Series 2 Episode 5 – Thinking about Scotland’s future through a spiritual lens
University Chaplain Revd Dr Donald MacEwan talks to Mike Gettinby about the role of the Chaplaincy in supporting students and staff and why he applied for funding for the annual Chaplaincy Prize.
As Chaplain to the University, Donald explains more about the role of the Chaplaincy, its assistant chaplains and voluntary chaplains, the opportunities it offers for worship, and the support it gives to staff and students of all faiths and none.
Donald said the Covid pandemic presented the team with one of its biggest challenges, in particular a marked rise in levels of uncertainty and anxiety amongst staff. As well as other University services offering support, Donald said the team prioritised trying to see people face-to-face where they could. This included walking sessions as was as support offered on Teams and over the phone.
Talking more about the Chaplaincy Prize itself, Donald explained the Chaplaincy wanted a way to recognise the achievements of students through the lens of faith and spirituality. Thanks to a donation, the Chaplaincy has been able to offer a prize during the last couple of years, with the theme for the first year being the environment and last year it was friendship.
Thanks to funding from Scotland’s Future Project, the Chaplaincy is now inviting applications – which can be in any form but must be thought about in terms of faith or spirituality – to be about Scotland’s future.
The closing date for applications is 5pm on Tuesday 31 January.