involved with a variety of 'installation' type alternative worship services.

I've been very influenced by the work of the Iona Community, their development of contemporary and relevant worship material and their involvement in campaigns for justice and peace; Jennie (my wife) and I are Associate Members of the Iona Community. I look for opportunities to share this commitment to justice through campaigning and awareness raising on campus and in the local community. We've managed some quite unusual events, massive ice-cubes, die-ins, being chained to pillars, for some reason I have been accused of being nuts – who knows what we'll get up to next! If you're into doing crazy stuff to raise awareness of justice issues come and have a chat.

Having trained in Architecture and Environmental Design (before becoming a Methodist Minister), I am also very interested in environmental issues and how we can reduce the damage that we do through the buildings we live in, and the way that we live – a few years ago we installed Solar Water Heating at our house! I'm really committed to exploring how we can live more sustainably and care more responsibly for the creation that God has asked us to look after. A group of us are planning to go to Copenhagen for the climate change talks in December – let me know ASAP if you're interested in coming.

I'm passionate about the Good News of God's love shown to us in Jesus Christ. I enjoy the creative opportunity of planning worship, which enables us to explore God's love for us and then helps us to offer our response to God.

I started work in Lancaster in May 2001, before that I was based in central London as Regional Manager for Uganda and Sudan in the Church Mission Society (CMS). This meant making regular trips into Africa, to visit churches, projects and personnel.

I'm really enjoying the work of the Chaplaincy. It is good to be part of an ecumenical team. My interests include walking in the hills, of which there are plenty around here, and playing music.In my work in different parts of the world, and through my training I have enjoyed meeting and discussing faith issues with people of other faiths.

The Chaplaincy is a great place to explore the issues that unite and those that divide us in a friendly environment. I am married to Trixi (short for Beatrix) who is a Music and German teacher by background. She is currently at home looking after our two boys, Ben (11 years) and Tobi (9 years). Trixi is German and Ben and Tobi are bilingual - their German is already far better than mine! You will find my study on the first floor of the Chaplaincy Centre, just inside the Anglican Flat.

Kevin Huggett

Anglican

Email anglican[a]chaplancs.org.uk

Ella Flynn

Catholic

Email e.flynn[a]lancs.ac.uk

Hugh Pollock

Catholic

Email catholic[a]chaplancs.org.uk

Steve Charman

Methodist

Email methodist[a]chaplancs.org.uk

Jim Wood

Catholic

Email j.wood[a]lancs.ac.uk

Please replace [a] in email addresses with @