Electronic Precinct - January 1998

New University Chaplain

The Reverend John Scott a former minister to three Presbyterian churches in Co Mayo in the west of Ireland, has been appointed as Chaplain to the University by the United Reformed Church. He succeeds the Reverend Sandra Dears, who moved to a new position some time ago, and like Sandra, he divides h is time between this University and the Liverpool John Moore's University where he also serves as Chaplain.

'The United Reformed Church is a small denomination on the English scene,' John explained, 'but the wider reformed tradition to which it belongs is the largest single strand of Protestant Christianity worldwide. For me, it stands for an open and questioning approach to faith and life and a positive engagement with diversity. We believe in partnership between the churches, in dialogue between Christianity and other faith communities and in co-operation with, and learning from, those who feel they can work with us.'

'I want to bring that attitude to bear in contacts and conversations throughout the University,' he added. 'The church has appointed me knowing that the number of URC members here does not justify the resources involved, in the hope that through me the church can be involved in listening and learni ng, and in standing alongside staff and students under pressure.'

'The chaplains from the other churches in the Joint Christian Chaplaincies have been welcoming. It's still quite early in my time here,' John added, and it takes time to get familiar with two large universities.'

'Although I've been involved in higher education over the years,' he says, 'my previous experience of institutional chaplaincy was as an intern chaplain in the New York State Prison System. How relevant that will prove to be remains to be seen!'.

John can be contacted via the Catholic Chaplaincy, by phone on (0151) 475 5060 or at johnscott@pobox.com.