Postgrads on Purpose
—Friendly and open discussions for postgraduates who are interested in considering the Christian approach to the human search for purpose and meaning.
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Chaplaincy
Chaplaincy
Postgraduate study at Oxford University is immensely rewarding. Most postgraduates count it a privilege to have lived and worked here and take away fond memories they will retain all their lives. But postgraduate study at Oxford can also be extremely challenging. Most students experience feelings of frustration, inadequacy and isolation at some point in their course or research.
The Oxford Pastorate chaplains are available to accompany postgraduates of all faiths and none through these highs and lows of postgraduate life.
We believe that building and participating in strong friendships and a lively community is essential to making the most of your time at Oxford. We partner with chapels, societies and, particularly, churches who are able to offer fun, caring community to postgraduates. These are Christian groups but would welcome postgraduates of any or no religious faith.
The University is also blessed with an abundance of beautiful chapels and friendly chaplains who are delighted to receive and involve postgraduate students in their worship and other activities. For a full list of religious provision within the university visit the Chaplaincy page here.
The Oxford Pastorate is committed to creating a safe and caring space for all; you can read our safeguarding policy here.
Postgraduate study at Oxford University is immensely rewarding. Most postgraduates count it a privilege to have lived and worked here and take away fond memories they will retain all their lives. But postgraduate study at Oxford can also be extremely challenging. Most students experience feelings of frustration, inadequacy and isolation at some point in their course or research.
The Oxford Pastorate chaplains are available to accompany postgraduates of all faiths and none through these highs and lows of postgraduate life.
We believe that building and participating in strong friendships and a lively community is essential to making the most of your time at Oxford. We partner with chapels, societies and, particularly, churches who are able to offer fun, caring community to postgraduates. These are Christian groups but would welcome postgraduates of any or no religious faith.
The University is also blessed with an abundance of beautiful chapels and friendly chaplains who are delighted to receive and involve postgraduate students in their worship and other activities. For a full list of religious provision within the university visit the Chaplaincy page here.
The Oxford Pastorate is committed to creating a safe and caring space for all; you can read our safeguarding policy here.
Dear postgraduate student,
As McDonald Chaplain for the Pastorate, I’m available to speak with any postgraduate student who would like to spend time in conversation – whether that relates to exploring ultimate questions of faith and meaning, or being supported at a time of upheaval, grief or uncertainty. I am an ordained member of the Church of England, committed to working with students of all faiths and none. With those who are already Christians, I’m very happy exploring the challenges of Christian faith as well as its delights, and no question is off limits! Before ordination, I was a radio correspondent for the BBC, and during my training for ministry I completed a DPhil here in Oxford in Christian Ethics / Theology – so I know first-hand some of the pressures that are faced by those undertaking further study in Oxford. I would be delighted to meet you.
Yours,
Christopher
As McDonald Chaplain for the Pastorate, I’m available to speak with any postgraduate student who would like to spend time in conversation – whether that relates to exploring ultimate questions of faith and meaning, or being supported at a time of upheaval, grief or uncertainty. I am an ordained member of the Church of England, committed to working with students of all faiths and none. With those who are already Christians, I’m very happy exploring the challenges of Christian faith as well as its delights, and no question is off limits! Before ordination, I was a radio correspondent for the BBC, and during my training for ministry I completed a DPhil here in Oxford in Christian Ethics / Theology – so I know first-hand some of the pressures that are faced by those undertaking further study in Oxford. I would be delighted to meet you.
Yours,
Christopher
Postgrads on Purpose
Starting next week! (Week 1 Michaelmas)
Friendly and open discussions for postgraduates of any or no religious faith who are interested in considering the Christian approach to the human search for purpose and meaning. Weekly sessions, including a free lunch, will address universal themes, such as: Ambition; Charity; Success; Wisdom; Prosperity; and Community. Groups of no more than 6 participants will be led by an Oxford Pastorate chaplain. Sign up here by Tuesday October 13th to register your interest.
Starting next week! (Week 1 Michaelmas)
Friendly and open discussions for postgraduates of any or no religious faith who are interested in considering the Christian approach to the human search for purpose and meaning. Weekly sessions, including a free lunch, will address universal themes, such as: Ambition; Charity; Success; Wisdom; Prosperity; and Community. Groups of no more than 6 participants will be led by an Oxford Pastorate chaplain. Sign up here by Tuesday October 13th to register your interest.
Prayer Network
The Transformation Network: Prayer in every university department
We have a vision to see Christian postgraduate students meeting together regularly to pray in every university department across the city. We believe this is a strategic way to cover the university, and our subjects and studies, in prayer.
We hope to connect Christians from different churches and levels of academic study in Oxford, and to inspire them to intercede for their places of work and study.
Read more about our story so far.
If you would like to be involved, please sign up via this link or contact our postgraduate volunteers, Victoria Udom and Joy Choi at (transformation.network@oxfordpastorate.org)
The Transformation Network: Prayer in every university department
We have a vision to see Christian postgraduate students meeting together regularly to pray in every university department across the city. We believe this is a strategic way to cover the university, and our subjects and studies, in prayer.
We hope to connect Christians from different churches and levels of academic study in Oxford, and to inspire them to intercede for their places of work and study.
Read more about our story so far.
If you would like to be involved, please sign up via this link or contact our postgraduate volunteers, Victoria Udom and Joy Choi at (transformation.network@oxfordpastorate.org)
Macedonia
Oxford Connections - Macedonia
The Pastorate seeks to enable postgraduates to use their academic gifts and qualifications to serve beyond Oxford. Since 2010 the Pastorate has partnered with St Aldates' Church in running Oxford Connections. Each year 6-12 Oxford postgraduate students travel to Macedonia with Oxford Pastorate leaders. In Macedonia, we support the exciting work of Dr Kosta and Nada Milkov who are Oxford alumni and the founders of the Balkan Institute for Faith and Culture (BIFC) a Christian think-tank using theological insight and dialogue to develop relationships, build community cohesion and work towards the common good for all of Macedonia’s and the Balkans’ peoples.
The week-long Oxford Connections trip focuses on three areas: learning about and praying for Macedonia and its people; cultural engagement (including lots of excellent meals out!) with the different religious and ethnic communities that make-up Macedonian society; and academic engagement, with each participant offering a lecture or paper on their postgraduate research at the state university and in other educational forums.
The next trip will take place in Spring 2021.
Oxford Connections - Macedonia
The Pastorate seeks to enable postgraduates to use their academic gifts and qualifications to serve beyond Oxford. Since 2010 the Pastorate has partnered with St Aldates' Church in running Oxford Connections. Each year 6-12 Oxford postgraduate students travel to Macedonia with Oxford Pastorate leaders. In Macedonia, we support the exciting work of Dr Kosta and Nada Milkov who are Oxford alumni and the founders of the Balkan Institute for Faith and Culture (BIFC) a Christian think-tank using theological insight and dialogue to develop relationships, build community cohesion and work towards the common good for all of Macedonia’s and the Balkans’ peoples.
The week-long Oxford Connections trip focuses on three areas: learning about and praying for Macedonia and its people; cultural engagement (including lots of excellent meals out!) with the different religious and ethnic communities that make-up Macedonian society; and academic engagement, with each participant offering a lecture or paper on their postgraduate research at the state university and in other educational forums.
The next trip will take place in Spring 2021.
Funding
Our Chaplaincy work is funded by live giving and the support we have received from individual donors in past generations. We also have a partnership with the McDonald Agape Foundation. Since September 2017, they have been generously supporting the work of a ‘McDonald Chaplain', a position currently held by Christopher Landau.
Our Chaplaincy work is funded by live giving and the support we have received from individual donors in past generations. We also have a partnership with the McDonald Agape Foundation. Since September 2017, they have been generously supporting the work of a ‘McDonald Chaplain', a position currently held by Christopher Landau.
