Chaplaincy

Chaplaincy Staff

Chaplain to the University
Reverend Dr. Carolyn Kelly
You Tube video link

Telephone: +44 (0) 141 330 4160
Email: Chaplain@glasgow.ac.uk

Carolyn was appointed as Chaplain to the University in early 2020, having arrived from New Zealand, where she led the chaplaincy team at the University of Auckland and was an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church. Her academic studies have included geography, literature, and divinity in which she completed a PhD at the University of Aberdeen. With three children now grown and spread across the world, she lives with her husband in Glasgow and is looking forward to exploring the crannies of this city and the wild places beyond.

Assistant Chaplain
Reverend Roz Lawson

Telephone: +44 (0) 141 330 1888
Email: roz.lawson@glasgow.ac.uk

Roz has been working in the Inter-faith Chaplaincy team since August 2021 as a Baptist Chaplain. She graduated from her Bachelor of Divinity in Theology with Pastoral Studies at the Scottish Baptist College in July 2022 and was ordained in December 2022. Roz’s first degree in English Literature and Sociology was from the University of Glasgow and she also has a Masters in Modern Literature and Culture from the University of York. She was involved in academic research support at UoG for a decade – in both the central Research Support Office and the College of Social Sciences – so she just can’t stay away from her alma mater! She loves inter-faith dialogue, (sc)rolling news, thoughtful conversations, languages and books.

Chaplaincy Secretary
Mrs Joan Keenan

Telephone: +44 (0) 141 330 5419
Mobile:  +44 (0)07977742056
Email: joan.keenan@glasgow.ac.uk 

Honorary Chaplains

 

Honorary Church of Scotland Chaplain 
Reverend Professor Roger Sturrock
You Tube video link
Email: rsturrock@churchofscotland.org.uk
Telephone:+44 (0) 141 339 0454 

Roger Sturrock has held the McLeod/Arthritis and Rheumatism Council Chair of Rheumatology since 1990. Upon retirement, he obtained a Bachelor of Divinity from the University of Glasgow and was ordained in June of 2014. He is currently assistant minister in the Wellington Church which hopes to serve as the Church of Scotland Chaplaincy for the University of Glasgow, working with students in a variety of ways, and assisting in the development of provision for them.

 

Honorary Church of Scotland Chaplain 
Reverend Dr Richard Baxter
Email: rbaxter@churchofscotland.org.uk
Telephone:+44 (0) 07958 541418 

Richard is a Church of Scotland minister, based at Wellington Church on South Parks Avenue. He studied history, then worked as a tax inspector and tax consultant before training for ministry. After nineteen years in Fife and six years in Lochaber, he moved to Glasgow in 2022, and is gradually making the West Highland to West End transition. Richard is happy to offer support to people of any background, and to be available to students and staff for conversation, questions, discussion and coffee.

 

Honorary Hindu Chaplain
Mr. Srihari Vallabhajousula
You Tube video link

Mobile: +44 (0) 7801656731
Email: hindus@glasgow.ac.uk

Srihari volunteers as a priest at the Hindu Temple of Scotland and works as a surgeon in the NHS. He loves to cycle to raise funds for local charitable causes. Srihari is delighted to be part of the Interfaith Chaplaincy team and serves people of all faiths or none.

 

Honorary Humanist Chaplain
Mandy Evans-Ewing
You Tube video link

Mobile: +44 (0) 783 636 6291
Email: humanists@glasgow.ac.uk

Honorary Chaplain to the University since 2005 offering pastoral care and support to the whole university community from a Humanist perspective. Humanist Society Scotland Celebrant for over 19 years. Mandy has a background and wide experience in Social Work; Personal, Group, Organisational and Community Development; the Arts; promoting Equality, Diversity and Interfaith relations; and Environmental Activism.
 

Honorary Jewish Chaplains
Rabbi Eliran Shabo
Email: eliran@mychaplaincy.co.uk 
Mobile: +44(0) 07570372557

Ayalah Shabo
Email:  ayalah@mychaplaincy.co.uk
Mobile: +44(0) 07570372586

Facebook group: Glasgow J-Soc 

Rabbi Eliran and Ayalah were both born in Israel and now live in Edinburgh. They previously lived in Athens, Greece where Rabbi Eliran served as the Junior Rabbi of Athens and led the Jewish Studies program for highschool students, and Ayalah promoted collaborations between the local and Israeli communities. Rabbi Eliran and Ayalah offer support and guidance to Jewish students.

 

Honorary LGBTQ+ Chaplain
Rev Linda Haggerstone
You Tube video link

Mobile : +44 (0) 07585 852 627
Email : lgbtqplus-chaplain@glasgow.ac.uk

I‘m part of the LGBTQ+ community and a person of faith. I usually describe myself as a Christo-Pagan Druid, but my faith lies beyond such specific boundaries, being intersectional, open-hearted and inclusive in both focus and character. I hope to lead by example whenever possible and provide a visible presence for others in my community.

Honorary Muslim Chaplain
Shoket Aksi
You Tube video link

Mobile: +44 (0) 788 622 1334
Email: muslimchaplain@glasgow.ac.uk

GUMSA Facebook 

Shoket is a Youth worker, concentrating on young offenders. Shoket’s studies took him to Saudi Arabia, France and the UK.

Honorary Roman Catholic Chaplain
Reverend Canon Gerard Conroy

Telephone: +44 (0) 141 339 4315
Email: rcchaplaincy@glasgow.ac.uk
Glasgow University Catholic Association Website

Canon Gerry was born in Broxburn, Scotland in 1958.

After secondary school, he went to Rome for studies and seminary training in 1976 where he graduated in Philosophy (Ph.B) at the Gregorian University and S.T.B in Theology. He was ordained in 1982.
After completing a Licence in Biblical Studies at the Biblical Institute in Rome, he returned to Scotland in 1985 when he was appointed assistant priest at St Peter’s in Partick and later, as part time lecturer, at the former Seminary in Bearsden. In 1989 he was assigned full time to the Seminary.
In 1994 he was appointed to the Scots College in Rome as Spiritual Director to the students and completed a Licence in Spiritual Theology. On his return to Scotland in 1999, he was appointed assistant Priest in St Joseph’s Faifley for a year before moving to St Stephen’s in Dalmuir as Parish Priest. In 2007 he was appointed to St Patrick’s in Dumbarton and as of 1 August 2023, to Turnbull Hall as Parish Priest and Catholic Chaplain at the University.

Honorary Sikh Chaplain
Ravinder Kaur Nijjar
You Tube video link

Telephone: +44 (0) 141 330 5419
Email: Sikhchaplain@glasgow.ac.uk

Ravinder Kaur Nijjar is the Chair of Religions for Peace UK Women of Faith Network, member of RfP International Women’s Coordinating Committee for the Global Women of Faith Network. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Council of Dharmic Faiths UK, Patron of Alma Royalton Kisch Inter Faith Youth Trust (London) and member of Scottish Religious Leaders Forum and Interfaith Scotland. She is an experienced educationalist who has taught in the primary and secondary sector for thirty-two years and has worked in the interfaith field for over twenty-five years. 

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Honorary Anglican Chaplain 
Very Reverend Kelvin Holdsworth
Video link

Contact via the Anglican Chaplaincy website
Telephone:+44 (0) 141 530 8643 
Website: Anglican Chaplaincy

 

 

Honorary Anglican Chaplain 
Reverend Canon Oliver Brewer-Lennon
Video Link

Contact via the Anglican Chaplaincy website
Telephone: +44 (0) 141 339-6691

 

Honorary Methodist Chaplain 
Reverend Deacon Bob Stoner
You Tube video link 

Email: deaconbobstoner@icloud.com
Telephone: +44 (0) 141 737 3077 Mobile: 0785493773173
Welcome and details of services 

Hi, I am delighted to be able to serve as an honorary chaplain to the University of Glasgow. I am Bob Stoner and, possibly like you, I only arrived in Glasgow a few years ago. I serve as a Methodist Minister across the city. We seek to bring together experience of life, reason, some tradition and scripture, all combined to seek a way of life where we may all flourish. The Methodists have recently agreed that marriage is for all, irrespective of gender, for we are all wonderfully made by God. Hence, I’m involved in the Interfaith LGBTQ+ networks, supporting all.

I think Chaplaincy is important because its emphasis is upon reversing the guest and the host relationship. As a Chaplain my delight is in listening, walking with people, in the joys and sorrows of life. I am the guest and you are the host, where you set the agenda. I have previously worked in interfaith chaplaincies with Muslims and Pagans, seeking to bring further dialogue and mutual understanding.

I sincerely hope that you have a great time in Glasgow, at this wonderful University, and may it provide a great foundation upon which you can continue on life’s journey. 

I’m on the JMS ground floor on Monday’s between 1:30-3:30pm to listen.

Honorary International Chaplains 
Yushin Toda and Fumiko Nakabachi 

Email:  info@japandeskscotland.com
Website: https://www.japandeskscotland.com

Yushin worked in Japan as a journalist before coming to Glasgow to study Development Studies. He worked at the University of Glasgow for more than ten years to develop academic and business exchanges with Japan. After leaving the university, he has worked as Japan Desk Scotland, together with Fumiko Nakabachi. Their work includes making documentaries, running workshops on Japan, and the “Calligraphy as Meditation” session.  

Fumi worked in Japan as a journalist before coming to Glasgow to study Sociology. She researched people’s adaptation across different cultures, and was an Honorary Research Fellow at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Glasgow. Over the twenty years she has run a weekly meeting primarily for international students and their families in the Reflection and Prayer Room, which is now “Calligraphy as Meditation” session on Tuesdays during Semester, 12:00 - 14:00(all welcome!)

Honorary Bahá’í Chaplain 
Cosma Gottardi
Email: cosma.gottardi@glasgow.ac.uk
Telephone:+44 (0) 141 330 6055
+44 7552 370 570

Cosma Gottardi is a member of the Bahá’í community of Glasgow. Bahá’ís believe in the unity of all peoples of the earth and are fostering inclusive, open communities that strive to live by the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh (1817–1892), engaged in worship and service to humanity. Cosma is a good listener and is open to meet with anyone of faith or no faith. He enjoys taking part in interfaith dialogue, choral singing and cycling. Academically, Cosma has a PhD from the University of Glasgow and is a Lecturer in the School of Chemistry, where he takes an interest in chemistry education and sustainability. He speaks German, French, Italian, Luxembourgish (and English).

 

Honorary Chaplain (Rituals) 
Rachel Morley
Email: Rachelcmorley@mac.com

Rachel Morley is a Consultant Clinical and Community Psychologist with over 30 years experience working with survivors of trauma and loss in the NHS and charitable sector. She currently provides psychosocial support to people in humanitarian crisis situations and helps organisations and communities to be trauma informed, safe, supportive and welcoming spaces. She is going to work with the chaplaincy team to support our university community with rituals -to mourn loss, make meaning, support transitions and create belonging.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapel Music Staff

Director of Chapel Music
Dr. Katy Cooper
Email: kathryn.cooper@glasgow.ac.uk

University Organist
Dr. Kevin Bowyer
Email: kevin.bowyer@glasgow.ac.uk

Music Development Officer
Website: www.glasgow.ac.uk/musicintheuniversity