Portsmouth Uni Chaplaincy

09/07/2022

07/01/2022

To all our followers and those who read and like our posts:
UOP Chaplaincy have been having issues with this FaceBook account since before the onset of Covid 19.
Because of this we will be using Instagram instead.
We hope you can continue to keep up with us by following the link below-
https://www.instagram.com/uop.chaplaincy/
However if you can't please email us at- [email protected]
We apologise for any inconvenience this causes and would like to thank you all for your support.
See you all on IG!
Remember if you need a Chaplain, we are always available. Check out our website-
https://www.port.ac.uk/student-life/guidance-and-support/chaplaincy
Bye for now and take care.
Love and blessings
UOP Chaplaincy Team

06/01/2022

Epiphany is today’s Feast Day for Christians, which reminds us of the three Magi (or Wise men)- Without apparent faith, but with a deep longing and pursuit of truth and light in life. The Gospel of Matthew tells us that they embarked on a journey from the ‘East’ to Jerusalem, guided by the stars. A special star led them to Bethlehem, and when they found Jesus they recognised in Him what they were looking for.

These wise men were also people of discernment; their wisdom guided them to be critical and not to follow evil persuasions from King Herod.

In this beginning of 2022, may we too be guided by our deep and true longings and be people of discernment, learning to choose good and reject evil ways.

Sr. Margarida Londral
Catholic university chaplain

02/01/2022

https://reformjudaism.org/blog/jewish-take-new-years-resolutions?j=8475871&sfmc_sub=247946022&l=105680_HTML&u=220708054&mid=1489142&jb=16003&utm_medium=email&utm_content=2021_12_30

New Year's Day and the traditional resolutions that accompany it invite us to take stock of our lives. Are we living our lives to the fullest? Can we imagine a future in which the commitments we make for ourselves (e.g., healthier habits around eating and exercise) actually come true? What will it t...

01/01/2022

HOGMANAY: NEW YEAR’S GIFT

At this special time, as we say goodbye to 2021 and welcome in 2022, we would like join with the spirit of the Hogmanay celebrations that take place each New Year in Scotland. Although the origin of this word is unclear, it is believed to come from the French word “hoginane” meaning ‘last day of the year’ or ‘New year’s gift”.

“New year’s gift” could seem a strange name for this time, in the midst of all that we are living we may well ask “What do I have to celebrate?” However, even amidst these uncertain times and our concerns we could take some time to reflect and ponder on the gift of our lives and the lives of our loved ones.
Perhaps, during this last year, we have lost someone we loved and this time is difficult for us, this could be a space to remember them to our hearts and minds.

Usually Hogmanay is celebrated with big events and gatherings, which this year have had to be cancelled due to the Covid pandemic but there are still some traditions associated with Hogmanay, such as ‘the First footing’, 'The Auld Lang’, and 'The welcoming of the New Year’ that may help us symbolically to go beyond a physical place, party or big gathering and lead us to grow in gratitude.
Merriam Webster defines gratitude as the state of being grateful. It is more than just an emotion for it shapes our thinking and actions and is made up of components of our past, present and future.

In Hogmanay we discover a combination of these components: past, present, and future impregnated by gratefulness. Past, present, and future become full of meaning when we live our lives looking at the goodness which surrounds us. Many times, our traditions show us a way to celebrate life in our families, cultures, and countries.

Here we give a brief explanation of some of the traditions connected with “hoginane”.
‘The first footing’ refers to the first person to cross the threshold after midnight on New Year Day, bringing gifts as a token of luck for the coming year.
‘The Auld Lang’ refers to the moment when people sing immediately after midnight remembering good friends. ‘The welcoming of the New Year’ consists in the opening of the front doors of the house after the sound of bells and saying: ‘Welcome’.
All of these traditions show me a way to express in gestures the attitude of gratitude for what people have brought to my life and also how to think about the good opportunities the next year could bring.

We here in the Chaplaincy wish all of you a Happy New Year, and especially to all our Scottish friends a Happy Hogmanay.

Yadira.

25/12/2021

Christmas and New year Message by
Dr Amra Bone
It is the end of the year, many of us feeling tired and looking forward to having a break. This is a gloomy and dreary time of the year, we need something or someone to cheer us up. Hey it is Christmas! No more work! Jingle bells jingle bells jingle all the way! We can do some shopping! Time to have some fun with family and friends.
Some people are weary of whole Shebang to do with Christmas. Others question is it truly in December- the birth of Jesus (peace be upon him) and isn’t Santa Claus clad in red gown from the Coca Cola advert! Yet others remind us it is to do with the Winter Solstice, to celebrate this people had a mid-winter festival, the sun 'winning' over the darkness of winter.
Whatever the case may be however we must not forget that for our Christian brothers and sisters this time is precious celebrating Jesus (peace be upon him) and his message of peace, love and Joy. We as Muslims celebrate his life and teachings as a mighty messenger of God who gave the message of love and peace according to the Quran.
I am married to a Quaker Muslim and I often spend time with my in laws during this period. For my in laws it is a family time giving each other presents which are much needed and appreciated. We all have a wonderful meal together, Connie my mother in law whom I remember with fondness she was a sweet lady, may God bless her, she was a wonderful cook, Connie would roast a Halal Turkey along with roasted and steamed vegetables and of course not forgetting the delicious gravy.
We normally begin with a short prayer before the meal as Muslims, however joining in with my husband’s family tradition we would close our eyes and hold each other’s hands and say our prayers quietly very much a Quaker tradition, a real family affair. Our children have always enjoy playing board games after the meal. My husband is often found singing in the corner of the living room along with his sisters and others. My father in-law would rush to join them. Truly a musical family! What a Joy!
We may come from different cultural or religious traditions but wishing each other happiness and peace and sharing food is at the core of Islamic tradition valuing our fellow human beings.
I wish you all happiness joy and peace, Merry Christmas for whatever reason you may celebrate Christmas, and if you don’t then enjoy your holidays! Don’t forget your new year resolutions, one of those should be working hard to get the top grades! A Happy new year to you all and I look forward to seeing you in the new year fully refreshed.

24/12/2021

Christmas Interrupted!

I wonder what kind of Christmas you will have this year.

All of us have our own expectations of what makes Christmas ‘Christmas’. For some it is seeing family, for others it’s the Queen’s Speech, for others it is the traditional Christmas dinner, and for still others it is the giving and receiving of presents.

I suspect that all of us have had to adjust our expectations, perhaps for a second time, because of the Covid pandemic. All the best laid plans, as the poet said.

The thing about Christmas is that it is itself an interruption, as God breaks in and reveals himself in a fragile human life. God’s coming does not conform to well-established patterns, it does not meet human expectations, but rather throws them into confusion, as we discover that God is always the other, whose thoughts and ways (as the prophet Isaiah had written centuries before) are higher than ours.

It might surprise you to know that I think this is good news. You might even disagree. But imagine what we’re saying if we think things should always follow the established patterns or only meet our expectations. Wouldn’t we be stuck in a world where nothing can change? Wouldn’t we be left without the possibility that things could be different?

For the world’s poorest, for the most vulnerable, for those who get left out or left behind, for those suffering injustice, for those living with the fear of an uncertain future (whether that’s because of Covid or Climate Change or even more personal circumstances), the God who interrupts our world in Jesus offers the possibility that things don’t have to stay the way they are, that things can be different, or as Christians would say, that there is hope.

As I ponder why I am a Christian, why I have chosen to follow this Jesus, I think it is partly because of this hope. It doesn’t have to be this way. It won’t always be this way.

Whatever you do this Christmas, I pray that you stay well, but also that you might know something of the hope that God offers to the world and to you. So, happy Christmas and here’s to a new year in which things aren’t just all the same!

God bless,
Ashley

Photo by Dan Kiefer on Unsplash

17/12/2021

This Sunday is The 4th Sunday in Advent

This week I would like to write a short reflection about Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin.

As Christmas is approaching, many of us are probably writing Christmas cards and buying gifts to give to people we appreciate. Despite all the uncertainties of this present time, we may also be longing to spend some time with our families; or, maybe we are fearing the Christmas family gathering. Mary’s family situation was not without complications and uncertainties either.

Mary didn’t feel an initial support from Joseph. On the other hand, she knew that her older cousin Elizabeth was pregnant and struggled with her husband about which name to give to the child. Yet, Elizabeth patiently loved and trusted God. She was the one whom Mary sought to find a trustworthy support and encouragement to live and be faithful to God’s calling. Who do we seek when we need reliable support or wise advice? Perhaps we seek out a family member or a friend or someone part of your faith community for support. We hope that you can also think of us, chaplains, as a good resource for support and encouragement!

Mary also gave support to Elizabeth as she was an old, pregnant woman, whose husband lost his ability to speak unexpectedly.

The spirituality of Advent invites us to ponder this question: who do I know in need of support? Perhaps we can take some time to make a phone call and be a listening, friendly ear, even meet with that person or simply write and send her/him a card.

May the spirit of generosity and gratitude dwell in us and guide us during this Advent and Christmas time.

Blessings,

Margarida

13/12/2021

The 3rd Sunday in Advent-
This week it is my turn to write a brief reflection about Mary.
As I am writing this, we have been again confronted with renewed uncertainties around the pandemic.
Some of us may think: I have told you so, others may feel quite concerned, worried or even afraid.
When we think of Mary at this time of the year, we very likely call the first chapters of Luke's gospel to mind. We may think of Luke's description of the annunciation.
I wonder how Mary felt., as the archangel Gabriel turned up: afraid, puzzled, petrified or curious?
A lot of the translations tell us that she was greatly troubled but actually in the Greek text we can read that she was confused. Confused by the words of the angel's greeting. Well, can you blame her?
Being confused allows Mary to listen, maybe with a healthy portion of disbelief, and to ask questions.
To me, this seems like a young woman, who is equipped with curiosity and a deep faith, open to accept God's call.
Mary knew that following this call would be fraught with difficulty, pain but also joy.
Imagine the shame she may have felt, when her pregnancy became visible. I wonder whether neighbours, even her family, shunned her. According to Luke's gospel, Joseph considered it.
Yet, despite all this, even before the angel leaves her, Mary responds to God's call with a "yes".
Life comes with many uncertainties, hurdles, pain 'and joys. We don't really know what our futures hold and neither did Mary.
Mary did not accept her future passively or with a false sense of hope but trust that God would be with her in all of her life's twists and turns. This trust gave her the strength to say yes to God.
I wish you trust, faith and hope this Christmas.
Blessings, Connie

08/12/2021

The Chaplains will be joining the university choir and band for Christmas carol singing this afternoon. We hope you join us.

The chaplaincy space will be also closed all day tomorrow due to staff training.

If you require urgent assistance from a chaplain please contact the security lodge .