The Chapel

Eleanor Lancelot, Assistant Chaplain

This academic year has seen the life of the Chapel return to its usual pattern of in-person services and events, while continuing to engage a wider community via online streaming of Sunday Evensongs. It has been a pleasure to open our doors again to members of the public and to alumni, who form an integral part of our community, to join our rhythm of worship. The year has seen a diverse group of visiting speakers for our Sunday evening addresses. Former Archbishop of Canterbury, The Rt Revd and Rt Hon The Lord Williams of Oystermouth began our Michaelmas series entitled ‘Money, Sex, Power ’ , which drew a congregation of over 200 people. We seek to maintain an ethos of welcome and flourishing, and our mission is always that the Chapel is a space in which students, Fellows and staff can explore life ’ s big questions, their identity, and their place in the wider world. Our recommended read for the term was The Book of Queer Prophets, and a group met weekly to explore the relationships between sexuality, religion, identity, power, vocation and belonging. In November, the College ’ s faith societies came together for an interfaith dinner to get to know each other, and build understanding and awareness. Michaelmas also saw the return of our Tuesday Evensong ‘Nanosermons ’ : short, punchy talks delivered by a range of students on a topic of their choice.

In Lent Term, we were joined by speakers who work in charity and the Third Sector, who explored the work of a number of charities linked to the College and to Cambridge (including Abbey People, Red Hen and Lyn ’ s House) and reflected critically on the history and future of the charitable sector. It was also a pleasure to meet members of the Salmon Youth Centre for discussion and dinner, and to learn more about this organisation that seeks to inspire young people living in inner city London to reach their potential and contribute positively to the communities in which they live. The Term culminated with two services of Choral Evensong recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 3 – it was a privilege to share our worship with the programme ’ s broad following.

The Chapel seeks to be a ‘ community within a community ’ ; a space which engages with a broad range of the College and the wider public. Easter Term saw two joint events: with Muslim students for Iftar, the breaking of the daily Ramadan fast, and with Jesus College Jewish Society for Lag B’Omer, coming together for food and fellowship by the light of a bonfire. Earlier in the term, we gathered for a Vigil in Chapel for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBiT). Our year of Sunday Evensong addresses culminated with a series entitled ‘Scandalous ’ , in which speakers of Jewish and Christian faiths explored some of the most unfamiliar and difficult texts from the Scriptures, and offered ways of reading them which engage with real-world contemporary issues. Claire Foster-Gilbert, Visiting Fellow at Jesus and Director of the Westminster Abbey Institute, led an illuminating discussion on how Julian of Norwich, a 14th century mystic, can influence our ecology. Students took a breather

from revision and embraced beautiful green spaces with Easter ’ s Chapel outing to Wimpole Hall. It was also a pleasure to welcome back members of the College ’ s Livings, and to continue building on these connections as we seek to support parishes and their local ministry in East Anglia and beyond. Towards the end of term, the Bishop of Ely, The Rt Revd Stephen Conway, presided at a service of confirmation and baptism in Chapel at which we celebrated this step in faith made by students and choristers, some of our youngest members of the Choir.

Chapel collections have raised money for UNICEF, Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ), Abbey People (Cambridge), The Children ’ s Society, Red Hen (Cambridge) and Lyn ’ s House (Cambridge), many of whom we learned more about in Lent’ s address series. We are grateful for all donations, which enable us to fulfil our vocation to care for those who are vulnerable and in need.

This year ’ s pattern of worship and welcome offered by the Chapel would not have been possible without the commitment and camaraderie of the Chapel team. Our thanks go to our brilliant Chapel Clerks and Secretaries, who are fundamental in maintaining the Chapel’ s ethos of care and community. Grateful thanks go also to the Secretary to the Dean, Owen Elsley; former Choir and Chapel Office Coordinator, Alice Kane; to Richard Pinel, Director of Music; to our organ scholars Drew Sellis and Christopher Too; and last but by no means least to the Choir. n