On a personal note ...

Around this time each year I take a spiritual retreat somewhere. The purpose of this is threefold.  First, simply the opportunity to rest and re-energise at the end of each academic year.  Secondly, a chance to look back over the year and ask myself, what has worked well and what hasn't, what have I learned from this year.  Third, and lastly, the chance to do some prayerful planning for the year ahead.

This year I had the privilege of spending time at Penhurst Retreat Centre, near Battle, East Sussex.

This was the view from my window 😀  My room had some olde-worlde character, but was complimented by a modern en suite bathroom.

Each morning and afternoon there were prayers in the chapel which I took advantage of, and found very beneficial.  I loved the simplicity and the decor of the chapel.

The very first thing that struck me when I arrived, after the very warm welcome I received, was the beauty and tranquillity of the place.  The grounds were kind of simple, yet lovely. So many places you could sit and read, pray or simply be quiet.  I spent most of my mornings reading through the Psalms, and my afternoons reading 'Making Sense of the Cross' by Alister McGrath.  I journaled and drew and prayed and rested.

I was so well looked after and the food was simply marvellous, thoroughly enjoyed everything I had.  The house was book-ended on one side by a working farm, and I woke up to the sound of sheep bleating each morning, then on the other side a small church which was open to visit.

 

I walked the Penhurst triangle and enjoyed Rosalind's Wood. It's hard to make out the writing on this stone but it says: Hours fly, Flowers die, New ways, New days, Pass by Love stays, Remembrance is the last gift of love.

If you are looking for a Christian retreat centre, I cannot recommend this place highly enough.  I hope to return there 😀

Chatham Carnival

It was a great day at Chatham Carnival last Saturday, helping to celebrate Christ Church Canterbury University's 60th anniversary and working alongside all three unis for the day 😀

It was really good to represent Chaplaincy
alongside each of our Medway Universities. There was
a lot of interest and some great conversations.
So good to raise the profile of the Medway Campus.

Paramedic Mike, did a great job showing this eager learner how to intubate a patient.

The universities shared their display area with the Royal Naval Association  ...  most appropriate for a campus with such a distinct naval history.

Mayowa was there with her family. MJ Praise were part of the day's entertainment, which was marvellous!! 

For the first time, Mayowa sang a beautiful song
entitled 'Bridges' which was written by
Sue and Denis (inbetween Dammy & Mayowa).

Thought for the week ...

TABLEtalk is coming back!!!

After two years of TABLEtalk via Zoom, we are returning to IN-PERSON gatherings  ...  and we just can't wait to see both old faces and new 😀😀😀

TABLEtalk has been running for 18 years and in that time almost 1,000 students, from approx. 80 different nations have benefitted from the opportunity to find community, make new friends, improve their English language, learn about British culture and develop improved cross-cultural skills and understanding.

OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS

FROM CHRIST CHURCH, KENT

& GREENWICH UNIVERSITIES.

WHY NOT GIVE THIS A TRY???

This year you will find us on Thursday evenings

from 7:30-9:30pm in the Oasis Lounge

(Rochester building, Medway Campus).

To gain most from the evening we encourage you

to come for the whole event. 

No need to sign up, just turn up 😀

Here are just a few comments students have made:

"I met with students from different continents and we bonded through TABLEtalk. We played games and had conversations on interesting topics. This wouldn't have been possible if I hadn't attended TABLEtalk."

"There are many international students so TABLEtalk is a perfect opportunity to meet new people, make friends, and learn new cultures. I liked the topics at TABLEtalk, they are always different and teach me something new."

"TABLEtalk allowed me to meet other students ... I learned a lot about other cultures and made friends from around the globe. The most important thing is I always had fun!"

"You get to talk about different topics that help guide your decision making process. TABLEtalk was the first platform I had to interact freely with other students on campus."

"To be able to socialise in an atmosphere that makes us feel respected and has a listening ear. I have been attending TABLEtalk for several years and, honestly, I would not have finished my degree without this and other events that are organised by the Chaplain. TABLEtalk has helped me to understand the culture of the local people, which is sometimes odd. Also, to respect other cultures and religions. Some of the activities held at TABLEtalk are very useful to be a better team player."

"I liked the exchange of ideas between students of different countries in the context of a particular topic."

"Through TABLEtalk I learned new things, had fun, practiced my English and gained more confidence in speaking with other people. It has countless advantages."

"It's good to meet new people, not only those from your class. I met new people from around the world and we usually shared our opinions in a discussion forum, which helped to open my mind."

"From my very first day at TABLEtalk I felt a connection between all the people and students and how everyone is like a family. I was delighted to see the hard work to create something for us, especially when we are far away from home."

"TABLEtalk is a very interactive and communicative activity. It engages students using games, stories, international food and debates. It provides an environment of understanding and friendship between students. I would recommend it to all students, especially internationals."

"I loved TABLEtalk and saw it as a great opportunity to communicate and share opinions with no fear of rejection."

We look forward to seeing you sometime 😀😀😀

New Chaplaincy Logo

Introducing our new Medway Chaplaincy logo 😀

Why this shape - well, Chaplaincy works central to all three universities at the Medway campus (Kent, Greenwich and Christ Church). The three points or sides might also represent body, soul, spirit which encompasses the work of Chaplaincy. Finally, for me as a Christian, the three points speak of the Trinity.

Some might say it looks like a sign-post ... well, that's appropriate too, as Chaplaincy is here to support the student journey, from the point of welcome and induction right the way through to celebrating your graduation. Chaplaincy also works closely with many other services on campus and does lots of sign-posting 😀

Medway Inter-Faith Walk for Peace

It was great to join 60-70 other people, representing a broad spectrum of faiths, at the Medway Walk for Peace last Saturday (July 2nd)

Our walk began at the war memorial on the Great Lines and began with a warm welcome and messages of peace from many different faith representatives.

It was also good to see a certificate of appreciation begin awarded to Bob Mahay, Community Liaison Officer, and to all Medway police for the work that they do.

We were also blessed with incredibly good weather as we walked from the war memorial, past Medway Hospital to the Sikh Temple, Byron Road, where we were warmly welcomed, told something of the history of Sikhism ... 

... and were well fed 😀

Our walk then took us to the Mosque on Canterbury Street, where we received another gracious welcome by Iman Irfan, and were, once again  ... fed 😀

Our final stop of the day was St Mark's Church where we were warmly received by the Archdeacon of Rochester Diocese, Andy Wooding-Jones.

There followed a fabulous programme of cultural entertainment including: the Music Man Project, a Tai Chi demonstration, some Romanian Kitka dancers, and MJ Praise and her Gospel choir

Oh, and more offerings of food 😂😂😂

Thought for the week ...