Chaplaincy centre appeal
The Revd Prebendary Angela Berners-Wilson, University of Bath Chaplain (2004-2016)
One of the first women to be ordained as a Church of England priest in 1994, the Revd Prebendary Angela Berners-Wilson, remembers her time as University of Bath Chaplain
I was University Chaplain and Ecumenical Team Leader to the University of Bath from May 2004 until July 2016. In a 43-year Ministry that was the longest time that I ever served in one post - 12 years - so I must have enjoyed it! My late husband and I occupied the Chaplain’s House in the Avenue opposite the South Building (now 4 South), where Professor Mike Danson worked in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry. He was Chair of the Chaplaincy Centre Management Committee, which met twice each semester and was our Steering Committee. Upon retirement from that position he was succeeded by Dr Gordon Taylor, School of Health.
I presided over the Ecumenical Team comprising Fr Bill, Roman Catholic Chaplain, Mother Sarah, Orthodox Chaplain - with whom I shared the office - Revd Barry Chapman, Anglican Chaplain, Jill Flowers, part-time Methodist Chaplain, and representatives from the Free Churches in Bath; Ministers from the Central URC Church, David and Helen Pattie, John Rackley from Manvers Street Baptist Church, and Kieren Bourne from the Metropolitan Church. We also had a series of student Chaplaincy Assistants and a Chaplaincy Secretary who came in for half a day each week. She was the only one of us who was paid by the University, and Mother Sarah received a small honorarium.
The work was very varied. As University Chaplain I was there for both staff and students, undergraduates and postgraduates, technical, administrative and academic staff. We came under the umbrella of Student Services and as Senior Chaplain I attended the weekly Casework Meeting Group that supported students who were experiencing problems to prevent them falling through the net. This was chaired by the Head of Student Services. I also worked quite closely with the Student Services team, and with overseas students. I was a pioneer member of the Omnibus Committee when the Senior Common Room & UBSA closed down.
So what does the Chaplain actually do?! We provided worship, a safe space, counsel, comfort, a listening ear, food and drinks, a microwave, the weekly Oxfam lunch, a place for the various different student religious societies to meet including the Cath Soc, BANG (Bath Anglicans) and the Christian Union, etc. We organised open lectures on various topics, started a Make a Difference Award biannual scholarship, pressed the University to allocate better premises for Muslim worship, hosted tea and toast every night in Freshers' Week until the small hours and provided hospitality and a safe space for students to come to regardless of their beliefs. It was an extraordinary privilege to hold such a position. I am still in touch with many of my former students and have attended a couple of weddings since leaving.
