Further Education Chaplaincy
Further Education Chaplaincy
Over the years there has developed an ecumenical chaplaincy in both our Swindon FE Colleges. This reflects a national growth in such a ministry to Further Education. In a 2004 survey, some 200 colleges had chaplaincies. Over 50 colleges have reported some form of muti-faith student services and the figure is much higher now. In 2004, the National Ecumenical Agency for FE (NEAFE) acted as midwife to the setting up of the Faiths in FE Forum(FiFEF) which designed a three year project and secured a funding from the Learning Skills Council (LSC).At a conference organised by FiFFE and NEAFE and backed by the Centre for Excellence in Leadership, FE Minister, Bill Rammell,MP said, "...we need our future society to develop respect for and sensitivity to others, especially those whose faith and beliefs are different from their own. I would like to have a chaplain in every, college, but we would have to look at our resources." The conference, which was held at the East London Mosque, was titled 'Leadership in a Pluralist Society'and was very much a multi-faith event.
Here in Swindon our approach is to develop more into a muti-faith Chaplaincy team
in both Swindon College- which has already had some success- and New College.
Chaplaincies need to be established as a partnership between colleges and faith communities, to meet the needs of all staff and students of any faith, or none.
FE Chaplaincies do not indulge in overt proselytism (that is, trying to convert students from one faith to another). Chaplains are there to help staff and students on their spiritual and moral development, to explore faith, and to seek meaning and purpose in life. Where appropriate, chaplaincies can act as signposts to local faith commmunities.
If as a member of a faith community, you feel called to chaplaincy to FE in Swindon then please contact Revd Derek Ormston @ New College or Revd Derryck Evans @ Swindon College. Chaplaincy is open to lay people not just authorised / ordained Ministers / Priests.
Derek Ormston Back to top
