At the end of Hilary Term, I left Christ Church to become a parish vicar after just over eight very happy years as College Chaplain and Welfare Coordinator. One thing is certain – there has never been a dull moment in this post! Some highlights of my time include travelling to Calais to work in the refugee ‘jungle’, charity sleepouts in the Cathedral, chapel retreats to Hilfield Friary and the Taizé community in France, candlelit services in Binsey Church, pancake races around Tom Quad, and staff sports days playing rounders against Trinity College, Cambridge. I have also had the privilege of sharing significant life moments by officiating at so many alumni weddings, baptisms and funerals over the years.

Alongside these significant events, much of my role has involved meeting interesting students over cups of tea and cake with my weekly ‘Brain Strain teas’, dining at glorious dinners, supporting students and staff through the struggles of life, and leading services in the Chapel/Cathedral. I have been humbled at the ways in which students and staff have trusted me with their problems and concerns, and hope that I have been able to have been some support and encouragement along the way.

My role has changed significantly since I began in 2015, with the welfare element of the job becoming increasingly demanding with a marked increase in mental health issues amongst students, and so the College have taken the wise decision to split the role into two full time positions. When I arrived the welfare team was just myself, a nurse and a couple of welfare tutors, but now we have a full team with a counsellor, academic support team, and three wardens who provide out of hours support. I have no doubt a new Welfare Manager will build up this team and that the welfare support in Christ Church will continue to be outstanding.

The Chapel community continues to thrive, and I have enjoyed the weekly College Communion services, late night candlelit services, and seeing the College Choir go from strength to strength. We are looking to create a multi-faith prayer space and develop the provision for students of all faiths, and I’m sure the next College Chaplain will see this into fruition.

I will be moving into my new role just up the river to be Vicar of St Mary’s Church which covers Iffley, Rose Hill and Donnington. It will be a big change, but I’m delighted that Christ Church are the patrons of the parish, so the connection will remain.

I will take with me many happy memories of my years at Christ Church, and hope to stay in touch.