University Chaplain

Wed, Aug 11th 2021 at 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm

Donald McEwan explained his role

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At the meeting on 11 August via Zoom president Colin Mitchell welcomed the Rev Dr Donald MacEwan Chaplain to the University of St Andrews as the speaker. Donald was appointed in 2011 prior to which he was minister at St Monans, spent four years in Ireland and two years in Japan.

He explained his talk was about his work during the pandemic a time when all normal events were cancelled. His work involves pastoral care which is confidential and is on offer by his team to all university students and staff regardless of their faith or philosophy. The worries could be about work, health, relationships, bereavement, grief, isolation or anything at all. Normally people would be seen face to face but due to the pandemic this was no longer possible. Sometimes Donald explained he would go for a walk with individuals on the beach or along the Lade Braes to talk about their difficulties.

In addition he has responsibility for the Christian services in St Salvators Chapel a place which he clearly loves. Services have recently been livestreamed on YouTube and have been viewed by over 4,000 people as against the normal congregation of 900.

Whereas usually around 60 weddings a year take place in St Andrews last year Donald officiated at only 3 and he showed a picture of one which took place on the beach at Castle Sands with a very limited bridal party.

He talked about the Interfaith Steering Group and how it operates with students from a wide variety of faiths and also the daily emails he sends out to offer comfort.

Hamish Tait gave the vote of thanks for a fascination talk and offered admiration for the quality of work carried out by Donald and his team to a parish of 10,000 students and 3,000 staff.