Glasgow University appoints Humanist chaplain

Glasgow University has appointed its first Humanist “chaplain” (a chaplain is usually defined as a clergyman or priest). Mandy Evans Ewing will supplement a huge team of religious chaplains that are already operating in the university and will provide “support and guidance for students”.

Mandy is one of the first Humanist representatives in education to take up a permanent honorary Chaplain’s position at a UK University. She says that she will “contribute to interfaith gatherings” and provide pastoral care and rites of passage ceremonies for those who desire a non-religious service, and participating in the Interfaith Council and the Religion and Belief Equality Group.

Registered as a Humanist Society of Scotland Celebrant since 2001, Mandy is also a qualified Social Worker and is actively interested in the arts.

She said: “I have provided chaplaincy support at the University on and off for a few years in an unofficial capacity so it is fantastic to now have a permanent position. I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to University life in this way. I look forward to developing the chaplaincy work with the chaplaincy team and doing what I can for staff and students.”

The endless parade of “chaplains” dispensing their particular brand of compassion on the campus come from the Church of Scotland, Roman Catholic, Episcopal (Anglican), Free Church, International, Baptist, Methodist, and from Jewish, Buddhist, and Muslim backgrounds. The University Chaplaincy also has regular contact with representatives of the Ba'hai, Hindu, and Sikh religions.

The University’s prayer room, with adjacent washing facilities, is available for prayer and reflection or simply as a quiet place at the heart of the University. Christian services are held at the University Chapel, situated within the main building of the University.

02 May 2008