Chaplaincy News - April 2022

EASTER IS ON IT’S WAY

Your chance to pick a winning Easter Egg 

and support Medway Foodbank

YOU HAVE TO BE IN IT, TO WIN IT!

WHAT’S ON DIARY DATES

April 5^th

Chaplaincy Chill & Chat Pop-Up

Drill Hall Library  10am-2pm

April 7^th

TABLEtalk: Forgiveness

(via Zoom)

April 14^th

Chaplaincy Chill & Chat Pop-Up

Drill Hall Library  10am-2pm

April 15^th

Passion Play, Trafalgar Square

https://www.wintershall.org.uk/passion-jesus-london

(more details to follow)

April 16^th

English Festival, Medway

(more details to follow)

April 30^th-May 2nd

Sweeps Festival, Rochester

(more details to follow)

 

Email the Campus Chaplain for further information or to sign up for any of these events. Follow Medway Campus Chaplaincy on Facebook to keep up with events and news.

A PRAYER OR UKRAINE

God of the nations, whose sovereign rule 

brings justice and peace,

have mercy on our broken and divided world.

Shed abroad your peace in the hearts of all

and banish from them the spirit

that makes for war,

that all races and peoples may learn to live

as members of one family and

in obedience to your law through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

 AMEN

Anglican Diocese of Perth

TAKE TEN with LYNNE

 Stress is an inevitable part of life. Some stress can positively

motivate us. However, when a stressful situation is on-going,

or we’re experiencing multiple layers of stress, we need to

learn what to do and where we can go for help.

View video:

Stress Awareness Month

To ALL Medway Campus Staff

The Medway Chaplain invites you to step away from the demands of your role and the confines of your office; and join together with others for a well-deserved Coffee & Cake break (or Tea & Treats if you prefer).

Do put these dates in your diary and plan on joining us at least ONCE.

Welcome Bishop Jonathan

It was a great pleasure today to welcome Bishop Jonathan, the new Bishop of Rochester, to our campus.  He joins us from his current role as Bishop of Huddersfield.

For those who are unaware, the role of Medway Campus Chaplain (that's me) is a joint role funded by Christ Church Canterbury University, the University of Kent, the University of Greenwich and the Anglican Diocese of Rochester.

Many thanks to Atharva, Aiste & Annikki
for their part in Bishop Jonathan's visit.

As part of the media announced today it stated:  

"At the Medway Campus, lay chaplain Lynne Martin, accompanied by some of the students, will take Bishop Jonathan on a tour of the site which is home to three universities: Canterbury Christ Church University, Greenwich University, and Kent University. He will hear about the difference the chaplaincy makes to the students’ lives and learn about some of the issues they face as young people."

Take Ten - Stress Awareness Month

The month of April has been designated 'Stress Awareness Month'. Take a listen for some simple and straightforward advice on managing stress and looking after yourself.

View video:

Stress Awareness Month

Thought for the week ...

Lovely Alumni

This post is rather belated ...

However, one of the wonderful things about my role as Medway Campus Chaplain, is the relationships I form with students and the privilege I have of keeping in contact with them, long after they return home or go on to other study.

It was especially marvellous to see Veroni recently, as she was over here with her chap, Mark (and his mum), for Mark's graduation. We enjoyed a lovely Sunday dinner together and several hours of catching up. 

At some point I'll get out to Germany to pay her a visit 😀

Thought for the week ...

Lesnes Abbey country walk & picnic

Not long home from a wonderful time at Lesnes Abbey, in Abbey Wood.  Kirsten was an excellent tour guide, giving us a potted history of the Abbey itself, followed by a lovely walk through the woodlands.

Daffodils were out in abundance

My only disappointment was not finding any fairy houses 😞

It was good to have Maddie join us from Canterbury and especially wonderful to see Dominika, who was visiting from Oxford for the weekend 😀😀

St Patrick's Shamrock Hunt

Another fab day doing Chill & Chat in the Drill Hall Library today.  We had all the usual stuff  ...  water, sweeties, inspirational bookmarks, colouring and a listening ear.

The added plus today was a Shamrock Hunt in respect of St Patrick's Day.  Six people, observant enough to find our hidden shamrocks, were given a green bag, filled with green prizes.

Our six winners were Sammy, Richard & Hayley from Christ Church Canterbury University, Emel from the University of Greenwich, and Bee and Samuel from the University of Kent. Six super happy people 😀😀😀😀😀😀

Thought for the week ...

Ukraine Update

Some of you might be wondering why we are not collecting items for the Ukraine here at the Medway Campus.  There is obviously much need as many have been forced to flee the country with very few of their own personal belongings.

The need is immense and this map, taken from the BBC, gives an indication of the numbers of displaced people in desperate search of safety.

Here in Medway I know of two locations where people can drop off clothing, toilettries, medicines, etc; however, I also know that both of those locations have been inundated with donations. Whilst people's generosity is wonderful and the response is heart-warming, the abundance of practical donations presents it's own logistical challenge.

May I suggest that giving financially is the very best option at this time.  There are many worthy charities out there, but I ask you to consider a monetary gift to the Disaster Emergency Committee

DEC Ukraine Appeal

In addition to such giving, our response must be one of prayer. Prayer for an end to this meaningless death and destruction. For lives to be spared. For guns to jam and tanks to run out of fuel. For soldiers to lay down their weapons and say "No more!"  For miracles amidst the mayhem.  Hope in the face of despair.  Forgiveness in place of hurt and mistrust. Lord God, show yourself Sovereign. AMEN

Thought for the week ...

Spring is on its way :-)

On a personal note ...

It feels like the end of an era. I have finally said goodbye to my faithful Picasso, that has served me soooooooo well for almost 12 years.  So many miles, so many memories 😥

But there's also a very welcome hello, to my new Ford C-max.  May this car keep me safe and serve me just as faithfully in the years to come 😀

Prayer for Ukraine

If you are a Ukrainian or Russian student at Medway and you feel in need of additional support at this time; please do not hesitate to contact our well-being teams or myself as Medway Campus Chaplain.

We are here to support you!