We are drawing to the end the assessment season – well done everyone. It has been good to hear from so many of you.
And now the summer beckons – but it’s a summer with a difference – holiday plans disrupted and, for some, continuing lockdown. And still the uncertainty – will there be another peak? And what is happening next term? Bernie Morley, Deputy VC has talked about the possibility of blended learning - a mix of online lectures, and campus life and tutorials. There is so much we still do not know.
SO, we are keeping up an active programme. You are part of the chaplaincy community and we have really valued the new bridges and links we have made, with students and staff (we had post-grad from New York join morning prayer yesterday). We will keep building. God is the one constant in a world of uncertainty and many people are looking at the hope of faith. At a time when surveys show many people turning to prayer, today we hear again Peter’s encouragement:
“In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, but do this with gentleness and respect… .”
For June and July, we are going to do the following:
University of Bath Chaplaincy Facebook page. This has all our lockdown material (including the Easter videos) and signposts to other sites. We will start the week with a “verse for the week – to inspire and encourage”. This will replace the question (to be furloughed until the autumn). We will continue to publish weekly video thoughts (Wednesday) and blogs (Thursday).
Daily morning prayer (Common Worship liturgy) – on Zoom - 9am – Monday to Friday – email Nigel if you want an invite (n.rawlinson@bath.ac.uk)
Monday lunchtime 1.15pm – service of the Word (25 minutes) – on Zoom - email Nigel if you want an invite (n.rawlinson@bath.ac.uk)
Continuing community outreach work - Karen will continue her work in Oldfield park linking in with residents – check in with Karen (kt603@bath.ac.uk) for a cake. Or refer a hungry friend!
Walk and talk – the chaplains are delighted to arrange to meet up – email Nigel or Karen
We are looking ahead to the next academic year. How will we look in September? Watch this space. I am drawing up plans for a socially distanced chaplaincy – open for prayer from July, I hope.
Let us be encouraged!
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came. Those with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. Peter said: “Can anyone keep these people from being baptised with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have”. So they were baptised in the name of Jesus Christ.Paul writes: For we were all baptised by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink (Acts 10: 44-, 1 Cor 12: 13)
Nigel
Respond