FROM THE CHAPLAIN

It’s almost inconceivable that it was only a year ago that we invited - and packed into Chapel - around twenty visitors from our sister College, St Edmund Hall, for a wonderful joint Choral Evensong, followed by dinner together. That visit was in early February 2020 and so dated BCE (Before COVID Era).

Well into the CE, Easter Term 2020 was quite unlike any other term before it, with students who had left for vacation not returning to residence in College and with learning and assessment online. The chaplaincy also went online, with pastoral conversations via video link and a new series of ‘Thought from the Chaplain’ videos uploaded to Youtube, alongside some video interviews by the Chaplain of students making a difference. With the arrival of Michaelmas Term, it was a joy to be able to welcome freshers and returning students, including at actual inperson gatherings (formally risk assessed and physically distanced). The Chaplain’s start of term drinks party became the hottest ticket going and even the incessant drizzle didn’t put off attendees for this outdoor gathering. At the start of term, services also had to be ticketed because the socially distanced choir left room for just six congregation members. Later in term, these faithful few were completely excluded when tightened restrictions meant we were not allowed a congregation at all. Instead, newly installed recording equipment meant that Sunday services could find a new audience (a dispersed congregation, if you pardon the oxymoron) via the new Chapel YouTube channel. The Chapel Choir, ably led by the Director of Music, Catherine Groom, and accompanied by our wonderful Organ Scholars, have adjusted superbly and the videos of services online are well worth watching on their account alone.

This year has been challenging for all members of Fitzwilliam: students, Fellows, staff and alumni. I’m grateful to all who support me in my role and the aims of the chaplaincy to encourage and care for all members of our College, in good times and bad.

Graham Stevenson

Chaplain

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The Chaplain has led the way with impressive video editing and a rapid move to online services and reflections. You can watch all of Graham’s videos on YouTube - click on the pictures to get a taste.