St John's College Record 2015 by Durham University

ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE RECORD

St. John’s College

is a very special College to so many… Leaving a gift to College in your will is to make a lasting contribution to the development of St. John’s and Cranmer Hall and the students who continue to come here. It will help to preserve our many historic buildings and beautiful College grounds; assist with the improvement and updating of facilities – including bedrooms and other social space – and provide support for students so that College is accessible to all. A legacy gift can be directed towards a variety of causes, but could be used to provide scholarships and bursaries for John’s Hall or Cranmer students, support the College library, provide new sporting facilities, or support our College endowment. Whichever you choose, when the time is right to make your decision, please contact: Charlotte Gilham-Grant, Development Manager. Email charlotte.gilham@durham.ac.uk

Leaving a gift to College will make a lasting contribution.

WINTER 2015 -16

Contents 3-8 8-9 10,11 12 13 14 15 16-18 19 20-21 22 23 24-25 26-27 28 29 30-33

Principal’s Report Transformation Project Ruth Etchells Fellow Catherine Fox Book Launch Chaplain Blueprint Award Bailey Theatre Company John’s Sport Marathon Boat Club Music Society England Hockey Chapel Choir College Choir York Charity Bike Ride Fellowship Report Alumni and Development Update

34-41 42-45 46 47-57 58 59 60-61 62-63 64 65 66-70 71 72-75 76

Bishop Stephen Sykes My Room Your Room John’s Bar Student Grants and Bursaries JCR Report SCR Report CCR Report SJS Warden of Cranmer Hall Undergraduate Symposium Academic Activity of College Obituaries Reunions Legacy

As part of the modernisation of our systems and ensuring we look after our data well, we are transferring all alumni data we hold to Raiser’s Edge – the system used both by Durham University and throughout the University sector. This will in no way infringe your privacy or threaten your relationship with College, it is simply administrative. However, if you are unhappy with this, please do feel free to contact the Alumni Office at St. John’s College.

Contact

Editor: Claire Readey, Development Manager Sub-Editor: Luke Tattersall, Alumni and Development Intern Tel: 0191 334 3873 Email: johns.alumni@durham.ac.uk Design & Print: Littlewolf PR & Marketing Ltd. St. John’s College, 3 South Bailey, Durham, DH1 3RJ www.durham.ac.uk/st-johns.college @StJohnsDurham

stjohnsdurham

The editors would like to thank all of the contributors to the College Record. John’s is trying to reduce its carbon footprint so if you would like to receive the College Record by e-mail only, please email: johns.alumni@durham.ac.uk Front cover & above photo credit: Photos from some of our many 2015 reunions.

Contents 3-8 8-9 10,11 12 13 14 15 16-18 19 20-21 22 23 24-25 26-27 28 29 30-33

34-41 42-45 46 47-57 58 59 60-61 62-63 64 65 66-70 71 72-75 76

As part of the modernisation of our systems and ensuring we look after our data well, we are transferring all alumni data we hold to Raiser’s Edge – the system used both by Durham University and throughout the University sector. This will in no way infringe your privacy or threaten your relationship with College, it is simply administrative. However, if“The you are unhappy with this, please feel free generously to contact the Alumni at St. John’s College. cover shows some of thedo gifts most given toOffice St. John’s College this year.”

Contact

stjohnsdurham

‘One of the most

popular colleges’

The Principal writes,…

write this report in a week where we are obsessed with beds. The A-level results have just come out and the Senior Tutor’s office has been working non-stop with prospective students and the University to make sure that we can accommodate everyone. John’s continues to be one of the most popular colleges, and while this is testimony to work of current staff and students, it does make it tricky to fit everyone in. Indeed, John’s is more of a balancing act than any of the other Durham colleges. In addition to undergraduates and postgraduates, we need not only accommodation, but teaching and worship space for Cranmer ordinands too, who will be joined this year by new tracks of training – a Free Church track, which is proving extremely popular, and in-training hubs, where we are working in partnership with the Diocese. For those older alumni who remember being forced to attend

Chapel, we are now in a situation where Morning Prayer is so full you have to be there early to make sure of a seat. Popularity brings with it responsibility and challenges. How do you maintain richness of community life with ever-increasing numbers? And perhaps more importantly, how do you build on success for the future which does not descend into complacency and pride?

Sadness and joy In the midst of a busy and fruitful year at St John’s, we were saddened by the deaths of former Principal Rt Revd Stephen Sykes and his wife Joy in the space of just a few weeks. In last year’s College Record, we were able at short notice to put together some tributes to Bishop Stephen, but this year’s has some more reflective pieces about his life and ministry. Stephen and Joy had served the College faithfully and had delighted in student company and conversation. It was an unusual appointment for a Bishop to take, and he would have been delighted to know that later in the year, the first two female bishops appointed by the Church of England, Libby Lane and Alison White, were St John’s alumni. It was a humbling moment at Bishop Libby’s consecration when she was presented by former Senior Tutor the Bishop of Chester, and the sermon was preached by the Venerable Sarah Bullock, currently serving on College Council.

Student Feedback One of the most important aspects of building community is to take seriously feedback from both staff

and students. We are fortunate that this is normally very positive, but this year we were delighted that in the International Student Barometer and Student Barometer College Results, we were top in most of the categories. Our overall satisfaction was the highest at 96%, 3% higher than the average of the other Durham colleges.

Satisfaction on welfare and support was 100%,

which is a testimony not just to the hard work of staff (from tutors to housekeepers), but also to the way that the students support each other, whether informally or through the JCR Exec and its Welfare team.

Working in partnership with students is one of the key features that we try to foster in College.

The past year saw some tragic deaths in the River Wear, and this was set against a broader concern of the use and abuse of alcohol in student life. We have therefore started a conversation with students about the culture of drinking which leads to vulnerability, lack of responsibility and sometimes violence. This is not a short-term fix. It is so deeply ingrained in the life of many young adults that it will take years to begin to change. The Principal telling people what they should do is not an effective strategy! Leadership has to come from students themselves, and the College is committed to supporting them in this. Principal’s Report

Student Feedback One of the most important aspects of building community is to take seriously feedback from both staff

Satisfaction on welfare and support was 100%,

Working in partnership with students is one of the key features that we try to foster in College.

An Academic Community Research activity continued to expand. Professor Pete Ward came from Kings College to join our team delivering the Doctorate in Theology and Ministry; CODEC, now established as one of the world’s leading research centres in the digital environment, welcomed Professor Erkki Sutinen from Finland for a term in College; and the Principal now leads a project, researching the attitudes to science among senior Christian leaders such as bishops, and working with the Church of England to promote an informed and confident engagement with contemporary science. Leech Fellowships were held by Robin Greenwood, who worked on the theology of blessing in building church communities, and David Goodhew, who found that over 100 new churches had been planted in the North East in the past few decades. Malcolm Guite as poet-in-residence and Cathy Wilcox as novelist-inresidence were Ruth Etchells Fellows, doing a series of writing workshops for students across the University as well as Etchells lectures. James Steven gave the annual Vasey Lecture, and Joel Edwards explored the new ecumenism of Pentecostal, evangelical and black churches in the Cundy Christian Unity Lecture. Borderlands lectures were given by Andreas Whittam-Smith, Rt Revd. John Sentamu and Lord Peter Hennessy, and we welcomed Dr Matthew Novoson, Dr Lisa Withrow, Dr Sola Akala and Rt Revd David Thomson as College Fellows. Michael Bird and Ruth Rogan led sessions on Principal’s Report

their experience of senior leadership in the private and public sectors. We were also pleased to start a new joint initiative with Ustinov College, exploring through seminars the dialogue of science and faith, featuring a lecture by Sir Arnold Wolfendale. The MCR continued its series of popular interdisciplinary Broaderlands seminars, and hosted an undegraduate research seminar where students had 10 minutes to present a research interest, either relating to their dissertation work or broader topics within their subject area. Topics were diverse and included ‘Iron Age Expansion, An Investigation of Irrigation Systems in Rustaq, Oman’, ‘The Significance of Crying in Human Psychological Development’, and ‘Pulsating Stars: Stars that Breathe’ and ‘Isolation or Integration? The Irish in Mid-Nineteenth-Century Preston’.

Academic Achievements Compared to the amazing degree results of last year, we had a smaller number of Firsts.

However, one needs to keep this in perspective and see that 94% of our students obtained 2.1s and above. The list of prizes shows the wide range of subjects in which John’s students excel – interestingly this year there was not one in Theology!

2014/15 Ist - 23% 2:1 - 71% 2:2 - 6% third or other exit 0 (0%)

2013/14 Ist - 34% 2:1 - 61% 2:2 - 5% third or other exit 0 (0%)

In 2006, College Council Prizes & Distinctions began to work on a new College Sarah Pugh Distinction in Spoken French, Distinction in Spoken German Lucy Hart Distinction in Spoken French Richard Brunt Outstanding Achievement Prize, Physics Julia Xavier Stier Distinction in Spoken German Georgios Ioannidis Kopanos Outstanding Achievement Prize, Theoretical Physics Emma Levin The Herbert Smith Law Prize, Lovells Prize in Law of Tort Malcolm Evans William Clarkson Prize, Archaeology Jack Hepworth The Gibson Prize, History

strategy which would cover the period to 2014. As part of this strategy we included an aim for a College endowment of £3-5 million. This modest endowment would give the College some independent income and some financial stability in the midst of the changing scene of both higher education and ordination training. Almost immediately, the financial crash meant that the prospect of raising that kind of money faded quickly. We therefore put in a longer term strategy of building a legacy programme, where folk could leave the College money and we could build up that amount over decades. It took us by surprise, therefore, that at the end of 2014, the

Principal’s Report

Academic Achievements Compared to the amazing degree results of last year, we had a smaller number of Firsts.

2014/15 Ist - 23% 2:1 - 71% 2:2 - 6% third or other exit 0 (0%)

2013/14 Ist - 34% 2:1 - 61% 2:2 - 5% third or other exit 0 (0%)

Principal’s Report

College received a legacy of over £4 million. This is the largest gift that the College has ever received – comparable with the initial endowment given to the College by Dora Cruddas. The gift came from the estate of an AngloCatholic lay man, George Pole, who had got to know the College in recent years and had been impressed with the way we are shaping people for leadership in both church and society. He left the residue of his estate to be split between St John’s and the

College of the Resurrection in Mirfield. The bulk of this estate is in property in central London. Thus, the money is not immediately available, and there are a multitude of questions for Council to work through. Even if this legacy was purely cash, the lessons of our history mean that we would not want to spend it – the College needs this kind of endowment for the future.

Back

If bed spaces are being squeezed, there is also pressure on lecture space, study space and library space. The expansion in the number of ordinands, coupled with Free Church leaders and what we now call Cranmer undergraduates, who come and do our courses in Theology and Ministry without necessarily looking to ordination, means that our current lecture rooms are too small and indeed lack the flexibility of modern teaching spaces. Our Library, with its specialist collection of Theology and Ministry books, is overfull, and across the College for all our students, there is a lack of study space. Students today want public study space as well as their own rooms.

to space

A reception hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace therefore saw the beginning of an Alumni campaign to raise money for a new Learning Resource Centre to be built on the site of 17 South Bailey. This will combine much-needed communal study space for students and lecture rooms for the teaching work of Cranmer Hall with a new, more spacious library. As Principal’s Report

this is part of the World Heritage Site, a considerable amount of work over a number of years has led to a design which is acceptable to both the College and other stakeholders. A phase of attracting donations and pledges before any alumni campaign had yielded £1.8 million towards the target cost of £2.5 million. The next year sees the need to raise the remaining amount, and then the

challenge of building, while maintaining the quality of student and staff experience. This is one of our biggest challenges and we need your help. Some have questioned, with such a large legacy to hand, why we need to fundraise. Part of the answer is purely practical â&#x20AC;&#x201C; even if we were to sell the property in central London, this would take some considerable time. Yet more importantly, we feel that by having the opportunity to give, each of us is investing in the future of the College. I found it immensely moving that when we launched the appeal, the first gift we received was from our own

kitchen staff, who caught the vision and took the initiative with a donation of over ÂŁ250. I want to ask you to consider three things. For those who pray, could you pray? For those who have the capacity to give, would you consider a gift or a pledge? And for those who have contacts with Trusts, Foundations or individuals who have capacity to give large gifts, would you consider being our advocate for this project? I would love to hear from you. The Principal, David Wilkinson

The

Transformation Project

The Transformation Project

The

Transformation Project

After months of planning, the last week of November 2014 saw the launch of the Transformation Project at St. John's. The intention of the week was twofold: firstly to open up a conversation about the meaning of transformation, personally and socially, and secondly to give an opportunity to artists of every type within the College to communicate transformation artistically. After a weekend of building display systems and arranging the paintings, collages, photos and 3D artworks, the week officially began with an opening night event in the Leech Hall. Over 70 people attended the night to drink wine, eat cake, view the artworks and watch performances by the College community - all based around the theme of transformation. It was amazing to see the variety of artistic talent as we heard music from Barbieshop (an all-female a cappella group), a string trio and a band and watched storytelling and performance poetry as well as two original short films and were treated to a finale of a 'glow show' of glow-in-the-dark juggling.

Wednesday night performance of a brand new play, written and developed in little over a week as a collaboration between Cranmer students and the Bailey Theatre Company. The play touched on themes of identity, relationship, prejudices and personal transformation and made amazing use of the chapel as a performance space. The week brought together an incredible range of talent across the College community, gave many people the chance to show their gifts and opened up a range of fascinating conversations about the power and potential of transformation.

The week continued with random acts of kindness to transform the community of College and the streets of Durham, the yarn-bombing of a tree in the chapel yard, a poetry reading in Haughton Dining Room, and a stand-up comedy night/poetry slam. Worth extra mention is the

The Transformation Project

Ruth Etchells Fellows - St John's College bequest

A generous bequest from Dr Ruth Etchells (Principal 1978-1988) enables us to invite leading Christian writers to become part of College community for a short time. Etchells Fellows enrich College life in many ways. During the 2014 Michaelmas term, we were delighted to welcome Malcolm Guite, a Christian poet. Malcolmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time at St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s was remarkably prolific. He wrote a number of beautiful sonnets, perhaps the most striking of which was inspired by a visit to the Palace Green Library book-binding exhibition of Cathedral and University holdings, where he saw the copy of St John's Gospel which was found buried with St Cuthbert and concealed by his clothes for hundreds of years.

Cuthbert's Gospel I stand in awe before this little book, The gospel that lay close on Cuthbert's breast, Its Coptic binding and red leather-work As sound and beautiful as when they placed This treasure with the treasure they loved best And set them sailing through the centuries Until these coffined riches came to rest In front of me as open mysteries. But as I look I seem to hear him speak 'This book is precious but don't waste your breath On bindings and half uncials and the like, Breathe in the promise of a better birth Tolle et Lege, try and find it true, The bound Word waits to be made flesh in you. With thanks to Malcolm Guite

Ruth Etchells Fellows

Ruth Etchells Fellows - St John's College bequest

Catherine Wilcox was the Etchells Fellow in the third term, offering students, postgrads and ordinands a summer school on fiction-writing, a second 'Encouraging Christian Writers' evening (Malcolm Guite launched the first) and a stimulating Ruth Etchells public lecture: "'Tell all the Truth but tell it slant': the role of fiction in exploring moral dilemmas".

During the 2014 Michaelmas term, we were delighted to welcome Malcolm Guite, a Christian poet. Malcolm’s time at St John’s was remarkably prolific. He wrote a number of beautiful sonnets, perhaps the most striking of which was inspired by a visit to the Palace Green Library book-binding exhibition of Cathedral and University holdings, where he saw the copy of St John's Gospel which was found buried with St Cuthbert and concealed by his clothes for hundreds of years.

Her novels include 'Angels and Men' (as Catherine Fox, originally 1996, reissued in paperback 2014) set in a fictional but recognisable St John's College. She took up the Etchells Fellowship in the Easter Term 2015, which enabled us to launch the SPCKpublished (originally blogged) 'Unseen Things Above', in June. It is the sequel to 'Acts and Ommissions' (2014), which wittily explores the faith and secular dimensions of problematic contemporary debates in fictional form; including the theme of gay marriage among the clergy.

Ruth Etchells, in her seminal book 'Unafraid to Be' was herself a fearless advocate of engaging with contemporary culture and we feel that the first holders of her Fellowship have contributed meaningfully to this project. This Michaelmas term's Ruth Etchells Fellow is playwright Tim Jones, who has written a play timed to honour the fiftieth year of Paul Tillich's death on 22 October 1965. We plan to hold a professional reading of his play on a final conversation and meeting between Tillich and Barth and the dynamic interplay of their lives, both having been professors of Theology in Germany in the 1930s.

But as I look I seem to hear him speak 'This book is precious but don't waste your breath On bindings and half uncials and the like, Breathe in the promise of a better birth Tolle et Lege, try and find it true, The bound Word waits to be made flesh in you.

Gillian Boughton

Painting of Malcolm Guite. "In Coleridge’s Wake" by Faye Hall - www.fayehall.com

With thanks to Malcolm Guite

Ruth Etchells Fellows

11 11

Catherine Fox

Book Launch On Friday 28th November 2014, John's hosted the book launch for Catherine Fox's new book, Acts and Omissions. We enjoyed a reading from the author and signed books, along with a glass of wine. This book was was originally blogged in weekly instalments during 2013 and is now published by SPCK. Depicting the fictional Diocese of Lindchester, this book as described described by (Dr Margaret Masson, Vice-Principal St Chad’s College), as

“

brave and beautiful, devastatingly honest, mercilessly funny, fundamentally kind Catherine is an alumna of St John’s, married to a John’s alumnus and is even the mother of one too! She is also a former President of the St John’s SCR. Catherine now lives in Liverpool (where her husband, Pete Wilcox, is Dean of Liverpool Cathedral) and lectures at Manchester Metropolitan University. She has been described as the Church of England’s Trollope for the 21st century.

Jack Moreton: First Class Honours in Geography and leading Durham musical performer and DULOG producer, singing in the Congregation marquee at Graduation.

Catherine Fox, Book Launch

Catherine Fox

Book Launch

Hey Miss! called the voice,

please say hello to Hannah!

On Friday 28th November 2014, John's hosted the book launch for Catherine Fox's new book, Acts and Omissions. We enjoyed a reading from the author and signed books, along with a glass of wine. This book was was originally blogged in weekly instalments during 2013 and is now published by SPCK.

“Of course!” I replied, and so opened up a conversation with a group of Year 7 lads, who, along with 120 others, had visited St John’s that week from my local secondary school. A number of graduate students had given up their lunch hour to join us, and had made quite an impression. Despite living just 10 miles away, many pupils had never met anyone from Durham University. Yet again, the dual nature of my role brought opportunities for members of College and parishioners to meet and be challenged by each other.

Depicting the fictional Diocese of Lindchester, this book as described described by (Dr Margaret Masson, Vice-Principal St Chad’s College), as

“

Jack Moreton: First Class Honours in Geography and leading Durham musical performer and DULOG producer, singing in the Congregation marquee at Graduation.

Catherine Fox, Book Launch

Being College Chaplain continues to be a huge privilege. Not many can make their debut for the College’s women’s cricket team, cox the second men’s VIII on the Thames at the Head of the River Race, appear as a wildebeest in the Pantomime, spend hours on Skype, drink tea, eat cake and wander randomly around College chatting to people, claiming it all as ‘work!’ Millie continues to be a huge asset, and is often seen around Durham without the Chaplain. She was delighted when she was unexpectedly awarded an honorary membership to the JCR, with voting and dining rights! In all the joy and fun of College life, this year’s highlight has been the increasing amount of vocational work I find myself involved in. Talking with students who feel a sense of God’s call upon their lives, and then giving them opportunities to explore this through leading worship, organising 24/7 prayer, preaching and sending them out into local parishes. Their enthusiasm and gifts give me such hope for the future – the Church of England had better be ready! Rev Susie Thorp

The Chaplain’s Report

Blueprint Award This year, four Johnians won the Durham University Blueprint Enterprise Challenge with a business idea they developed. Finalists James Greener and Tom Rowan, along with former students Benedict Douglas and Rosi Jelfs, came up with an idea for a new form of rowing racing (unfortunately that’s as much as we can currently reveal – the project will be top-secret for few more months). The Challenge involved three individual tasks throughout the year, including writing a business plan and giving a pitch, before the final ‘Dragon’s Den’-style presentation to a panel of University and business representatives.

business plan on time is slightly different to bellowing at an VIII-full of freshers and a cox who is magnetically attracted to bridges. Together we managed to win each of the three initial rounds of the Challenge before going on to win the final against 9 other teams. The judges were particularly impressed by our strength as a team, our enthusiasm and our brilliant cream College-rowing blazers.

Rosi and Tom worked hard on the project over the summer after the competition to turn the idea into a reality. At this point the company has been registered and trademarked, and What we lacked in business we are currently raising investment to experience we made up for with our allow us to put on our first events and for rowing knowledge, and with four years Rosi to take on running the business together in St John’s Boat Club, we full-time. We are all very grateful to had a good idea of what our different John’s for giving us the opportunity to strengths as team members were. We come together as a team, and are also found that we were good at looking forward to keeping the College motivating each other, although updated as we attempt to revolutionise encouraging someone to write a the world of rowing racing.

Blueprint Award

The year of 2014-2015 has seen Bailey Theatre Company expand upon the foundations laid last year to terrific new heights. Following our ratification as an official Durham Student Theatre (DST) Company, and our highly successful Summer Shakespeare production in June 2014, BTC hosted its first full university wide play for years in December - a production of Arthur Miller's timeless classic, The Crucible. With a cast consisting of members across the University as well as St John's, taking place in John's own Leech Hall, the show gained superb reviews (including a rare 5-star review from Durham Theatre

Bailey Theatre Company Blueprint Award This year, four Johnians won the Durham University Blueprint Enterprise Challenge with a business idea they developed. Finalists James Greener and Tom Rowan, along with former students Benedict Douglas and Rosi Jelfs, came up with an idea for a new form of rowing racing (unfortunately that’s as much as we can currently reveal – the project will be top-secret for few more months). The Challenge involved three individual tasks throughout the year, including writing a business plan and giving a pitch, before the final ‘Dragon’s Den’-style presentation to a panel of University and business representatives.

12 14

Blueprint Award WSC Under New Management

Review) and was nominated for Best College Play at the Student Theatre Awards. BTC then produced an original play by co-president Nikhil Vyas for the 2015 Durham Drama Festival, Killing Time. With sell-out audiences and a Best Director commendation at the Drama Festival Awards, this was another incredible success. In May, BTC broke into new territory with its first ever Assembly Rooms Theatre show, a production of Martin McDonagh's black comedy, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, which was nominated for awards for Best Comedy and Best Publicity. These projects have placed BTC at the forefront of college theatre in Durham, and with a production of Sarah Kane's controversial masterpiece, Blasted, planned for October, the company seeks to build on this reputation. This is a testament to the hard work and creative energy of everyone involved in BTC's running. We would like to take the opportunity to thank all who have taken part or contributed to our shows this year. We also wish to express our gratitude to the JCR and College staff for the support they have given the company across all our productions. Bailey Theatre Company

SPORT 2014-2015

The 2014-15 year of sport at John’s has been an exciting one; as is the nature of sport, there have been moments of victory and moments of commiseration. While several solid teams remain a constant, other sports have been growing, and as the John’s sporting landscape shifts, they can only wait in anticipation for the successes to come.

Despite our size, we have put in strong performances across the bigger sporting events this year. In the College’s Festival of Sport, John’s achieved an impressive 8th place out of 16 with 222 points on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, 2015 marked our first loss in the traditional John’s/Chad’s Day as St Chad’s took an admirable 8-16 win across the day. We hosted our first ‘Old Boys’ weekend with recent alumni playing games of hockey, rugby, football and netball against current students. There was also a huge range of John’s representation across the summer in Hockey 7’s, Lacrosse 8’s, BUCS regatta and Hill vs Bailey Rugby and Cricket events. Overall, St John’s sits 2nd in the College ‘sport points’ per person table, proving that we continue to punch well above our weight in the sporting sphere. After losing some key players to the real world beyond graduation, John’s Rugby spent much of this year grafting foundations. There was a huge intake of new players who were also completely new to the game, making for a valuable time of learning and development. This ‘academy year’ was hugely supported by sponsorship from Dale Carnegie who have provided the necessary resources to allow the team to invest in high quality training. The team have had some positive match time and are arguably more prepared than ever for the new season.

John’s Sport

SPORT 2014-2015

John’s Sport

The Mixed Lacrosse team

have had an especially successful year. The B team finished 4th in Division 1 whilst the A team finished an unbeaten 1st in the Premiership with a clean 7-0 record. They were the selected Durham College for the York vs Durham Varsity match winning 12-0 and finished the season with a 12-1 win over Durham University Mixed Lacrosse.

Football has been consistently growing and

improving for both the men’s and women’s sides. The men’s A team sat 3rd in the table over the Christmas 2014 break and completed the season in a strong 8th position in Division 1. The men’s B team made a strong challenge for promotion and beat top of the table Grey College and some other larger colleges. This year has also seen the development of a men’s C team, which promises to be a huge asset to John’s sport in the seasons to come. A particularly memorable game for the men was John’s/Chad’s Day where they made an incredible performance to come back from being 3-0 down, but sadly lost 3-2. Women's football started the season with a huge 13-0 win against Hild Bede and had a number of other hard-earned wins. Their commitment and hard work has optimised their talent and given them a successful and consistent season.

Both the A and B Netball teams have found themselves very successful in their divisions, sitting 3rd and 5th place in division 1 and 2 respectively. B team spirit in particular has become somewhat renowned in college. A highlight for them was a 27-11 win on John’s/Chad’s Day, which was a real showcase of talent and a joy to watch. The success of the Squash team has gained further momentum as they finished the year sitting comfortably at the top of the table after narrowly missing out on the title in 2014. With the core team looking to stay much the same, a growing number of keen female players and an oncoming fresh intake of first year students, SJCSC are only looking to get bigger and better in the coming year.

John’s Sport

Badminton has also been planting strong roots with the men finishing 2nd in the table and looking to be promoted and the women finishing a promising 3rd. Their success is down to clockwork regular training, enthusiasm and commitment from all involved. The women’s hockey club had an encouraging amount of new members join in October, many of whom had played at a high level before. This gave a huge boost to the core group of girls who have been representing St John’s in hockey in previous years and the team has seen a hugely positive development that can only be expected to continue in the future. This tight knit team of girls can hold their heads high with their hard earned results and a 6th place position in the overall table. After securing a place in the Premier ship off the back of last year, the

men’s hockey team have been

training consistently hard with old and new players and it has undoubtedly paid off. They have often come away on top after tough matches and should be celebrated for their determination. Their 3rd place on the table, only behind Hatfield and Collingwood, is testament to their investment of training time and teamwork.

Ultimate Frisbee has consistently had 2 teams out for Premiership fixtures and have put in strong challenges to the larger colleges with some really exciting games. As ever, their enthusiasm for their sport is almost infectious and rarely diminished by the prospect of returning covered in mud from the frequently waterlogged Whinney Hill pitches.

Alongside these established teams St John’s sport has welcomed a number of other new and growing teams. Set up last year, the cheerleading team has gone from strength to strength, progressing quickly into more complicated stunt routines and competing at collegiate level. A volleyball team formed surprisingly easily for several matches and their initial success is encouraging for the next lot of games. Men’s basketball is thriving and with a new captaincy Women’s basketball looks to be a force to reckon with in the future. I’m sure you will agree that given yet another year of outstanding sports performance we have a lot of success to look forward to in the future. Sport and Societies Officer 2014-15

John’s Sport

men’s hockey team have been

Charity

Fundraising A big thank you to everyone in St. John’s College who helped me to raise over £2,000 for Barnardo’s and sponsored me to run the London marathon.

I think in a university, which is, in general, so privileged that is in such a deprived county really needs to understand child poverty and the difficulties faced in the not so distant surrounds. So special thanks to everyone who helped make the auction I organized such a successful and fun night, with fantastic prizes being donated, from a champagne picnic in a rowing boat donated by two fresher-boys, to tickets to see the Newcastle Vs. Aston Villa game in a box. Running the marathon was a lot of fun, the atmosphere can only be described as carnival, it was so amazingly well supported, and I definitely couldn’t have got round without all the jelly babies! Although training with all the hills in Durham, with Sophie Langham who is another fellow Johnian and also ran the Marathon (ten minutes quicker than me, I should add, coming in at 4:09, whereas I came in at 4:19!) made the actual marathon seem much easier, doing repeated five mile laps up to the 'cock o’ the North' isn't easy! Cressida Mawdesley-Thomas

John’s Sport

Marathon

Boat Club

This year was a year of many changes for SJCBC. Intense training culminating in two Men’s and a Women’s crew racing in London over Easter for the Head of the River Races, and many successes during the Regatta season’s races demonstrated that we have incredible passion within St. John’s for the sport of rowing. The 1st IV composed of Abi Fletcher, Sophie Langham, Flo Wurfbain and Beatrice Ormerod enjoyed some early success, winning in decisive fashion at our first regatta of the season at Chester-le-Street, and setting a benchmark by which we aimed to continue the season. Particular mention must go to our incoming Women’s Captain, Molly-Kate McCaffrey for coxing the crew to victory in her first ever regatta. Meanwhile, the Men’s top IV lost narrowly to a Tees IV in the final by barely a canvas on their way to Henley. With the Men’s VIII winning at York, no wins were to be had for a few regattas due to cancellations, sheer dominance by other clubs or, in the case of Hexham, unfortunate disqualification as the boat we were borrowing failed to show the correct boat license numbers.

season was Durham Regatta. Entering more than 20 crews over both days, SJCBC showed rowing ability along with new-found size. On the Saturday the Women’s Novice VIII raced Lancaster University, leading until way over halfway through the race when an unfortunate crab meant the lead was lost, and the girls couldn’t quite pull it back in time. The Men’s Novice Crews put in a good performance, but had unfortunately left it too late in the season and came up against the strong university novice crews in both intermediate categories, both days. The Men’s first VIII lost both

The final official regatta of the

Boat Club

The final official regatta of the

Boat Club

intermediate categories, but turned out with the strongest ever crew to enter the Championship VIIIs, which they eventually won in front of a home crowd and by a canvas each time! On the Saturday of Durham’s Regatta, the new Alumni Club (set up this year) of St. John’s College Boat Club hosted its first ever event. Numerous old-boys and old-girls, their guests and other supporters of SJCBC arrived to watch a day of racing from the Regatta Blue Club’s gazebo within the enclosure. Whilst it was a shame that our guest speaker, ex-Olympic and Cambridge Blue rower, John Pritchard, was unable to attend, the day was both extremely fun and important in the development of this new vibrant pillar of the Club. The reception and dinner following the event also proved to be a success, with many of our guests receiving Boat Club

tours of College to revisit their old rooms and other memorable locations. Sebastien de la Fuente

With the size and aspiration of the Club growing, bringing together current rowers, the College and Alumni who relished in the sport during their days in Durham, this promotes the exciting shape the Club will take in the future. Indeed, one of our key aims this year has been raising money for a new VIII boat, and whilst we have raised many thousands of pounds (thank you to those who have kindly donated), we still need to raise more. If you are interested in joining the club, please don’t hesitate to get in contact via our new website at www.stjohnscollegeboatclub.com and if you would kindly consider helping us by donating or if you would like more information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch: sebastien@delafuente.co.uk What this year demonstrated is that our Club has a passion for the sport and a keen interest in representing our college around the country. Importantly, we clearly showed we could beat the clubs and colleges that pose a challenge to us in the future, provided we have the right equipment.

John’s Music Society

John’s Music Society has had another successful year with many events allowing music within College to flourish.

Michaelmas term 2014 opened with a successful welcome event, with many freshers coming to see what the Society has to offer musicians at John’s. The term saw the return of Wind Band, and ended with ‘Swinging Christmas’, and a performance by College Choir at the Christmas service in the Cathedral. The term ended with an Ensembles' Concert, when all of our Ensembles showcased their talent. We also elected a new Committee after the concert. Easter term was an extremely musical one, opening with an Open Mic night in the second week of term, a new venture which proved to be both successful and extremely enjoyable. Later in the term there were fantastic performances on John’s Day from Big Band, String Group and College Choir. JMS Festival week kicked off with a lunchtime concert in the Bailey Room which featured our instrumental ensembles. The week continued with the second open mic night of the term, and an evening of vocal music in the Chapel, where the College ensembles performed alongside St John’s Chapel Choir. The finale of JMS week was a Cabaret evening in Leech Hall, featuring a variety of songs from the shows. This week was a wonderful end to the term and fully showcased the musical talent that St John’s College has to offer. The events of the year have taken and developed many ideas from previous years, allowing traditions to grow, whilst the committee continuously strive to make music in John’s more and more prominent. New events, such as the cabaret evening and open mic night were equally, if not more, successful than other events and will hopefully hold a more regular position in the JMS calendar in the coming years. Samantha Spruce and Andrew Dean

ENGLAND HOCKEY

John’s Music Society

The phrase student-athlete doesn’t really convey the multitude of problems which come from trying to play international sport and taking a degree at Durham University at the same time. The word ‘student’ comes first in the phrase because that is the reason that you are at Durham University, and for myself I’m there to study Geography, however the fact that I’m constantly dressed in sports kit, reminds me that I am also there to train.

John’s Music Society has had another successful year with many events allowing music within College to flourish.

Having played hockey since the age of ten, I have been a member of the University Performance squad for the duration of my time at Durham. However in March I was selected to join the England U21 squad. Subsequently, I have played for the U21s v Germany, the Great Britain Development Squad v the Welsh Seniors and I hope to be involved with a lot more international fixtures in the future. Playing in these matches was an unbelievable experience, providing me with memories which will remain with me for the rest of my life. Not only did I feel immensely proud when I sang the national anthem for the first time, but I also felt a small kind of vindication for the times when I have compromised my academic work or social life to go to bed early before a game or practice on my own on the pitch at Maiden Castle.

Easter term was an extremely musical one, opening with an Open Mic night in the second week of term, a new venture which proved to be both successful and extremely enjoyable. Later in the term there were fantastic performances on John’s Day from Big Band, String Group and College Choir. JMS Festival week kicked off with a lunchtime concert in the Bailey Room which featured our instrumental ensembles. The week continued with the second open mic night of the term, and an evening of vocal music in the Chapel, where the College ensembles performed alongside St John’s Chapel Choir. The finale of JMS week was a Cabaret evening in Leech Hall, featuring a variety of songs from the shows. This week was a wonderful end to the term and fully showcased the musical talent that St John’s College has to offer. The events of the year have taken and developed many ideas from previous years, allowing traditions to grow, whilst the committee continuously strive to make music in John’s more and more prominent. New events, such as the cabaret evening and open mic night were equally, if not more, successful than other events and will hopefully hold a more regular position in the JMS calendar in the coming years.

During the 70 minutes of a hockey match, nothing which has come before matters and the only thing which enables you to succeed is putting in a lot of hard work: a theme which is shared both on the pitch and in a lecture theatre or in the library. Having ‘lived in’ during my third year in St John’s it has enabled me to focus on both my academic and sporting goals in Durham and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has made that possible. Jules Inverdale

Samantha Spruce and Andrew Dean

England Hockey

St John's Chapel Choir 2014-15 As I write this in late July 2015, the Chapel Choir has just returned from a successful tour to Rome. We were in the very hot Eternal City for a week (13th – 20th July) and in that time we sang concerts in the Basilicas of San Clemente and of Sant’Andrea della Valle – this last being the church that features in Puccini’s Tosca. Our base for rehearsals was the American church in Rome, San Paulo dentro le Mura, and we sang a Eucharist service there on the final Sunday morning. Earlier in the week we had sung for Masses in Santa Maria Maggiore and in San Pietro al Vaticano. Our tour manager, Anna Jackson, arranged some lovely flats for the choir to stay in and the social side of the week was similarly beautifully organised: many thanks to Anna for all her hard work. The Choir started in October 2014 with pretty much the same personnel it had had for the previous year. This meant we could tackle more elaborate repertoire this year, and singers and organists were able to pick up new music much more quickly.

St. John’s Chapel Choir

Aside from singing the weekly Evensongs in Chapel, the Choir led the Carol Service, the Ash Wednesday Eucharist and the Leavers’ Service. It is hoped that there will be more opportunities to sing for Eucharist celebrations in the coming year.

I wish to thank the singers and organists for their hard work this year; the music-making has been of high quality and has been suffused with fervour. Alasdair Jamieson Director of Chapel Music

The Choir went to St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh to sing Evensong in November. We took Scottish-related repertoire – Leighton’s Magdalen Service and MacMillan’s A New Song. We spent a day in Newcastle Cathedral singing the services in February, and in June the Choir led a Ripon Cathedral Evensong and then gave a well-received concert in the conductor’s home village of Great Ouseburn, near York.

St. John’s Chapel Choir

College Choir Report 2014-2015

Over the past year, St John’s College Choir has been thriving, and has performed at more events than ever before. While maintaining its inclusive nature as a non-auditioned choir set up to ensure that all students have the chance to sing together in John’s, the standard this year has been higher than ever before, and has allowed the choir to explore some exciting new repertoire. The first performance opportunity for the choir this year was at the College Carol Service in the Cathedral, where the choir began the service with a rendition of Elizabeth Postern’s carol Jesus Christ the Apple Tree sung in the atmospheric Cloisters.

Later on in the Service they performed the Sussex Carol, accompanied by the College Organ Scholar Tom Brockington. Later in the Michaelmas term, in the JMS event ‘Swinging Christmas’, the Choir teamed up with the College Choir Report

College Choir Report 2014-2015

College’s Big Band to perform an arrangement of All That Jazz.

During the Epiphany Term, the focus for the Choir was the JMS Ensembles’ Concert, where they performed a set of three different pieces, ranging from the sacred setting of Occuli Omnium by Charles Wood, to Ken Burton’s arrangement of the popular Gospel standard By the Rivers of Babylon and Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine. In the Easter term, the Choir participated in the College’s End of Year Service, John’s Day and the JMS Vocal Concert. In the latter, they performed another three pieces: My Love Dwelt in a Northern Land by Elgar, Brewer’s arrangement of Meguru and the light-hearted Goodnight Sweetheart.

looking forward to the weekly rehearsals as a way to relax, socialise and sing as a break from academic work. This year’s success is sure to continue into the next under the new directorship of Chris Blakey from October 2015. Charlotte Fletcher

College Choir continues to provide music for all aspects of College life, with the singers College Choir Report

Cyclists tackle 150 mile round trip

to meet the Archbishop of York in fundraising bid for new Learning Resource Centre Three intrepid cyclists from St John’s College and Cranmer Hall embarked on an epic journey from Durham to York and back in one day in a bid to fundraise for the new Learning Resource Centre on the 6th July. Leaving St John’s at 06:30am, Martin Gibson, Academic Administrator from Cranmer Hall, Graeme Holdsworth (Cranmer Ordained) and Claire Readey, Development Manager, undertook the challenge to raise £500 for the new Centre, which is planned to

serve both St John’s College and Cranmer Hall on Durham’s historic Bailey in the shadow of Durham Cathedral. The fundraiser is one of a range of events planned by staff and students, who hope to raise 1% of the total £2.5m build cost of the development. The cyclists were welcomed by the Archbishop of York on the steps of Bishopthorpe Palace, taking the opportunity to refill their waterbottles before beginning the journey home. Their journey was completed by 5pm.

York Charity Bike Ride

Cyclists tackle 150 mile round trip

Fellowship Report My day job is Senior Lecturer in New Testament and Christian Origins at the University of Edinburgh, but for Epiphany Term 2015 I had the pleasure of being Visiting Research Fellow at St. John’s College and the Department of Theology and Religion, Durham. The principal goal of my fellowship was to undertake the early stages of research for a book project on the apostle Paul and his relation to the Judaism of his day. Durham, with its considerable staff expertise and library holdings in this area, provided an excellent research environment, and I could not have hoped for a more welcoming host institution than St. John’s. While I had an office in the Department of Theology and Religion, I frequently found myself working in the College Library, where I had all the standard reference works (not to mention a great many volumes from Kingsley Barrett’s personal library) at my fingertips around the clock. I also benefited greatly from good company and intellectual exchange with the very fine cluster of Bible scholars in St John’s, in particular tutors Richard Briggs and Andrew Byers and research fellows Adesola Akala, Dorothea Bertschmann, and Melody Briggs. Near the end of my term, St John’s generously hosted a day conference co-organized by Prof. John Barclay and myself where postgraduate research students from Durham and Edinburgh presented their research and dialogued on problems in the interpretation of the Pauline letters. For all these things, I am deeply grateful to the College, especially to Principal David Wilkinson and Ms. Clare Towns, who went to great lengths to make me at home and so demonstrated why St. John’s enjoys the sterling reputation that it does. Matthew Novenson

York Charity Bike Ride

Fellowship Report

DEVELOPMENT UPDATE As 2015 draws to a close,

we find ourselves in the midst of, arguably, the most significant (and busiest) year for our small Development and Alumni Office. Fundraising for our new Learning Resource Centre to replace the College library has been at the forefront of our work. Five years in planning, and with £1.8 million raised from trusts, foundations and generous lead gifts before publicly launching our fundraising campaign this Easter, securing funding for the development of our new Learning Resource Centre continues to be our main focus.

Our target for development, albeit set some five years ago, was £2.5 million, which left us a shortfall of approximately £700,000 at the beginning of 2015. We decided to segment this amount into three, We are and committed to raising committed £500,000 from trusts, to raising foundations and major donors, £175,000 from a general alumni campaign, for our new and £25,000, or 1%, from Learning Resource our staff and student body. Centre

£2.5 million

Alumni and Development Update

DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

We continue to make good progress against our targets, and despite setbacks with planning, we remain committed to this project. The General Alumni Campaign Launch for the Learning Resource Centre at Lambeth Palace was very well attended, with over 80 invited alumni and donors joining us on an exceptionally sunny day. The excitement which spread through the room when Archbishop Justin Welby unexpectedly joined us was palpable, and we were delighted when he offered to address us, lending his support and endorsing our plans to develop the College in this way.

As 2015 draws to a close,

From the civility of Lambeth to fish heads on our lawn:

£2.5 million

Alumni and Development Update

Photo caption: Alan Usher in the stocks

Alumni and Development Update

Our catering and housekeeping staff have certainly been the driving force of our staff and student campaign. As well initiating an Easter raffle, the kitchen staff diligently saved kitchen waste for John’s Day, a warm, sunny day in June, when people queued to hurl stinking sponges soaked in the aforesaid gunk at our Head of Maintenance, Alan Usher, and the Vice Principal, Dr Mark Ogden, for the bargain price of 50 pence a go. This generated over £120! Our thanks go to both for being such good sports.

Fundraising for the Learning Resource Centre In June, I joined Graeme and Martin as they took on the challenge to cycle from John's to York and back again in a day, raising £700 towards the new Learning Resource Centre. In September, members of our Senior Common Room raised just under £500 through a wine-tasting evening. Fundraising for the Learning Resource Centre is only part of our work. It’s our job to make sure the College Record goes out on time, and is relevant and newsworthy enough to make you want to keep reading. We hope you like our new

look: we are now in our second year working with local designers Littlewolf. As always, comments and suggestions for content are very much welcomed. We also run the St. John’s College website and all our social media,

Twitter and Facebook – in which we try to give a sense of some of the goings on in College life. We have a Flickr account (linked from our website) and would be delighted to receive photos of John’s, past and present, should you be so inclined.

Reunions have been another major focus for us this year. Gone are the days when the Alumni office used to help facilitate only the traditional Five Years On reunion – this year we welcomed our largest gathering to date, the Sixties Reunion. Painstakingly organised by Alan and John, we were delighted to host this friendly group of alumni in July. After hosting our first Ten Years On reunion last year, the classes of both 2005 and 1995 decided they

weren’t to be outdone, and the last few weeks have seen both these years return to College and rush gleefully along the corridors once more. Next year we’ll be hosting our first Thirty Years on Reunion for 1986 graduates, as well as a Reunion for those who graduated in the 80s/90s. If you Alumni and Development Update

graduated in 1986, 1996 or 2006 – next year is your year, and we’d love to hear from you!

As well as College-based reunions, we also took the Johnian spirit further afield, holding our second annual St John’s London Convocation in early July. We invited a panel of successful alumni in diverse careers to host a Question Time type interview in which we discussed the impact of education on the world of work and reflected their world of work and what lessons we could learn for future generations. The Principal also gave a ‘State of the College’ address in which he shared College news and successes, as well as plans for the future. The next Convocation will be held on 7th July 2016. Please see our website for more details.

The Convocation interview panel consisted of several John’s Eagles. Launched in 2013, the Eagles scheme is an easy way for people to connect and give back to College, should they wish. We now have over 40 people across many professions, who have volunteered to offer

Alumni and Development Update

informal careers advice and support to our current and recent graduates and postgraduates. If you would like to help in this way, please do get in touch. As a natural extension of the Eagles Programme, this year we’re looking to put on a series of lectures, led by alumni and friends of College, to help give an insight into a particular career or another area which would be valuable to students. If you are an alumni, or indeed a parent and feel you have something you could share in this way, please do contact us. Finally, a quick thank you to everyone in the team for all the behind-the-scenes work which helps make so many things possible. We’ve been supported admirably by interns past and present: Carys Harper, Michael Main and Luke Tattersall last year with Nikolaus Krahe, John Grocott and Stephanie RedfernJones taking up the reins this year. We must also not forget the Conference Assistants, housekeeping and catering staff who all pull together to help keep delivering an ever-growing programme of events. After over a year of covering maternity leave, I now hand back the role of Development Manager to Charlotte Gilham-Grant. I will continue to work closely with

Charlotte in my new role, which will focus on supporting the Principal and improving College communications. If you would like to give back to College, there are many ways in which you can be involved.

Whether you wish to donate, leave a legacy, offer your time as an ‘Eagle’ or help organise a Reunion – we would be delighted to hear from you. Claire Readey, Development Manager

Bishop Stephen Sykes I was very sad...

...to hear of the passing of Bishop Sykes as I have very fond memories of him. I was fortunate enough to be JCR President from 2002-2003 and therefore got to meet with Bishop Stephen on a regular basis. I always found him to be very approachable and above all always holding the interests of the students at heart. He was regularly seen at breakfast, having made an effort to come in early to spend time talking to students. It was obvious he cared deeply about the College and the student body. A particularly memorable funny memory was when we had to disguise a press conference that was being held in Leech Hall to announce the unveiling of NT Wright as the Bishop of Durham. This was a success as after the press conference was announced, the rumour around College was that this press conference was to announce Prince Harry coming to John’s! My favourite memory comes though after I had left College. I moved to Kenya working in Nairobi for a number of years after graduating. I had heard that Bishop Stephen & Joy would be visiting Nairobi and was keen to meet up. Despite neither of us having each other’s mobile numbers, we were able to meet up and got to spend a day together when we visited Kajiado Children's Home. The Administrator of the Home was an

Bishop Stephen Sykes

Whether you wish to donate, leave a legacy, offer your time as an ‘Eagle’ or help organise a Reunion – we would be delighted to hear from you.

Anglican minister, so pulled out all the stops when he found out an Anglican Bishop was visiting and took him on a tour of the Home and the parish. That night, as we reflected on the day over a meal of Ethiopian food, we reflected on the impact that John’s Hall was having, locally within Durham and also nationally and internationally.

Claire Readey, Development Manager

Tim Woodall JCR President 2002-2003

Bishop Stephen Sykes I was very sad...

Bishop Stephen Sykes

Address by Canon Dr Alan Bartlett on the occasion of Stephen Sykes’ Memorial held in College on December 3rd 2014 Vicars run terrible risks of speaking only in clichés, but trust me it is not a cliché for me to say this evening that it is a great if a sad privilege to be speaking in this service. I hope in this sermon to be able to pay a little tribute to Stephen’s work as an Anglican theologian but focus more towards the end on his time at this College, and then set it all in the context of Stephen’s vocation as priest and teacher. I used to tease Stephen, when we were on the staff together here, that he was “living history”. I teach Anglicanism and it was a huge privilege, as well as a nice way of filling a teaching slot, to get Stephen to come and tell some of his stories! But it was of course far more than reminiscence. Stephen lived through and indeed helped to bring about a serious renaissance of life-giving orthodox theology in the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion. I still give students extracts to read from Stephen’s 1978 book The Integrity of Anglicanism. It was his explosion of frustration at the utter inadequacy and incoherence of the 1976 Doctrine Commission report, Christian Believing, which seemed to suggest that faithful Anglicans could believe in

Bishop Stephen Sykes Granting Possibilities

33 35

the creeds literally or, alternatively, regard them as irrelevant to life with God. Stephen exposed this for the Emperor’s new clothes, which it was. As Michael Vasey, another much-loved colleague who also taught me much Anglicanism, used to say, that the report was the nadir of English Anglican public theology. Stephen ruefully remembered being mocked – in Cambridge not in Durham – for suggesting that a conference on the Trinity might be valuable. Stephen has been vindicated. Anglicanism has been restored to and renewed by orthodox Christian Faith in a way unimaginable in the early 1970s. Out of this frustration also came one of Stephen’s great projects, the renewal of the study of Anglicanism, which of course bore fruit as the book with that title – still a standard reference book on Anglicanism. Again this was an unfashionable exercise, at least in England. English Anglicans don’t normally write much about their Anglican identity, except in periods of crisis when they write polemical books against each other! These books tend not to be very theological. Stephen was convinced that there was a coherent theological basis for Anglican identity but that it needed serious scholarly attention. There is now a substantial body of writing, journals and teaching programmes – and soon to be a Chair in this university – all devoted to Anglicanism. Again Stephen has been vindicated. Stephen’s passion for Anglicanism was not a narrowly denominational move. My favourite book of his, Unashamed Anglicanism (1995), was a collection of sparkling, scholarly and spiritual essays. I still cite with profit Stephen’s wonderful analysis of George Herbert’s matchless poem. Love Bade me Welcome, not least his provocative question about the gender of the speaker in the poem. Read it for yourselves. And I use his essay on Richard Hooker and the ordination of women as a classic example of naughty history: Stephen uses Hooker’s own method to prove that Hooker was in favour of the ordination of women to the priesthood. Or at least should have been, because in fact Hooker had explicitly declared the ordination of women to be an impossibility. I suspect that may be an

Bishop Stephen Sykes

Bishop Stephen Sykes Memorial Address continued... the creeds literally or, alternatively, regard them as irrelevant to life with God. Stephen exposed this for the Emperor’s new clothes, which it was. As Michael Vasey, another much-loved colleague who also taught me much Anglicanism, used to say, that the report was the nadir of English Anglican public theology. Stephen ruefully remembered being mocked – in Cambridge not in Durham – for suggesting that a conference on the Trinity might be valuable. Stephen has been vindicated. Anglicanism has been restored to and renewed by orthodox Christian Faith in a way unimaginable in the early 1970s.

interesting meeting in heaven! But I asked for one of Stephen’s favourite Hooker quotations to be on our order of service. Stephen passionately believed that the Church, even the Church of England, could be a ‘harmonious dissimilitude’. Diverse but united. And that this reflected the world that God had made. Hugely varied but deeply harmonious.

Stephen’s passion for Anglicanism was not a narrowly denominational move. My favourite book of his, Unashamed Anglicanism (1995), was a collection of sparkling, scholarly and spiritual essays. I still cite with profit Stephen’s wonderful analysis of George Herbert’s matchless poem. Love Bade me Welcome, not least his provocative question about the gender of the speaker in the poem. Read it for yourselves. And I use his essay on Richard Hooker and the ordination of women as a classic example of naughty history: Stephen uses Hooker’s own method to prove that Hooker was in favour of the ordination of women to the priesthood. Or at least should have been, because in fact Hooker had explicitly declared the ordination of women to be an impossibility. I suspect that may be an

special place of celebration of Stephen. He was a systematician and an ecclesiologist, a Regius Professor, and a bishop in the Church of England, but his interests and concerns were increasingly reaching beyond the formal confines of the Church. Under his leadership the Doctrine Commission tackled Being Human, exploring issues such as As we know, matters of mental health ‘Money, Sex, Power and Time’. Again I owe much to Stephen’s wisdom on were close to Stephen’s heart. I will never forget his welcome speeches to power – that it does not have to be a zero-sum game but as it is shared, our freshers, when every year he grows cumulatively; an important would ask them to take care of their mental health as well as their physical insight for the wider world as well as the Church. health – and to watch out for each other. It was eminently wise, Being human: Stephen loved to see thoroughly practical and deeply the students of this College flourish in compassionate. It is no surprise that so many spheres of life – arts, sport, Stephen was so widely loved by our undergraduates. He delighted in their friendship. And again it is to his credit that College coined the title vitality and creativity. Borderlands, to describe the public And that takes us towards a very between theology and other

Bishop Stephen Sykes

Out of this frustration also came one of Stephen’s great projects, the renewal of the study of Anglicanism, which of course bore fruit as the book with that title – still a standard reference book on Anglicanism. Again this was an unfashionable exercise, at least in England. English Anglicans don’t normally write much about their Anglican identity, except in periods of crisis when they write polemical books against each other! These books tend not to be very theological. Stephen was convinced that there was a coherent theological basis for Anglican identity but that it needed serious scholarly attention. There is now a substantial body of writing, journals and teaching programmes – and soon to be a Chair in this university – all devoted to Anglicanism. Again Stephen has been vindicated.

Bishop Stephen Sykes

Another passion of Stephen’s was William Cowper, and this begins to bring us closer to this College. Cowper’s life was over-shadowed by persistent and deep depression. Stephen lectured and wrote about this – and how Cowper wrestled with his feelings in his poetry - with great empathy and passion.

Bishop Stephen Sykes Memorial Address continued... academic disciplines. His vision of God and of human flourishing was ever expanding. But at its heart was Christian faith and Stephen was at heart, a priest.

Two memories: First

, during his time as Principal one of our young Cranmer ordinands collapsed and died in the fitness room. It was a congenital but undiagnosed heart condition. It was intensely shocking for the community. I just happened to be in College when Claire collapsed and so was one of the first staff involved. Claire shared a flat with a group of fellow ordinands. At Stephen’s suggestion, we went there later that night to check that they were ok, and to pray with them. A quiet example of Stephen’s heart as a priest.

that he needed fellow worshippers to do this. Hence I was the congregation – as were other local colleagues. He liked to use the BCP, even if slightly eccentrically. I would find myself unexpectedly drawn into conversation between the collect and the creed on entirely unrelated topics. Stephen would then resume the service. It brought Stephen not only close to God but also close to his father, whom Stephen could remember in confused old age, sparking back to life when the BCP was recited.

It has filled me with great sadness that Stephen was not able to enjoy the after the onset of his ill health – which potential of retirement. Truly God is has done so much to deprive the hard on his friends. But Joy and he Church of his wisdom as well as to seemed to me to bear this cross with make retirement a difficult journey for much resilience and some humour. I Stephen and Joy – I would was very privileged to be present at occasionally go to share Communion their golden wedding celebrations, with him at home. He liked to preside, where Joy quietly managed Stephen’s but being a good Anglican knew tendency to talk. Their love was

And second, more recently,

Bishop Stephen Sykes

Two memories: First

however very evident. And there is a strange if severe mercy that Joy’s own death has followed so soon on Stephen’s. Whilst a kindness for them, we must pray for their family even as we give thanks for Stephen and Joy. But I want to finish with the briefest of reflections on one of our scripture passages this evening. (They are not obviously helpful and we did wonder about changing them but the lectionary is the lectionary and we are good Anglicans celebrating a good Anglican!) I was struck by some phrases from the

prophecies from the Book of Isaiah. This is a particularly complex passage, a lament for the chaos of Israel before its conquest by the Assyrians in the 8th Century BC. The prophet uses the imagery of drunkenness to describe Israel’s stumbling public and religious life. Even the priests and the prophets stagger with drink. God speaks, but the people do not listen. God tries

Bishop Stephen Sykes

And second, more recently,

Bishop Stephen Sykes

desperately to be heard. So he speaks through the mouths of foreigners (v11) and even through the simplistic words of the teachers of children - ‘precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little’. Sadly, the prophecy finishes with despair: Israel will not listen even to the simplest of words but will fall, be broken, taken and snared. It could be a vision of despair but earlier we hear a constant refrain in the life of Israel. God will not give up on his people. Even when all is lost and only a remnant of the faithful remain, God will become like a triumphal garland of glory for his people, and he will bring justice to the judges and strength to the warriors. Stephen’s work amongst us was like that patient teaching - ‘precept upon precept, line upon line’. He slowly and steadily worked within Anglicanism to remind the Church of its faith and of its principles. And whilst our Communion is beset by many troubles, and our Church facing considerable challenges, we have been given a sound basis on which to face the future. I believe, under the grace of God, that the Church has heard. Thanks be to God for what Stephen has given us. Amen. Joy, wife of Bishop Stephen, died peacefully at home on 19th November 2014. We are comforted to know that she has joined Stephen in God's presence.

Bishop Stephen Sykes Memorial Address continued... Stephen Whitefield Sykes (1939-2014) was an iconic remnant of a past age... – A professor without a PhD, a bishop who had never worked priest, and an ordained theological college principal who had not done a curacy. Yet, as a world-class scholar of Anglicanism, and a much-loved pastor of students, we were reminded that quality does not necessarily depend on qualifications, nor care of others on formal pastoral training. Born in Bristol, where his father was principal of a theological college, Stephen had a traditional evangelical church upbringing. Study, first at Cambridge, and then at Ripon Hall, Oxford, equipped him for a major academic career, initially as Dean of his old College, St. John’s, at the age of 25, and then to Durham as Van Mildert Professor, and Cathedral Canon, in 1974. Here, formal theological exploration, preaching and teaching were happily combined, a context he would rediscover as Principal of St. John’s College, Durham later, in 1999. The time between was spent back in East Anglia, first as Regius Professor at Cambridge in 1985, and then as Bishop of Ely in 1990. His major work, The Study of Anglicanism, was published in 1988, and he chaired the Doctrine Commission of the Church of England from 1997 until 2002. Yet being a

Bishop Stephen Sykes

Bishop Stephen Sykes Memorial Address continued... diocesan bishop proved frustrating and problematical, being neither a natural mixer at parish occasions, nor someone who found consultation easy.

Stephen Whitefield Sykes (1939-2014) was an iconic remnant of a past age... – A professor without a PhD, a bishop who had never worked as a parish priest, and an ordained theological college principal who had not done a curacy. Yet, as a world-class scholar of Anglicanism, and a much-loved pastor of students, we were reminded that quality does not necessarily depend on qualifications, nor care of others on formal pastoral training. Born in Bristol, where his father was principal of a theological college, Stephen had a traditional evangelical church upbringing. Study, first at Cambridge, and then at Ripon Hall, Oxford, equipped him for a major academic career, initially as Dean of his old College, St. John’s, at the age of 25, and then to Durham as Van Mildert Professor, and Cathedral Canon, in 1974. Here, formal theological exploration, preaching and teaching were happily combined, a context he would rediscover as Principal of St. John’s College, Durham later, in 1999.

He flourished in the cut-and-thrust of academic debate, a place far removed for diocesan synods and bishop’s councils. His return to the North East of England brought many pleasures, not least the opportunity to engage in lively conversation with students of every discipline and background. He had previously been President of the College Council, so he knew St. John’s to be a congenial theological and ecclesial context in which to work. Students valued and reciprocated his approachability; rapid changes in church and university agendas, however, challenged his strategic focus. In 2006, he retired, full of optimism for time to spend with his beloved wife, Joy, and to write and to travel. Yet, all too soon, he was struck down by an inflammatory brain disorder, which confined him, and curtailed the brilliance of his mind. Yet, to the end, he remained the generous and gracious person we knew. Indeed, it proved deeply moving to observe Stephen in the Cathedral, struggling out of his wheelchair to stand to recite the Creed. Dressed immaculately in lounge suit and episcopal purple, he affirmed a belief in his God who, despite the trials and tribulations of life, he knew to be trustworthy. And he wanted to affirm his own faithfulness in response. Jamie Harrison

The time between was spent back in East Anglia, first as Regius Professor at Cambridge in 1985, and then as Bishop of Ely in 1990. His major work, The Study of Anglicanism, was published in 1988, and he chaired the Doctrine Commission of the Church of England from 1997 until 2002. Yet being a

Bishop Stephen Sykes

MY ROOM YOUR ROOM C9, 28 North Bailey

My first year in Durham has gone so quickly; looking back I can’t believe how much I managed to cram in. Early on in the year I signed up to a volunteering trip with Durham University Charity Kommitee (DUCK), which saw me going to Borneo in August to help an Orang-utan conservation project. Throughout the year I have been trying to fundraise for the project through college. On pancake day my friends and I made and delivered pancakes to peoples rooms for donations to the trip, I’ve never made so many pancakes in my life! I’ve become involved in the DU polo team.

DU polo team - having ridden before University, I wanted a new challenge, an learning polo was both an opportunity to learn a new skill and socialise with people outside St. John's.

The weekly formals in College mean we get to dress up and have a fancy meal with friends. 28 North Bailey C9 was my room. It’s not in the centre of College so is nice and quiet when you need a calm evening or during the revision period. However, it’s still attached to the main building so easy for people to get to (once the residents of 28 began promoting 28 North Bailey awareness). My room is known for being quite small but it has character! I have a great window seat which people use for chatting, napping, sunbathing and people watching. Despite its small size, we managed to cram people in for film nights by sitting the laptop in my sink while people sat on the bed. Emily Southwell

My Room Your Room

MY ROOM YOUR ROOM C9, 28 North Bailey

DU polo team - having ridden before University, I wanted a new challenge, an learning polo was both an opportunity to learn a new skill and socialise with people outside St. John's.

C9 (Emily Southwell lived

However, it’s still attached to the main building so easy for people to get to (once the residents of 28 began promoting 28 North Bailey awareness). My room is known for being quite small but it has character! I have a great window seat which people use for chatting, napping, sunbathing and people watching. Despite its small size, we managed to cram people in for film nights by sitting the laptop in my sink while people sat on the bed.

in that room (2014-2015)

My room overlooked the gate way to the cathedral on the Bailey. It was about 7 feet wide and 8 feet long! It had one chair, anyone else had to sit on the bed. My neighbour’s room was at least four times the size big enough for a party. But it was home for a year until I got a room big enough for two chairs (above Robin Nixon’s flat). Paul Kerr 1968-1971

Emily Southwell

My Room Your Room

I was in College from '69 - '74.

Paul Medlock (John's '69 - '74) and wife Jane (Trevelyan '71 - '74).

In Freshersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; year, I shared a room at the top of The Cottage (which then housed students on at least two if not all three floors) with Richard Pedley. On my arrival I found carved in the mantelpiece the name of my grammar school tutor and old-Johnian (Tim Hughes), on whose recommendation I had initially developed an interest in John's; other than this rather

encouraging welcome, I don't recall much of interest in the room, other than abseiling out of it using the rather hair-raising fire-escape rope as a dare at some point and being caught as I arrived in the quad below (pre-Leech Hall) by the Principal, Mr Cockerton - probably the first (and only?) time I had a face-to-face meeting with him. I don't remember his exact words, but I think he was prepared to put it down to naive student tomfoolery rather than anything

REMEMBERING YOUR ROOM Paul Medlock

requiring serious censure. After a spell in Linton Wing (very small) and several rooms in the lower regions of Cruddas (very dark), I spent my last two undergrad years on the top floor of the good Bishop's endowment block for one year, next door to Gavin Hewitt, during which I painted my room a hopefully entitled Passion Pink (Lady Cruddas, look away), and then in the corner room above the stairwell; I have a very clear recollection of an evening there (Cruddas 6 or 7?) during which Nigel Gregory, myself and another student (Dave Wolverson, perhaps?) engaged in one of our occasional and noisy mock fights which involved rolling about in a heap on the floor (having clearly failed to kick the tomfoolery habit), until interrupted by a student (whose name I could reveal but discretion suggests I should probably withhold), who had the misfortune to occupy the room directly below, and had been disturbed by the racket above. Clearly taken aback by the sight that met him on opening our door, and unsure as to which emotion - shock, outrage or anger - was the strongest, he announced that he had a good mind to punch us on the nose; probably deciding such action would only pull him down to our level, he then withdrew, I imagine to contemplate the depths of depravity to which the modern student had sunk. Paul Medlock

My Room Your Room

I was in College from '69 - '74.

Paul Medlock (John's '69 - '74) and wife Jane (Trevelyan '71 - '74).

REMEMBERING YOUR ROOM Paul Medlock

REMEMBERING YOUR ROOM Keith Atkinson

The late 50's was a fascinating time to be at John's.

The all-male student body was an interesting mixture of callow youths straight from school and returning National Servicemen from a rapidly-shrinking conflict-strewn Empire. We still had to sign in after 10pm and all women were out of rooms by 6pm. Having missed a RAF Commission due to a football injury, I loved the tales from the Raj. Peter Beck told us about Korea, and sometimes woke up screaming at night. Robin Mabey fought Mau Mau in Kenya. There were 21 year old veterans who had fought in Malaya. One officer in the 'Green Howards', whose name escapes me, embarked on the road to ordination after a particularly horrific firefight in a jungle plantation. Others served in Aden and fought against Eoka in Cyprus; and played hockey with milk bottles down Cruddas corridors! Many had found their calling following traumatic experiences in jungles, deserts or mountains. It was a humbling and instructive experience to live amongst such men. Rooming on the top floor of Haughton with Tom Barnes, I was unceremoniously thrown out of bed in the middle of the night by the Cruddas Mob who promised to be back. Martin Stevens and Bill Fielding rallied the defence. Mattresses were rolled up and jammed in the stairways, the bath was filled, and chamber pots were gathered to meet the onslaught. Whooping and hollering, the mob launched itself up the stairs only to find the way blocked and with a cry of "You don't know what urine for," from Martin, water was poured onto the attackers. Soon water was flowing down light fittings; the hall was flooded, as were the kitchens where even the cockroaches were drowned. Ah the winning ways of young ordinands! A truce was called and a good-humoured clean-up took place. All involved later faced a 'sconce' of ÂŁ1.00 which in 1957 was a large sum of money. Happy, irresponsible days!

Keith Atkinson MBE. Senior Man 1960/61. President Nottingham Rowing Club.

Paul Medlock

My Room Your Room

St. John’s Bar 46

The past year has flown over for all of us working in John’s bar and we’ve really enjoyed serving you all and making sure you’re all having a great time. The summer term was a fun-filled as ever, with John’s Day overflowing with Pimms and St. John’s first ever beer festival kicking off with a bang- we hope to keep this trend going throughout the coming term and we have lots of exiting new events on the horizon. The past year has really been a great one, and I’d like to thank every member of John’s for your support- whether you work on the bar door, are serving your fellow students or just one of the regulars propping up the bar - we couldn’t do it without you and we’d like to thank you for keeping the bar’s delicate eco-system in harmony.

St. John’s Bar

This new academic year you’ll still ﬁnd your old favourites behind the bar as we keep the Tripod and Ginception readily available for all of your pre-klute needs, but watch this space for new additions to our ever-growing smorgasbord of alcoholic delights!! As well as some new drinks we also have plans for regular themed nights to keep you entertained around lectures and generally learning stuff. Bye for now!!

St. John’s Bar

Bliss and the Bar Team

St. John’s Bar

St John’s College Student Bursary Report

Durham University Boat Club Training Camp to Soustons, April 2014 For 10 days during the Easter Holiday of my second year of undergraduate study, I spent time at Soustons Lake in south-west France with Durham University Boat Club (DUBC). Each year as part of the rigorous training programme, all members fly to Europe (usually France or Spain) for 10 days of fair-weather training. The reasons for this are twofold; one, it ensures no squad members slacken off their training over the break; and two, it allows for some productive training in clement weather before the summer race season begins.

Student Grants and Bursaries

Since joining DUBC in September I had committed entirely to the training programme of 12 training sessions a week, and as such wanted to continue my training and development as a rower at the Easter Training Camp. This commitment also meant that I had not had the time to undertake any part time work as I had in my first year, which is why I applied to the College for a bursary. I knew that my participation on the training camp would not only ensure my continued development as a rower, but also my understanding of the technical aspect of rowing, and hence my ability to coach; something which in turn would benefit St John’s College Boat Club (SJCBC).

During our time in Soustons, we had two water sessions a day. Every day our alarms were set for 6am as our first session would start before sunrise; the first session would focus on technical work, and trying to set the tone and mentality for the afternoon’s session. The afternoon session would then build on the technical work from the morning, whilst also ensuring a good mileage was covered. The afternoon sessions often involved race pieces, or working one boat against another, with allowing us to form crew cohesion and work smoothly as a crew, as well as allowing us to perform under the pressure of competition. I was able to see the rowing from the coach’s perspective which helped my understanding of what he was asking us to do. There are many times in a boat when it is difficult to understand what the coach is asking of you, or to see how what he is saying will benefit the crew, but by being with him and seeing the boat from an outside perspective, as well as being able to ask him numerous questions, I was better able to understand where he was coming from. I think this not only enhanced my understanding and performance as a rower but also assisted my coaching ability. Participating in DUBC Training Camp has given me skills that I will be able to put into use when coaching future SJCBC crews, hopefully ensuring that St. John’s College creates rowers and crews who fulfil their full potential. This is an opportunity that I would not have been able to partake in without the support of the College, and for that I am extremely thankful. Chloe Rosser

Student Grants and Bursaries

Tanzania 2014

From 2nd August – 17th September 2014 I was in Tanzania working for a charity called Go MAD (Make A Difference). During the first month I led a team of students, a couple are from St. John’s College (Clara Hardingham and Ed Heritage). This was a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding month in which we were involved in several projects. The main project involved the construction of a block of four toilets and a shower which was almost completed during the first month of my trip, with simply the doors left to hang (see Figure 1). This block was built for use as a health centre which volunteers from the charity have been building over the past year. The health centre will serve a threshold population of 10,000-16,000 people who otherwise would have had to walk over 10 miles to get adequate health care. The government have confirmed that if the health centre which we have built has the correct specifications, with a house for the doctor and nurse and a block of toilets, then they will provide staff for the clinic. This is the biggest, most challenging, yet most exciting venture that the charity has been involved with and I am confident that it will make a life-changing impact on the village and surrounding area.

From left to right: Doctor’s house, toilet block, health centre.

At the start of September the student team left and a new team mainly consisting of retired professionals arrived. Work on the Doctor’s house became the main focus as we set the foundation (mixing several tonnes of concrete by hand on the ground), before the walls were erected and door frames fitted. Another exciting project was building a 90,000 Litre water tank which will provide water for the health centre all year round. A picture of the beginnings of the Student Grants and Bursaries

The 90,000 litre water tank in from of the health centre

water tank can be seen in Figure 2 alongside the Health Centre. A final project that I was involved with was a small-scale house regeneration project. At one of the churches that we regularly worship, in a village called Nyambeshi, we met a 14-year-old girl, Gati, who was orphaned and living with her grandfather, Babu. Babu is very ill and also very weak, he is therefore unable to work to provide any food for Gati. As such Gati is working in

order to provide for both herself and her grandfather meaning she cannot go to school. As a team we decided to raise and mend their make-shift roof, meaning it was slightly cooler and also didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t leak, fix a door on hinges in order to secure their house, add a window to get fresh air and light into their dusty and dark house and also build 2 new beds for them as Gati used to sleep on the mud of the floor. We also visited Gati and taught her at her house along with a couple of other young teenagers who had fallen behind in their school work for other unfortunate reasons. Overall,

this small project was the most heart-wrenching but was also satisfying to watch Gati grow in confidence and pleasing to see Gati and her grandfather living in a safer and cleaner house. Many thanks to St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College for your ongoing monetary support into my work in Tanzania. You can see that the money is going such a long way and the people are very grateful of the work I am able to do because of your assistance. David Browning

Summer 2014

. From 1st August to the 2nd September 2014, I undertook voluntary work in the Mara region of Tanzania with a charity called Go M.A.D Tanzania. I did so as part of a small team of volunteers from Durham University, which included Dave Browning and Clara Hardingham from St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College and Dave MacFarlane from Grey College. We worked predominantly in and around the town of Musoma, which is situated on The completed toilet block, before the door hinges were put on and rendering. the south-eastern edge of Lake Victoria, populated largely with rural workers who farm for subsistence. The work of Go M.A.D is wide and varied as it aims to address the needs of some of the poorest people in East Africa, who are faced with a significant number of challenges in their daily lives. The health centre, completed by the end of 2014, will be a permanent base for a doctor and a nurse and will provide vital health services for local residents. Currently, the only option for the sick is to travel large distances of several miles into the centre of Musoma for treatment. These people often have disorders such as Malaria, Bilharzia and infections,

Student Grants and Bursaries

order to provide for both herself and her grandfather meaning she cannot go to school. As a team we decided to raise and mend their make-shift roof, meaning it was slightly cooler and also didn’t leak, fix a door on hinges in order to secure their house, add a window to get fresh air and light into their dusty and dark house and also build 2 new beds for them as Gati used to sleep on the mud of the floor. We also visited Gati and taught her at her house along with a couple of other young teenagers who had fallen behind in their school work for other unfortunate reasons. Overall,

this small project was the most heart-wrenching but was also satisfying to watch Gati grow in confidence and pleasing to see Gati and her grandfather living in a safer and cleaner house. Many thanks to St John’s College for your ongoing monetary support into my work in Tanzania. You can see that the money is going such a long way and the people are very grateful of the work I am able to do because of your assistance. David Browning

Above: Meeting the local savings groups and the goats they had bought with the their money

Summer 2014. From 1st August

to the 2nd September 2014, I undertook voluntary work in the Mara region of Tanzania with a charity called Go M.A.D Tanzania. I did so as part of a small team of volunteers from Durham University, which included Dave Browning and Clara Hardingham from St John’s College and Dave MacFarlane from Grey College. We worked predominantly in and around the town of Musoma, which is situated on The completed toilet block, before the door hinges were put on and rendering. the south-eastern edge of Lake Victoria, populated largely with rural workers who farm for subsistence. The work of Go M.A.D is wide and varied as it aims to address the needs of some of the poorest people in East Africa, who are faced with a significant number of challenges in their daily lives. The health centre, completed by the end of 2014, will be a permanent base for a doctor and a nurse and will provide vital health services for local residents. Currently, the only option for the sick is to travel large distances of several miles into the centre of Musoma for treatment. These people often have disorders such as Malaria, Bilharzia and infections,

which are too often life-threatening. Key to the Kyamajoje health centre is proper sanitation, so this was why the toilet block was so important.

Student Grants and Bursaries

Due to the nature of the work at Kyamajoje, with concrete and mortar often needing to be left to set, the afternoons were available for other important work to be undertaken, such as teaching school children, running sick people to hospitals, working with a Go M.A.D sister charity called Rehema, working with local churches and the Anglican diocese development projects, and more building work. It was also a privilege to work for Rehema, an organisation that provides some of the poorest and most vulnerable women in the region with work in a (very good) café and trade skills to make clothing or provide beauty treatment in a spa they are in the process of establishing. It

was fantastic to be able to see the work that they do first-hand. In the same way, it was a real privilege to be able to travel to Bunda, an area about an hour away from Musoma, to speak to women who are part of local savings groups and microfinance projects. These women are supported by the Anglican Diocese of Mara (ACT Mara), which provides them with small business loans that have been used to form workers cooperatives. Within these groups, the women make Bhatik clothing and hand soap which the sell for a profit. This money is then put back into the business and may be loaned out to individual members for their use, providing them with equity they would not otherwise be able to access. It was humbling to be able to help the people of Tanzania in some way. This is just a snapshot of the work we undertook with Go M.A.D; I am very grateful for the financial support I received from St. John’s College. The trip had, and will continue to have, a profound effect on me. Edward Heritage

Student Grants and Bursaries

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the College for their financial support for the Durham Drama Outreach Zambia Project 2014. My involvement in the project would not have been possible without your support. DDO Zambia is a volunteering programme run in conjunction with Durham Student Theatre and Experience Durham. The project sends a group of students to Zambia for 6 weeks each summer to work with vulnerable young children and adults, building and supporting theatre initiatives in Livingstone and Lusaka. I have had the incredible opportunity to take part in the project for the last two years, firstly as a team member and then last summer as the team leader. It was absolutely magical to be able to return to Zambia this summer and to re-establish the connections we had built in the previous year. In addition we made connections with some new initiatives and began to solidify some projects that should be able to be sustained for the foreseeable future. It is really exciting to see the project grow and to have been a part of the foundation and its initial development. Although at times a struggle, I learnt a lot about my leadership qualities in my role as team leader. I developed important skills of co-operation, patience and perseverance.

In addition, in my first year I formed a friendship with a young girl, Florence, at one of the projects, and was lucky enough to bump into her again this year. I discovered that she was no longer enrolled in school following a family bereavement, and with the support of the charity that facilitates us, I set about working out a way to sponsor Florence directly and make sure she could return to school. After meetings with the headquarters of the street kid project where Florence has lunch, I went to a number of schools to enquire about places in year 3. Eventually I managed to secure a place at one of the best girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; schools in the city! On my final day in Zambia, I spent the morning delivering Florenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new uniform and school equipment to her, and then dropped her in school for her first lesson! This was honestly one of my most wonderful experiences, and I am so grateful for the opportunity the project gave me to enable this. I am still in regular contact with Florence, the school and the centre, and intend to return to Zambia to see her again at some point in the future. Ellie Gauge

Student Grants and Bursaries

Sanisera Underwater Archaeology Course

I was amongst a group of interesting individuals, mostly students like myself, who were passionate about various aspects of archaeology. This in turn created an environment where our personal interests thrived and we were introduced to different parts of the subject. In total I completed eleven dives to a maximum depth of 20m. During those dives we worked in groups to record the amphora discarded by the shipwreck; because of the season, the sea grass was thick and made recording challenging at times. However, this made the success of finding an artefact all the more rewarding. We were surveying an underwater site divided into sixteen sections where there was thought to be three shipwrecks, ranging from the 2nd century B.C. to the 4th A.D. The opportunity to explore an aspect of archaeology which is slightly unusual was both a privilege and a pleasure. My days were productive and included getting up at 6.15am and working 10 hour days. We also

Ellie Gauge

Student Grants and Bursaries

During the summer I attended an underwater archaeology course on the island of Menorca from the 30th August to September 18th 2014. The course was titled Discover Amphora & Shipwrecks in the Underwater Port of Sanitja and included a PADI open water qualification, food, accommodation and transport to and from the site every day.

Student Grants and Bursaries

had lectures on various topics to do with Roman Mediterranean trade and shipbuilding. As well as underwater surveying, the course included; identification of Roman pottery, photographing and recording all finds and plotting them on a digital map back at the school. The supervisors who worked at the school were dedicated individuals who are experts in their field. This meant we were completely absorbed in their field of study and it was their enthusiasm which made this field school particularly special. It has also led me to make the decision to continue studying underwater archaeology, using it in my dissertation and to seriously consider it as a career option. I hope to raise enough funds to go on another of their underwater courses, this time in Italy, and explore the underwater city in the Bay of Naples. It was a truly life-changing experience that has helped me decide which direction I want to take in my future. Florence Wurfbain

Student Grants and Bursaries

Society for Old Testament Study Winter Meeting

On 5th-7th January 2015, I attended the Society for Old Testament Studyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Winter Meeting at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. SOTS is a British organisation devoted to the academic study of the Old Testament and related areas of research. The Society holds two meetings each year, which bring members of the Society together to hear about one anotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s research.

The supervisors who worked at the school were dedicated individuals who are experts in their field. This meant we were completely absorbed in their field of study and it was their enthusiasm which made this field school particularly special. It has also led me to make the decision to continue studying underwater archaeology, using it in my dissertation and to seriously consider it as a career option. I hope to raise enough funds to go on another of their underwater courses, this time in Italy, and explore the underwater city in the Bay of Naples. It was a truly life-changing experience that has helped me decide which direction I want to take in my future.

As a Theology PhD student studying in this area, I thoroughly enjoy attending SOTS conferences. It offers me the opportunity to hear about current research being conducted in my field and to meet others, from students to senior scholars, who share similar interests. I enjoy hearing papers, all of which are delivered by established scholars, and value the opportunity to discuss my own research with other members of the Society. The 2015 Winter Meeting was no exception. I heard fascinating papers on topics as wide-ranging as the role of the Bible in the Academy; the discovery of artifacts at archaeological sites; and the dating of the exodus. I had many interesting conversations and learnt a lot from others. Furthermore, I also attended a postgraduate workshop on publishing. This was extremely useful, as a publisher and two scholars spoke about their experience of this key area within academia.

Florence Wurfbain

Overall, the Society of Old Testament Studyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Winter Meeting was a really good experience and I learnt a lot from it. SOTS helps me to develop into a better and more rounded scholar and I am extremely grateful once again to have had the opportunity to attend. Katie Woolstenhulme

Student Grants and Bursaries

Durham students attend International Students’ Energy Summit in Bali. Run by Student Energy, a non-profit organisation based in Calgary, this was the first time the International Student Energy Summit (ISES) had ever been held in Asia. The event is a relatively young one, having only taken place 4 times since its beginning in 2009, but has already attracted widespread support - including recognition by Ban Ki Moon and the UN as an organisation. This summit’s theme was “connecting the unconnected”. I was housed in a hotel with a quarter of the delegates, and every day we were taken by shuttle buses to Bali International Convention Centre for talk sessions. Evenings were occupied by planned events, showcasing the island’s culture, or unofficial networking, usually on the beach over a pint of Bintang. 700 delegates from almost 100 countries attended the conference, meaning I met a vast array of people from all over the world. The talks I attended were all well thought-out and rather exciting – including one talk regarding energy access contributed to by Ms Sri Mulyani, chief managing officer of the World Bank. My favourites included a talk investigating the links between energy usage and human behaviour, and

whether we can adapt energy systems to daily routines and indeed vice versa. The second day of talks proved to be the most controversial, with a talk discussing the changing trends in fossil fuel markets. One thing that really struck me over the course of the summit was the hypocrisy involved. Bali itself is full of extreme poverty, and we were staying in 4-star hotels, being driven everywhere, eating lunch from pre-packaged cardboard boxes and picking up freebies from key sponsors such as BP. The summit also highlighted that we are still far off our goal of a sustainable and worldwide energy network for the foreseeable future. This has left me more determined than ever to become an engineer specialising in renewable technology. Somebody has to save the world, after all! James Bernays Student Grants and Bursaries

I was hugely privileged to give a paper at the seminar session “Christology and the Trinity” of the annual conference of the Society for the Study of Theology (SST), held at the University of Nottingham from 13 to 15 April. It was exceedingly useful and enjoyable experience for me.

I have to say that I was very anxious and nervous about attending the conference and, further, giving a paper at the conference. It is because, firstly, I am just in the first year of doctoral research (yes, I have not even finished a formal progression review yet); secondly, the conference was the very first conference that I attended as an active participant in my lifetime; finally, I am not highly skilled at speaking English or something in English. So I found it very difficult to avoid being intimidated by the tasks. I was less confident as to whether or not I can play an ambassadorial role in the context of the conference and the seminar session. Anxiety made me fed up with endlessly revising and polishing the paper. However, I did my best and got them done finally. My oral presentation wasn’t too bad, and I was given some valuable responses from audience. It has not only helped me intensify confidence of giving a paper but also clarify argument of my doctoral research project. It led me to realise the weak points of my argument. I hope it will eventually bring coherence and contestability to an argument of my ongoing doctoral research. Furthermore, this conference experience enabled me to understand British academic culture. I have learnt ways of mutually respectful criticality and receptivity from the contexts of questions and answers. In particular, I was greatly impressed and inspired by a plenary session on gender equality in the field of education and research of systematic theology. I was able to realise the fact that an enormous amount of efforts is dedicated to transforming the status quo of the still male-dominant academic field of systematic theology. Moreover, the conference experience also allowed me to expand human networking in the field of theology in a quite dynamic way. I was given many opportunities to share my ideas with many early career and senior researchers in either formal or informal contexts. I was hugely motivated and inspired by the encounter with researchers. To put it succinctly, I have been encouraged and empowered to move my doctoral research forward by participating in the conference and giving a paper there. I am sure that this experience will more fully equip myself for playing an ambassadorial role in the context of British, European, and international conference. I am grateful indeed for the generous bursary that enables me to participate in the conference. Boram Cha (PGR, Dept. of Theology & Religion) Student Grants and Bursaries

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This year

JCR Report

I had the pleasure of watching the JCR grow and prosper. Relationships between the Common Rooms have flourished greatly this year. The MCR and CCR joint wine tasting and the International Poster Night are testaments to the enthusiastic and close interactions in the JCR.

Furthermore, sports and societies have greatly flourished this year. The newly established Cheerleading Society already competed in the intercollegiate cheerleading competition and the “Whiskey Appreciation Society” was restarted and saw great attendance by students. In the College Festival of Sports this year, we managed an admirable 8th place out of 16. However with great regret I have to note that for the first time in the history of St John’s, we have lost to St Chad’s with 8-16 at John’s-Chad’s day. The big social events of the year have once again been a great success such as the Bailey Ball and John’s Day. The latter event especially saw the principal’s raft being raided and pirated by students, forcing the senior college officers to swim back to shore. The St. John’s College Charity Fashion Show was re-established and was a huge success, raising over £2800 for “Heel and Toe Charity”. The upcoming year promises to be exciting. The constitutional reform committee currently works to streamline and update the

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constitution to take into account the evolution of the JCR since the last constitutional updates five years ago. There have also been talks of establishing a “John’s Cheese Society”, whose president would be known as “the Big Cheese.” Furthermore, John’s will once again win John’s-Chad’s Day, as everyone is excited to give their best and bring the trophy back to John’s. It is the enthusiasm, experience and energy of individual students, who re-affirm the notion that St John’s is the friendliest college in Durham, which we can only support and encourage. Whether elegantly strutting down the catwalk for charity, showing visitors around College or supporting each other in every possible situation, our students are the JCR and make me proud to be a part of it. For more information on 2015 and the future, or if you want to support the John’s Common Room (which represents ALL students in St John’s College), do email me at johns.president@durham.ac.uk. Nikolaus Krahé (JCR President) You can keep up-to-date with our activities using the St. John’s College JCR Facebook page (on.fb.me/johnscommonroom) or follow @StJohnsJCR on Twitter.

JCR Report

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This year

JCR Report

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In 2014-15 we maintained our full cycle of events, with formals and informals each term as well as term-time Wednesday lunches which are a regular and popular event for members. In October 2014 we welcomed Jonathan and Jane Ruffer as our guests. As a result of their initiative the famous Zubaran paintings remain in the North East and, more particularly, in Auckland Castle. We heard from Jonathan about the background to his involvement with Auckland Castle, some ideas for its future and how his Christian faith is a pivotal influence in this project. This was followed in November by some seasonal readings and music led beautifully by the Dean of Durham, Rev. Michael Sadgrove ably supported by members of Castle College Choir. Our regular Burns’ night supper, brilliantly led by Angus Wells, Jim Francis, Robert Song and Margaret Masson was without doubt the best Burns’ night south of the border! And at our February informal, the artistic talent of SCR members and others was on display with paintings, photographs and pottery in abundance.

Nikolaus Krahé (JCR President) You can keep up-to-date with our activities using the St. John’s College JCR Facebook page (on.fb.me/johnscommonroom) or follow @StJohnsJCR on Twitter.

JCR Report

In May, the Principal, David Wilkinson gave an illustrated presentation about the College focusing on the research that is carried out in the College and the latest plans for the development and growth of the SCR Report

SCR Report College, in particular the Learning Resources Centre. We are planning various fundraising activities in 2015/16 in support of this latest development. And, to round off the year, we combined our AGM with a jazz evening. We have also been able to continue with the award of student bursaries, with three bursaries worth £250 each. We hope to have reports and possibly presentations from all of these students in the Michaelmas Term of 2015/16. One further development that is coming to fruition at the end of the year is the establishment of a new SCR. Although smaller than the rooms which have traditionally been for SCR use (and which will continue to be the venue for

SCR Report continued...

Wednesday lunches), the availability of a dedicated room for SCR members’ use only is, we hope, something that SCR members will appreciate and make good use of. I would like to thank the Committee – Dorothy Cummings, Peter Hart and Paul and Margaret Jefferson – together with Pat Francis who organised the February art exhibition, for their sterling work during the year. Professor Geoff Moore SCR President

CCR Report It has been a wonderful year at the CCR, in which we welcomed over 30 new Anglican ordinands. Sadly, we also had to say goodbye to 30+ folk who were ordained as Deacons in the Church of England in June and July. However, we are very excited about what their future holds as they go on to serve churches across the country, from Southwark to Carlisle. This year as an exec, we hope to continue developing stronger links and friendships with the JCR and MCR. Last term, we once again enjoyed being involved in John’s Day. Even though our raft might have been even worse than last year, we hope our use of incense and prayer books added some CCR Report

SCR Report continued...

welcome Anglican spectacle. We have also been delighted over the last year to welcome an increasing number of undergraduates and postgraduates to daily Morning Prayer and Wednesday Night Compline (always followed by port and cheese in the common room). This has all taken place in addition to the continuing tradition of worshipping alongside each other each week for Tuesday Night communion.

CCR PRESIDENT PHOTO

In the coming months we are particularly excited to get involved in fundraising for the LRC - with one of our members having already cycled 149 miles in one day for the cause! It has been joy this year for members of our community to engage with the wider community in Durham and the North East through our placements at local churches. From October we will have ordinands training contextually with hubs set up in Middlesborough and Shotton Colliery. This is an exciting new development that will help strengthen relationships with local communities across the region. Furthermore, the October term also heralds the start of our new Free Church track. This means we will be welcoming people from across traditions, networks and denominations. This is an exciting development and will bring added CCR Report

diversity to a broad (if strongly Anglican) community, and will help us to maintain our ecumenical focus. We feel genuinely privileged to be training for ordination as part of the wider John’s community. We look forward to another year of being formed amongst friends. God Bless, Garreth

save the date 7th July 2016 Late 80s/Early 90s Reunion (Organiser: Jonathan Fuller) 30th – 31st July 2016 Late 80s/Early 90s Reunion (Organiser: Jonathan Fuller) 5th – 7th August 2016 5 Years On Reunion (Organiser: Jonathan Berry) 9th – 11th September 2016 10 Years On Reunion (Organiser: Roddy Peters) 23rd – 25th September 2016 30 Years On Reunion (Organiser – Alasdair Duncan) Contact the Alumni and Development Office for more information

SJS Report When you hear "alumni organisation", what do you picture? Grey suits and warm white wine, maybe. Definitely a tray of anaemic looking vol-au-vents. The St. John's Society isn't your average alumni organisation. Over the past few years we have been building momentum. We support cultural and social events in College, and pay the drinks bill. We arrange get togethers in London, where a lot of Old Johnians gravitate. We visit College, bring presents and tell jokes about Klute. We exist to add value to the life of College. In the past year we have continued our brand new tradition of informal reunions: one in the Spring, another in the Autumn. November 14th was our Third Annual such event, and saw us head to Shoreditch – handy for those whose trains come into Liverpool

Street or Kings Cross. All ages are welcome at our reunions. If you haven't seen your first year roommate/College husband/cox for ages, then find us on Facebook (SJS Durham) or follow us on Twitter @Durham_SJS to find out when we’re next meeting.

Introducing

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The Exec

Ol v co tume compe i on John s Day 2014

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) grad 2006 Roddy Pe e s (Cha s) g ad 2007 Al ce Manu l ( ven su er) g ad 2007 Soph e Gi es Tre Sec e ar ) grad 2011 and Kate Godfr e

We can offer inancia he p or p o ects in Col ege – we bought the Ba ley Room so as helped ebu ld the Boa hou e and hos ed a conce t at he Centenary ce eb at ons G ad gi ts 03

n and A umni pa D v d Wi k ns oget er wi h Pr nc o fco y om Co lege ex Of i er C a re Read

Our Exec has met several times to enthuse about future plans for reunions around the UK, transplanting a 'formal hall' out of Durham and hosting an alumni ‘Sports Day’. We have discussed strategy and our constitution with David and the Alumni office at SJS Report

length, and had time to each cook the other‘s dinner. Our commitment to thank retiring members of support staff on all current and past students’ behalf continues, as does paying for the Five Year Reunion’s drinks reception, as well as offering a congratulatory gift to graduates. This year's mug features Dan Christian (2007) joyously heelclicking his way down the Bailey.

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The Exec

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what do you do? We offer support for projects in College as well as hosting social events So - we give thank you gifts to retiring catering, domestic and other support staff, on your behalf We organise two informal drinks events in London: in May and November every year to which you are very welcome

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The form

We give a small treat to all graduating Johnians: most recently a vintage photograph mug

You can find us on Facebook by searching for ‘SJS Durham’ and follow us on Twitter. www.facebook.com/groups/SJSDurham @Durham_SJS

Sadly Sophie Giles is due to step down as our Treasurer and so we are about to lose her. We owe Sophie an enormous debt of thanks for battling banks and spreadsheets: thank you so much for your time and Filofax organisation. If you would like to get involved with the Society, help with any of our activities or create new ones, then do get in touch. We are currently actively on the lookout for a Treasurer, VP and Publicity Officer. Roddy Peters Chair

We give a Champagne drinks reception at the annual 5-Year Reunions

grad 2006 Roddy Peters (Chair) grad 2007 Alice Manuel (Events) grad 2007 Sophie Giles (Treasurer) (Secretary) grad 2011 and Kate Godfree

We can offer financial help for projects in College – we bought the Bailey Room sofas, helped rebuild the Boathouse and hosted a concert at the Centenary celebrations Grad gifts 2013

Alumni David Wilkinson and together with Principalfrom College, ex officio Officer Claire Readey

SJS Report

Warden of Cranmer Hall

It has been another vibrant and packed academic year at Cranmer Hall. The teaching spaces, Chapel and dining room are full to bursting, particularly having received 37 ‘freshers’, 34 of whom are training for ordained ministry, we even had to buy extra benches for chapel. 2014/15 was the first year of ‘Common Awards’ (the common programme for ministerial theological education, validated by Durham University), which has gone well. It was also a year of book launches, with at least five staff members publishing books over the course of the year. It has been great to welcome Dr Andy Byers as our new Free Church Tutor; who is part of this exciting new venture for St John’s College as we partner with the newer Churches of the North East to train men and women for ministry in this region. It was also good to welcome Prof. Pete Ward, who has moved here from King’s College London and is continuing his pioneering work in many areas of theology, not least in Ecclesiology and Ethnography. At the end of the year it was sad to say goodbye to 33 students leaving to be ordained and serve around the country. We were also sorry to say goodbye to Michael Volland, who has left for a teaching post elsewhere. 2015/16 promises to be another year of growth and development, as we prepare to welcome 39 new students, some of whom will engage with our new ‘Cranmer Urban Track’. There are more details of this innovative development available on our website.

Four of this year’s intake will be studying for the BA in Theology Ministry and Mission as ‘Cranmer Undergraduates’. This means that they are studying for their first degree, as a full part of Durham University and St John’s College, and have chosen to study Theology, Ministry, and Mission in this confessional environment. Please do let people know that this is an option that is available to them if you know of others thinking about studying theology, as this is a fantastic way to learn and grow in a faithful and rigorous environment. We are also thrilled to be welcoming Rev Andrew and Dr Sarah Dunlop who will be joining the staff here in November, and also overseeing the East Durham Mission Project. Thank you for all your support; please continue to hold us in your prayers, and feel free to come and visit us if you are in the area. Mark Tanner

Warden of Cranmer Hall Report

Warden of Cranmer Hall

Undergraduate Research Symposium 2015 On Thursday 11th June, the second St John’s College Undergraduate Research Symposium took place in the Tristram Room. Organised by the Middle Common Room, the Symposium offers undergraduate students an opportunity to share their work with other members of the College community and recognises the valuable research undertaken by undergraduates within their degrees.

Now in its second year, the Symposium is fast establishing itself as a regular and anticipated event in the College calendar. It is great to see so many members of the College community supporting the work of our undergraduates and we look forward to watching the event continue to grow over the coming years.

It was also good to welcome Prof. Pete Ward, who has moved here from King’s College London and is continuing his pioneering work in many areas of theology, not least in Ecclesiology and Ethnography. At the end of the year it was sad to say goodbye to 33 students leaving to be ordained and serve around the country. We were also sorry to say goodbye to Michael Volland, who has left for a teaching post elsewhere. 2015/16 promises to be another year of growth and development, as we prepare to welcome 39 new students, some of whom will engage with our new ‘Cranmer Urban Track’. There are more details of this innovative development available on our website.

Thanks go first and foremost to our undergraduate presenters, for sharing their work with us. We are also extremely grateful to the JCR for funding the event & to members of the MCR, who chaired and helped ensure smooth- running of the event.

Katie Woolstenhulme - MCR Academic Affairs Officer and Symposium Organiser

We are also thrilled to be welcoming Rev Andrew and Dr Sarah Dunlop who will be joining the staff here in November, and also overseeing the East Durham Mission Project. Thank you for all your support; please continue to hold us in your prayers, and feel free to come and visit us if you are in the area. Mark Tanner

Warden of Cranmer Hall Report

This year, fourteen of our undergraduates, representing all years of study and a wide range of academic disciplines, offered short presentations on an aspect of their recent research. Topics included the presence of evil in the world; portrayal of illness in narrative; and the Durham University Solar Car project. The event was a great success, with over 40 people in attendance from various parts of the college community, including: staff, tutors, undergraduate and postgraduate students. The standard of presentations was extremely high and presenters demonstrated both passion and proficiency in their knowledge and communication of their subjects.

Undergraduate Research Symposium Report

Adesola Akala

Book in Progress The Prayers of Paul: A Biblical and Practical Theology of Prayer. InterVarsity Press. Forthcoming 2016. Papers, Lectures & Sermons November 2014. Cranmer Hall. ‘Christ Prefigured: Emmanuel - Isaiah 9:1-7’. November 2014. Cranmer Hall. ‘Preaching from the Synoptic Gospels: Background and Narrative Theology of Matthew, Mark and Luke’. January 2015. Cranmer Hall. ‘Johannine Symbolism: Understanding John’s Symbolic World’. November 2015. Society of Biblical Literature, Atlanta, USA. ‘Symbolic Conversations and Characterizations: A Comparison and Contrast of the Samaritan Woman in John 4:1-42 with the Syrophoenician Woman in Mark 5:25-30’. Forthcoming Conference Convened ‘Exploring the Glory of God: Biblical, Theological, and Aesthetic Perspectives’. 6th -9th July 2016. St. John’s College & Department of Religion and Theology, University of Durham, Durham Cathedral. Keynote Speakers: Rt Revd Dr Christopher Cocksworth, Revd Dr Paula Gooder, Professors James Dunn, David Ford, David Brown, and Tom Greggs.

Andrew Byers

Free Church Tutor and Teaching Fellow, Cranmer Hall, Durham University & Chaplain, St Mary's College, Durham University. Books Published TheoMedia: The Media of God and the Digital Age by Andy Byers (Free Church Tutor at Cranmer Hall) was released in the UK in 2014 by The Lutterworth Press. He had two review essays published in the area of theology and digital culture: "Our Love Affair with the Letter "i." Review of Craig Detweiler's iGods: How Technology Shapes our Spiritual and Social Lives (Brazos, 2013) for Christianity Today (2014; online). Review of Viral How Social Networking is Poised to Ignite Revival for Journal of Religion, Media and Digital Culture (2014; online).

Andrew Graystone

Papers Written Towards a new broadcasting covenant Crucible, Spring 2015 Papers given at conferences War - what is it good for? Finding new imagery for life with cancer Keynote address at Changing Attitudes to Cancer, UCLAN Centre for Cancer Studies

Media involvement Pause for Thought - BBC Radio 2 Prayer for the Day - BBC Radio 4 Regular appearances on BBC Radio 5Live Interview with Jeremy Paxman, Third Way magazine

Canon Dr Robin Greenwood (William Leech Fellow 2013-2015): September 2014 I gave a paper at the AnglicanLutheran Society Conference in Budapest, "Church as a Wisdom Community: Gathered, Blessed and Dispersed for the Sake of the Kingdom" www.anglican-lutheran-society.org January 2015 I was consultant to an international Anglican Symposium on Ministry Development held at San Antonio, Texas (see livingstonespartnership.net The book arising from my Participatory Action Research as William Leech Fellow, Sharing God's Blessing: How to renew the local church will be published by SPCK in January 2016

Dr Bex Lewis

Book chapters ‘Digital Culture’, in Geary, B. and Bryan, J. (eds) Christian Handbook of Abuse, Addiction and Difficult Behaviour, Kevin Mayhew (2nd Edition, forthcoming) ‘Programming Collaborative Learning’, in Leaning, M. (eds) Exploring Collaborative Learning in Media Education, Informing Science Press Academic conference papers In the world but not of it: Keep Calm and Carry On, Fandom and Religion, Leicester MediaLit: Engaging Faith and Media in a Digital Age, European Conference on Social Media, Portugal. Propaganda with a Mission: Learning from the Second World War for the Christian Sector in a Digital Age, Association for the Study of Religion, Economics and Culture, Durham University #DIGIDisciple: Issues and Opportunities for the Christian Sector in a Digital Age, Media, Religion and Culture in a Networked World, Canterbury The Digital Age; a Challenge for Christian Discipleship?, European Conference on Social Media, Brighton. Reviews Heidi Campbell (eds) Digital Religion (2013) for International Journal of Public Theology (forthcoming, Vol 9.2) Elizabeth Dresher Click 2 Save (2012) for Journal of Religion, Media & Digital Culture (January).

Academic Activity of the College

Adesola Akala

Andrew Byers

Andrew Graystone

Media involvement Pause for Thought - BBC Radio 2 Prayer for the Day - BBC Radio 4 Regular appearances on BBC Radio 5Live Interview with Jeremy Paxman, Third Way magazine

Dr Bex Lewis

Academic Activity of the College

Conference Proceedings ‘MediaLit: Engaging Faith and Media in a Digital Age’, The Proceedings of the European Conference on Social Media Media Coverage I have developed an extensive media presence, and am regularly called as an expert voice on local, national media and Christian media, including appearances on The One Show (BBC One), and BBC News.

Dr Dagou Zeze

Promoted to Reader in 2014, then to Professor in 2015, in the area of Nanotechnology and Microsystems. Director of Postgraduate Studies in the School of Engineering and Computing Sciences. Coordinating a European Union project on semiconductor nanowires.

Facebook”, June 2015 European Association for Biblical Studies, Cordoba, Special Seminar Papers: “Introducing the CODEC Research Project and “Digital Tools for Biblical Studies”, July 2015 Fandom and Religion Conference, University of Leicester: “Depicting Biblical Narratives: Noah”, July 2015 Common Awards Student Conference, Presentation: “Communicating Conviction” Common Awards Staff Conference, Presentation: “CODEC and Digital Tools for Biblical Studies” Baptist Theologians Residential, Regent’s College, Oxford: “Being Human in a Digital Age”, September 2015 SBL Conference, Atlanta, seminar: “Millenial Christianity, MTD and the Bible”, November 2015

Joshua L. Mann Revd Dr Pete Phillips, Director of CODEC

Speaking and Publication Record 2014-2015 Christian New Media Awards and Conference, Mainstage Presentation: “FutureChurch”, November 2013. NMThink Gathering, London: “Eutopia”, Spring 2014. MediaLit Training Course: “Communicating Conviction” and “MediaFutures”, May 2014, June 2015. Wesley Study Centre Formation Conference: “The Bible and Formation”, Summer 2014 Greenbelt, Presentation: “Spirituality in a Digital Age”, August 2014 Spiritus Conference, Durham Diocese: “Spirituality in a Digital Age”, September 2014 Methodist Council Paper: “Security and Privacy in a Digital Age”, published on line Autumn 2014 Christian New Media Awards and Conference, Mainstage Presentation: “Transhumanism”, November 2014 EdTech Research Centre, University of Eastern Finland, November 2014, Keynote: “Digital Theology and the Church” Video for CODEC and Methodist Church: “Methodism and Communion” with David Wilkinson, January 2015 VentureFX Day: “Discipleship in the Digital Age”, March 2015 Sheffield Interdisciplinary Institute for Biblical Studies, seminar paper: “Biblical Literacy Across the Ages”, April 2005 Preach Magazine, article: “How to construct Digital Worship”, Summer 2015 Preach Magazine, team article: “Digital Resources for Preaching and Worship Leading”, Summer 2015 BBC Radio Scotland, interview: “Facegloria and

Academic Activity of the College

Articles/Essays: “What is opened in Luke 24:45, the Mind or the Scriptures?” (under review). “The (New) Exodus in Luke and Acts: An Appeal for Moderation,” in The Reverberations of the Exodus in Scripture (ed. R. Michael Fox; Oregon: Pickwick, 2014), 94–120. Academic Seminar presentations “How Does Bible Software Affect the Meaning of Our Texts?” British New Testament Conference, Edinburgh, 3–5 Sept 2015. “How Does Bible Software Mean” Digital Research in the Humanities 2015, Dublin, 1–3 Sep 2015. “From Scrolls to Scrolling: Making the Most of Shifting Modes of Scholarly Communication” The Emerging Humanities: Strategies for the Future, Durham, 22 June 2015. “From Scrolls to Scrolling: The Bible’s Ever-Changing Medium and Layout” CODEC Research Seminar, Durham, 28 May 2015. “Ignorance and Illumination in Luke-Acts: An Overview” Biblical Studies Research Seminar, New College, University of Edinburgh, Nov. 2014. “Illumination and Jewish Unbelief in Acts” British New Testament Conference, Manchester, Sept. 2014.

Kate Bruce

Deputy Warden Cranmer Hall, and Tutor in Homiletics 2014 September: Speaker at Harrogate School of Theology. November: Lead Study Day in Leeds – Preaching and Imagination. November Edinburgh Preaching and Imagination Conference

2015 January – small piece published in Mark Tanner’s The Introvert Charismatic. February 2015 Input on Durham Preaching Conference: Preaching the Psalms: The Lord Enthroned on the Praises of Israel (led by Richard Briggs) April – submitted article for Preach Magazine ‘Foundations for Preaching’. April. Address to European Speech writers Conference: ‘Public Speech: Igniting the heart or losing the will to live?’ Why Imagination matters for Speechwriters’. April – submitted draft of book to SCM – due September 2015. Igniting the Heart: Imagination and Preaching. April – submitted a chapter for a book ‘Clergy in a Complex World’ – connecting imagination, teaching, learning and preaching. May – Continuing Ministerial Education, a day on preaching for deacons in the Newcastle and Durham Diocese. May - Seminar at the Christian Resources Exhibition: ‘The hallmarks of imaginative preaching’. May Launch of the Durham Preaching School. Weekend teaching preaching with 16 young preachers June Chester and Stoke Continuing Development in Ministry – Preaching Day International.

Marika Rose

Papers written ‘This Body of Death’ in Syndicate 1.4 (2014), 171-175. ‘The mystical and the material: Slavoj Žižek and the French reception of mysticism’ in Sophia 53 2 (2014), 231-240. Book in Progress A Theology of Failure: Ontology and Desire in Slavoj Žižek and Christian apophaticism Media Involvement ‘Computer Games and Spirituality’: workshop at Spiritus Festival, September 2015 ‘Is it wrong to seek miracles?’ Premier Radio debate, September 2015 ‘Can we keep our virtual identity virtuous?’ in idea magazine, December 2014 http://www.eauk.org/idea/virtuous-virtual-id.cfm ‘Angels and Cyborgs’: talk at Greenbelt festival, August 2015 Book reviews Review: Religion, Politics, and the Earth: The New Materialism. By Clayton Crockett and Jeffrey W. Robbins. In Political Theology 15.6 (2014), 566-568. Papers given at conferences ‘Machines of loving grace: angels, cyborgs and the liberation of work’, Association for the Continental Philosophy of Religion conference, Liverpool Hope University, July 2015. ‘But she is our mother: Christian genealogy and ecclesial identity’, Society for the Study of Theology

Annual Conference, University of Nottingham, April 2015 . ‘Washed in the blood: unclean hands and the question of complicity’, Complicity conference, Brighton University, March 2015. ‘Holy Mothers of God’, Radical Interpretations of the Bible Conference, Sheffield University, January 2015. Invited lecture: ‘“Beyond assertion and denial”: silence and speech in Žižek and mystical theology’, New Voices in Critical Theory: School of Arts, Languages and Cultures seminar series, Manchester University, February 2015. Invited respondent to Dr Scott A. Shalkowski, ‘No Cheating Allowed’, Northumbrian Triangle Colloquium on Philosophy of Religion and Philosophical Theology, Durham University, December 2014.

Matthew Funnell

Publications Stratford, W , Peirce, C., Paulatto, M , Funnell, M.J, Watts, A.B , Grevemeyer, I , and Bassett, D., (2015). Seismic velocity structure and deformation due to the collision of the Louisville Ridge with the Tonga-Kermadec Trench. Geophysical Journal International. Presentations/Papers given Crustal Structure and Flexural Characteristics of the Louisville Ridge and Tonga-Kermadec Subduction System (T53C-4694). Funnell, M.J., Peirce, C , Stratford, W , Watts, A.B., Grevemeyer, I. AGU Fall Meeting 2014.

Peter Hart

Conference Paper 2014 Ecclesciology and Ethnography, Durham, UK ‘Navigating Complex Relationships in Youth Ministry: The Role of Virtue Ethics’ Articles Hart, P (2014) Choice or Coercion: Indoctrination in Youth Ministry Cambridge: Grove Books Hart, P (2014) ‘Professional Boundaries in the Practice of Youth Ministry: An Ethnographic Study of the Limits of Relationships’ Journal of Youth and Theology 11(2)

David Wilkinson

Talks and sermons Long’s Chapel, Waynesville, NC, USA Bishop’s Study day for Clergy, Chelmsford Giggleswick School Real Lives Event, Chapeltown, Sheffield Liverpool Cathedral Exploring the God Question, Durham York and Hull District Presbyters Study Day The Londenderry Pub, Sunderland Christians in Science, Leeds

Academic Activity of the College

Marika Rose

Papers written ‘This Body of Death’ in Syndicate 1.4 (2014), 171-175. ‘The mystical and the material: Slavoj Žižek and the French reception of mysticism’ in Sophia 53.2 (2014), 231-240. Book in Progress A Theology of Failure: Ontology and Desire in Slavoj Žižek and Christian apophaticism Media Involvement ‘Computer Games and Spirituality’: workshop at Spiritus Festival, September 2015 ‘Is it wrong to seek miracles?’ Premier Radio debate, September 2015 ‘Can we keep our virtual identity virtuous?’ in idea magazine, December 2014 http://www.eauk.org/idea/virtuous-virtual-id.cfm ‘Angels and Cyborgs’: talk at Greenbelt festival, August 2015 Book reviews Review: Religion, Politics, and the Earth: The New Materialism. By Clayton Crockett and Jeffrey W. Robbins. In Political Theology 15.6 (2014), 566-568. Papers given at conferences ‘Machines of loving grace: angels, cyborgs and the liberation of work’, Association for the Continental Philosophy of Religion conference, Liverpool Hope University, July 2015. ‘But she is our mother: Christian genealogy and ecclesial identity’, Society for the Study of Theology

Matthew Funnell

Publications Stratford, W., Peirce, C., Paulatto, M., Funnell, M.J, Watts, A.B., Grevemeyer, I., and Bassett, D., (2015). Seismic velocity structure and deformation due to the collision of the Louisville Ridge with the Tonga-Kermadec Trench. Geophysical Journal International. Presentations/Papers given Crustal Structure and Flexural Characteristics of the Louisville Ridge and Tonga-Kermadec Subduction System (T53C-4694). Funnell, M.J., Peirce, C., Stratford, W., Watts, A.B., Grevemeyer, I. AGU Fall Meeting 2014.

Peter Hart

David Wilkinson

Academic Activity of the College

Hatfield Chapel Life to the Full Event, Claygate Sixth Form Conference, Ushaw College Covenant Community Methodist Church, Singapore Malaysia Baptist Seminary, Penang Biblical Graduate School of Theology, Singapore Methodist independent Schools’ Trust Annual Conference, Harrogate Science and Faith Network, Norwich Cathedral Kings Church June Project, Durham Exploring Faith, Hutton Magna Faraday Summer School, Cambridge God and the Big Bang Schools Project, Leyland Invited Lectures New Insights into the Universe, The Foundation for Evangelism, Lake Junaluska, NC, USA The Joseph Winter Lecture, Wakefield Time and Eternity, American Academy of Religion, San Diego Canon Scientist Lecture, St Albans Cathedral The Search for God in Cosmology, Friends of the Royal Astronomical Society Prayer, The Foundation for Evangelism, Lake Junaluska, NC, USA God and the Big Bang, Fort Smith, Arkansas, USA Other Participated in the Templeton Workshop, Chicago, Media Thought for the Day, BBC Radio 4 Daily Service, BBC Radio 4 A large number of local and national radio interviews on a variety of subjects, including theology, science and popular culture Publications D. Wilkinson, (2015) When I pray what does God do?, Oxford, Monarch. D. Wilkinson, (2014) From Beginning to End: The Scientific Relevance of Creation and New Creation. In Faith and the Marvelous Progress of Science, ed. B. Leahy, New York, New City Press, pp. 171-188 D. Wilkinson, (2014). Towards a common dialogue: The contribution of the humanities to science education and scientific discovery Journal of the NUS Teaching Academy, 4(1) 11-17. http://www.nus.edu.sg/teachingacademy/article/ towards-a -common-dialogue-the-contributionof-the-humanities-to-scence-education-and-scientific-discovery/#sthash.yLYA2 Dx4.dpuf D. Wilkinson, (2014) Science and Apologetics Christians in Science Thinking About series http://www.cis.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2011/10/Science-and-Apologetics.pdf D. Wilkinson, (2014). Is Belief in Miracles Reasonable in a Scientific Age?

Academic Activity of the College

In Challenging Religious Issues, Issue 5 Summer 2014, pp. 8-12. D. Wilkinson, (2015) Proofs of the divine power? Temple Chevallier and the design argument in the 19th century Scottish Journal of Theology, 68, issue 1, pp. 34-42 My genes are shared with a cauliflower, so what does it mean to be human? D. Wilkinson, 2014. RE Today, 32, No 1, 10-12. What happens when I pray – Modern science opens up the question D. Wilkinson, 2015. Reform Magazine, July/August, 19-20 The origin and end of the Universe: A challenge for Christianity D. Wilkinson, 2015. In Towards an Integration of Science and Theology? Ed. E Priest, Grosvenor Essay No 11, The Doctrine Commission of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Edinburgh.

Professor Pete Ward

Publications this academic year: Ward, P. Blueprint Ecclesiology and the Lived: Normativity as a Perilous Faithfulness, Ecclesial Practices in Ecclesial Practices Vol 2 Issues 1 (2015) Dunlop, S. and Ward,P. Narrated Photography: Visual Representation of the Sacred Among Young Polish Migrants in England FIR 9.1 (2014) pp30–52 Fieldwork in Religion (print) ISSN 1743–0615 Percy, M. and Ward, P. The Wisdom of the Spirit: Gospel, Church and Culture (Aldershot: Ashgate) (2014) Ward, P ‘When God’s Fall (Off their Bike)’ in Mahon, J. Media Religion and Culture (London: Routledge) (2014) Papers Given The Indochina Express: Using genetics to trace human population movements in the Sundan Islands. Investigating global variation and distribution of porcine the MC1R/E gene. Lectures University of Connecticut, Visiting Lecturer "Bioarchaeology, Paleogenomics, and Ancient DNA; How Molecules can Unravel the Mystery of Human Origins.” “Paleogenomics and De-Extinction; Revival, Resurrection, or Reconstruction?"

Rachel Shah

Papers given at conferences Shah, R. (2015) 'Productive Frustrations, Frustrating Production', paper given at ASA's annual conference: Symbiotic anthropologies: theoretical commensalities and methodological mutualisms. University of Exeter, Exeter, 13-16 April. Shah, R. (2015) 'Understanding Schooling in Terms Beyond Its Own', Where Will Your Research Take Us? paper given at Durham Anthropology's annual postgraduate conference. University of Durham, Durham, 29 April. Won "Best Speaker" Award. Shah, R. (2015) 'Imagined Embodied Experiences of Social Change in Papua, Indonesia', Paper to be given at ESFO annual conference: Europe and the Pacific. Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre, Brussels, 24-27 June.

Peace, and the Politics of Hermeneutics’, in R. Timothy McLay (ed.), The Temple in Text and Tradition: A Festschrift in Honour of Robert Hayward (Library of Second Temple Studies Series 83; London: Bloomsbury, 2015), 113-39 ‘Lost (and Found) in a Textual World: The Experience of Reading the Bible and David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest’, Glass 27 (2015), 44-50 ‘Constructing the Bible’s Readers: From “Thin Descriptions” to “Thick Portraits”’, in Régis Burnet, Didier Luciani and Geert van Oyen (eds.), Le Lecteur. Sixième Colloque International du RRENAB (BETL 273; Leuven: Peeters, 2015), 69-92 ‘Biblical Hermeneutics and Practical Theology: Method and Truth in Context’, Anglican Theological Review 97 (2015), 201-17 ‘New Directions in Teaching Scripture to those Training for Ministry’, Theology 118 (2015), 250-57 Books in Progress The Figure in the Wilderness: Christian Readings in the Book of Numbers, 110,000 word monograph on theological interpretation, completed and submitted.

Rebecca Bouveng

Publication Rebecca Bouveng, ‘What Bishops Really Think about Science: Views on Science and Religion Among Senior Christian Leaders in the UK’, The International Journal of Science in Society, Volume 5, Issue 3, November 2014, pp.1-11. Conference attended 23 - 25 June 2014, ‘The Big Bang and the interfaces of knowledge: towards a common understanding of Truth?’, Chateau de Divonne, France An invitation-only conference organised by CERN and Wilton Park, the Executive Agency of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office which offered scientists, theologians and philosophers the opportunity to engage in off-the-record dialogue. www.wiltonpark.org.uk/conference/wp1316/

Richard Briggs

Lecturer in Old Testament; Director of Biblical Studies – Cranmer Hall Publications ‘On “Seeing” what God is “Saying”: Rereading Biblical Narrative in Dialogue with Kevin Vanhoozer’s Remythologizing Theology’, Southeastern Theological Review 5 (2014), 61-82 ‘“These are the Days of Elijah”: The Hermeneutical Move from “Applying the Text” to “Living in its World”’, Journal of Theological Interpretation 8 (2014), 157-74 ‘Review Article: Using the Bible in Practical Theology (Zoë Bennett)’ [with Zoë Bennett], Theology and Ministry: An Online Journal 3 (2014), 7.1-9 ‘The Zeal of Readers in Defence and in Dissent: Phinehas’ Spear, the Covenant of

The Rt Revd Dr David Thomson

During my time as Visiting Fellow this term I have read and engaged widely in conversations about the relationship between science and religion, in order to equip my own ministry in the science-rich Cambridge area but also to support a more general programme in the Church of England to encourage a more creative and integrated relationship between these two important aspects of life. I have also been engaged with the Ordered Universe Project based in Durham which brings academics from many disciplines together round the writings of the thirteenth-century bishop-scientist Robert Grosseteste. In particular I have prepared a new edition for the project of a unique fifteenth-century treatise in English on the liberal arts which draws heavily and surprisingly on Grosseteste’s work, and also includes the earliest known writing on articulatory phonetics in English. More generally, working on the project encourages me in recovering the medieval insight that the sciences are not obstacles to faith but God-given rungs in a ladder by which we can understand and restore order to the universe around us.

Academic Activity of the College

Rachel Shah

Rebecca Bouveng

Richard Briggs

The Rt Revd Dr David Thomson

Obituaries Richard John Turner

Born on 10 May 1987. Passed away on Tuesday 3 March 2015 aged 27 years. Dear son of Marilyn and John, brother to Elizabeth and Andrew. The funeral service took place on Wednesday 25th March at Wyre Forest Crematorium.

Ven Leslie Stanbridge

Died peacefully at home, on Thursday 19 March. Leslie trained at St. John’s College, Durham, and was ordained priest in 1950. After serving his Curacy in the Diocese of Rochester, he returned to the North East and to St. John’s College in 1951, and served as both Tutor and from 1952, as Chaplain until 1955. In 1955, Leslie was appointed as Vicar of St. Martin’s, Kingston on Hull – the beginning of a long and distinguished ministry in the Diocese of York. Leslie left St. Martin’s in 1964, moving on to Cottingham where he served as Rector until 1972. During this time, Leslie was also appointed in 1968 as a Canon of York and in 1970 as Rural Dean of

Academic Activity of the College

Obituaries

Please contact johns.alumni@durham.ac.uk to notify us of an obituary you would like to see included.

Hull. He subsequently served as Warden of Readers, and as Archdeacon of York from 1972 until 1988, when he retired from full-time ministry. In what was, by any assessment, a notably active “retirement”, Leslie continued to provide valuable service to York Minster, both in the role of Succentor Canonicum, to which he was appointed in 1988, and as a Canon of York in the Minster’s governing body – serving in the latter role for a grand total of 32 years before he stood down in 2000, at the age of 80. Leslie’s Requiem Eucharist (including the Commendation and Committal) was held in York Minster on Monday 30 March.

Malcolm Winterburn,

Class of '77. Died on 6 July 2015. An engineer through and through - London Underground development and inventing Lost Customer Hours gave him great satisfaction in having made a difference through engineering. A kind, generous man with a life-leading faith. His wisdom, sharing of his home, fun and kindness changed many lives. Respected by all, greatly missed.

60 John’s

60’s

The dat ad chose we e de f an t m cl As it was, a com ely quiet b t pl warm and sunny Durham greeted those of the who returned – in considerable numbers – to one of a succession of reunions that the College organises to keep us all in touch with it, something far more potent than any amount of newsletters or journals can ever be, much appreciated as they are.

Reunion

For most of us it was probably not our first return visit, as 45-55 years had elapsed since our graduation, but a poignant reminder of some who wouldn’t be present was a thoughtfully placed notice, along with other memorabilia, of one of these: Mike Harris – who died whilst still an undergraduate. (An updated list of deceased OJs from the Sixties currently totals 58.) On a more cheerful note, we found a college in many ways unrecognisable from 50 years ago – as the current College Principal, David Wilkinson (the first Methodist and so far the only non-Anglican, to hold this post), was careful to remind us. It would be superfluous to bring up the corny old topic of food (memories of Major Fanshaw’s Steak notwithstanding) but, said David, there was now a choice of four different hot dishes at lunch. Besides this important detail of College life, there were more non-theologians than theologians, about 30% of each year achieved a First, Chapel was no longer compulsory but you needed to arrive early to get a seat at Morning Prayer, while John’s was first-placed in student satisfaction in the University. But some things were unchanged: the College was still committed to community, to service, to

Reunions

60 John’s

60’s

The date had obviously been carefully chosen. A week earlier would have made for an untimely clash with the annual Miners’ Gala. As it was, a comparatively quiet but pleasantly warm and sunny Durham greeted those of the Sixties who returned – in considerable numbers – to one of a succession of reunions that the College organises to keep us all in touch with it, something far more potent than any amount of newsletters or journals can ever be, much appreciated as they are.

Reunion

excellence, and to a Christian ethos.

On a more cheerful note, we found a college in many ways unrecognisable from 50 years ago – as the current College Principal, David Wilkinson (the first Methodist and so far the only non-Anglican, to hold this post), was careful to remind us. It would be superfluous to bring up the corny old topic of food (memories of Major Fanshaw’s Steak notwithstanding) but, said David, there was now a choice of four different hot dishes at lunch. Besides this important detail of College life, there were more non-theologians than theologians, about 30% of each year achieved a First, Chapel was no longer compulsory but you needed to arrive early to get a seat at Morning Prayer, while John’s was first-placed in student satisfaction in the University. But some things were unchanged: the College was still committed to community, to service, to

Douglas Davies, one of our contemporaries and a longstanding member of the renamed Department of Theology & Religion, updated a capacity crowd – in the stately surroundings of the first-floor Tristram Room just off what was once the Principal’s flat – on developments in that department. Then, in a carefully-crafted talk after lunch, we were also transported back to the 1960s by former John’s tutor Paul Conder, who, in surveying the (often depressing) state of the Church, quoted the words of a former Durham bishop, Lightfoot, who claimed the study of history was the best cordial for the drooping spirit, and from the Calvinist theologian Theodore Beza: ‘The Church is an anvil which has worn out many hammers’. He concluded with words from the Collect of the College’s patron saint ‘…that love of the

Reunions

brethren [and now also sisters] and all sound learning may ever flow and prosper here’. An aspiration indeed, and one we would all wish to share. In all, it was an immensely fulfilling day. Relationships were renewed (or immediately revived) on meeting former contemporaries. And some of us even recognised one another! Thanks are due to John Seagrave and Alan Middleton for organising the occasion – and to members of the college staff involved. Apart from David Wilkinson, these included Sue Hobson as Domestic and Conference Manager, Lynne Ramage as Housekeeper, and their assistants Rhiannon Hobson, David Moger, Lucy Cook and Saskia Burbach. Continuing links with OJs are carefully fostered by the St. John’s Development Manager, Charlotte Gilham-Grant.

John’s Firstly, on behalf of everyone who attended the five years on reunion in September, I would like to sincerely thank all of the St. John’s College staff and pupils who made the event run so smoothly and enjoyably. We all had a fantastic time, and that was down to the work of everyone at Johns. After a meal in Spags, which hasn’t changed a bit since 2010, we began to congregate in the College bar on Friday evening to catch up and reminisce. It wasn’t

5 Years On Reunion surprising to find that our peers were working in all areas of society, from education to politics to physiotherapy. John’s has always encouraged its students to achieve their full potential, and it was clear that ethos has extended into our adult lives. Saturday began with brunch in the much changed Haughton Dining room and then everyone set off to explore Durham and the changes around college. Although we mourn the loss of Cranmer lawn, Reunions

5 Years On Reunion surprising to find that our peers Article continues on next page were working in all areas of society, from education to politics to physiotherapy. John’s has always encouraged its students to achieve their full potential, and it was clear that ethos has extended into our adult lives. Saturday began with brunch in the much changed Haughton Dining room and then everyone set off to explore Durham and the changes around college. Although we mourn the loss of Cranmer lawn, Reunions

the new accommodation block is very impressive, and it was agreed the new bar overspill area is a great and much needed addition! Several litres of coffee and cake later, with our calf muscles aching from climbing up and down Durham’s many hills, we met on Linton Lawn, headed to the front steps for the reunion photo and sat down to a fantastic black tie formal. Thank you to the catering staff and to David Wilkinson for his speech, it was great to hear all of the College’s news, and hear where John’s is heading in the future. Next, back to the bar where we spent a brilliant evening to a

Reunions

backdrop of the chart-toppers of 2007-2010. Thank you to the conference team for opening up, serving all evening and acting as our very patient DJs. This gave everyone further opportunity to hear each other’s news, in the wonderful, cosy atmosphere of the bar we all know and love! A few intrepid explorers made it to Love Shack, just as terrible as ever, before calling it a night. Following another delicious brunch on Sunday we headed home (mostly via another coffee shop) after a fantastic weekend. We look forward to the next one! Emma Butler

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