Post date: 23-Nov-2009 13:47:23
I first became aware of the University's Chaplaincy when a curious bunch of individuals started coming to the pub quiz. There didn't appear to be anything that linked the people in the team unlike most student teams (same course, same flat in halls, same interests). Intrigued by this I asked them how they knew each other (no points on offer) and discovered that they were all "Chaplaincy groupies". People from various walks of life, with various interests and variable amounts of faith, drawn together in friendship by the Chaplaincy and the Chaplain himself.
After the "groupies" had been attending the quiz for a while, I was impressed that the Chaplain himself came to check that I wasn't teaching his flock anything that they shouldn't be taught. He went on to explain what he did and what the role of the Chaplaincy is.
Three years later and I cannot overstate the good work that he does for the students of the University. I have visited the Chaplaincy a few times and seen the sense of community and belonging which it inspires. I have seen the help and support that Simon and the Chaplaincy have provided to people with all manner of serious problems, emotional and otherwise, which could not have been easily resolved by the Student Counselling Service.
I cannot comment on the faith side of the Chaplaincy as such, but I know that churches around the country have been pleased to welcome graduate "groupies" who appear to become fairly active members of their local churches. I suspect that the potential loss of future members of the church needs to be more carefully considered before removing the invaluable resource of Chaplain and Chaplaincy at Southampton or any other University. That, and Simon appears to be providing a terrific service for the current student intake and his loss will leave a hole in their lives and the community of the University.