Chaplaincy News - December 2021

              May I begin this news-sheet by wishing you all a very

                                  HAPPY CHRISTMAS

For weeks now our High Streets have been busy and the shops have been filled with all manner of Christmas paraphernalia. A plethora of popular Christmas tunes have been blaring out wherever you go, Whilst I have to confess that I do like a good sing-a-long whilst I'm shopping, there is so much on show that has very little to do with the true meaning and essence of Christmas.

For example, Germany is credited with introducing the Christmas tree tradition in the 16th century, Christmas cards only date back to the 1840s, and it was Henry VIII who made turkey popular as the traditional Christmas meal.

Whilst the music and food and present-giving make Christmas fun for family and friends. much of the true meaning of the season has, sadly, been left by the wayside. Christmas in its truest meaning is quite simply about the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. As a Christian, this season points me towards Easter and all that Jesus' life, death and resurrection means for each and every one of us.

No one knows the real birth date of Jesus and there are many theories why this date was chosen as Christmas Day. The very first record of Christmas being celebrated on December 25th is from the year 336, when Constantine was emperor of Rome. However, once again, it is not the significance of the date that counts, but the truth behind the person of Jesus Christ.

So, again, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a blessed, happy and safe Christmas season.

ROCK PAINTING for REMEMBERING

We have reached the formal end of our season of Rock Painting for Remembering, taking time to honour those we have loved and lost. 

However, if you still wish to paint a rock in someone's memory, please contact the Campus Chaplain at: medwaycampuschaplain@gre.ac.uk

Our 50+ memorial stones will be in place, opposite the Student Hub from early this month.

For more photos, see our blog entry from November 30th 2021.

Happy Hanukkah to all our Jewish Staff and Students

WHAT’S ON DIARY DATES

Dec 2^nd

TABLEtalk: International Night (Zoom)

Dec 4^th

Dickens Christmas Festival, Rochester

Dec 7^th

Christmas Angel Making

Drill Hall Library  11am-2pm

Dec 9^th

TABLEtalk: Short Film  (Zoom)

Dec 12^th

Empty Chair Service   3pm

St Mark’s Church, Gillingham

Dec 16^th

TABLEtalk: Christmas  (Zoom)

 Email Medway Campus Chaplain for further information or to sign up for any of these events.

Thought for the week ...

Rock Painting for Remembering

Cast your mind back to April 2020 ... 

If you are an international student, I'm not sure what was happening in your country but, here in the UK, we had been in lockdown for almost a month.  Knowing that this was going to be a difficult season we were already considering how we might mark the challenges and loss that so many people were suffering.  

Little did we realise that it would be close to two years before we could do anything meaningful. 

Finally, throughout October & November 2021, we have held a series of Rock Painting for Remembering sessions. A time for students and staff alike, to honour those they have loved and lost or simply to record something they have learned through this time. 

It was also an opportunity to say THANK YOU to all those who served on the frontline, providing support and healthcare to so many in need.

I'm so grateful for all who took part in this venture and I hope you enjoyed your creative and honouring moment 😊  

My thanks also go to each of the universities, SU and the Drill Hall Library for providing places for us to hold these sessions.

Photos of our final memorial site will appear on our

Medway Campus Chaplaincy Facebook page

and here on our Blog very soon.

Take Ten - Kindness

There are so very many reasons why we should be kind to ourselves, to others and to our world. Kindness values others, it promotes trust, boosts productivity and aids genuine compassion and caring. How can you practice kindness in these coming days and weeks?

View video:

Take Ten - Kindness

Canterbury Trip

A great day out in Canterbury. I'm confident that everyone enjoyed themselves  ...  exploring the sights and the Christmas market.

Stephanie was rather shocked
by the size of her pizza!!!

 

Looks like fun :-)

Despite being surrounded by scaffolding for renovation work, you can still feel the grandeur of Canterbury Cathedral.  And the inside is equally magnificent.

WOW - these look good!!!!