Faith & Reflection

The Faith & Reflection centre is on the first floor of Talbot House (the building with the medical centre on the Talbot Campus). We are a hidden gem and so need a little finding! If you are accessing the centre from the flight of stairs you need to turn left, walk through the music department and then turn left again. 

From the lift, turn left, pass the top of the stairs, through the music department and then left again.  

The centre itself has a communal area which is a free space anyone can come and use. We hope it is a pocket of peace and we try to host the space in that way. Come and explore it for yourself! In addition we have a quiet room which can be used by individuals for private meditation, prayer, or simply a quiet space to be.

This space is not usually operated through a booking system but is open the basis that if no one is using it you can! We also have a meeting room which can be booked through one of the chaplaincy team. It is a flexible space and it is used for things like; 

• Student society committee meetings 
• Staff meetings 
• Group work project planning 
• Small group catch ups. 

We have an Islamic prayer room, a Kosher kitchen and an open kitchen (with a kettle and microwave which can be used by anyone accessing the centre). We also keep a good supply of biscuits! 

Our chaplains and faith advisors work mainly from the Faith & Reflection centre but can be found out and about of both university campuses. The role of a chaplain is maybe something you are a little unclear on! We are people from various faith traditions and perspectives who are available to listen, to support, to encourage and to speak into individual and communal life.

People will seek a chaplain as someone to listen to them for differing reasons, but some examples include; 

• When they are looking to make a complex or difficult life decision 
• When they need a confidential  place to be heard 
• At a time of bereavement 
• When they are feeling isolated 
• Are looking to explore spirituality 
• Need advice or support from a specific faith tradition. 

Our discreet listening offer is open to those of all faiths and none. 

We are connected to the universities’ wellbeing and student support networks and signpost students and staff for specific support as needed. In addition, and only if it is something of interest, we can provide information about faith activities and worship. 

We are currently looking to build a wider team of voluntary chaplains and faith advisors. If you have an interest in this area do contact us! 

Throughout the year we join in events and activities facilitated by teams across the universities as well as hosting our own. These events vary but can be about celebrating differing festivals, promoting opportunities for inter-faith dialogue, responding to ethical issues in social action, bringing people together to tackle isolation or looking to positively contribute to the wider community.

We can help shape acts of remembrance, facilitate vigils, host acts of worship and help mark important events within the life of the universities. 

We run a stream of activities specifically for international students. Our international student work is run by our International Chaplain - Sue Burt - who works for Friends International, a Christian organisation which seeks to provide welcome, hospitality and activities for international students of all faiths and of none.

Currently we run a weekly Global Café which is a chance to meet other international students, and a weekly Conversation Café which is an opportunity to practice English language speaking whilst discussing some big life questions! 

We also run a stream for postgraduate students which is facilitated by Tim Peters who works for Navigators, a national Christian organisation working alongside students. 

We run two monthly PGR lunches where we provide a free lunch and a safe space to connect with other postgraduate students (one at Talbot House and one on the BU Lansdowne campus).  

Look out for more events and activities throughout the year! 

Rev’d Ruth Wells is the senior chaplain for BU/AUB. She is an ordained priest on the Church of England but is around to support students and staff of all faiths and none. 

Ruth is a performance poet and is particularly drawn to using the arts as a way of finding soul nourishment. She is currently exploring beginning a PhD using poetics and theology. Ruth is really interested in how spirituality is worked out and connected to everyday life, and in how faith connects heart and head. 

She enjoys hearing people's stories - especially over a cup of coffee! She'd love to chat to you and hear your story too - you can contact her via email at [email protected]. 

Sue Burt, the International Chaplain, is particularly responsible for welcoming and providing support to international students. 

She works for the Christian organisation Friends International which seeks to provide welcome, hospitality and activities for international students of all faiths and of none.  

"I love travelling and find it fascinating to learn about different cultures. I have visited more than 40 countries and lived in France for a year. I have also done lots of study over the years so I know just how it feels to have all those assignment deadlines and dissertation proposals!

In Faith & Reflection we want to support international students. if you're feeling lonely, struggling to understand our culture, or you just want to chat about what's happening in your life (the good and the not so good), do come and see us.

I'm at Bournemouth University on Wednesdays. You can always email me: [email protected]. Or come and meet me and other colleagues at Global Cafe - each Wednesday in term-time, 5.00-6.30 pm, 3rd floor Fusion Building. Come and enjoy free drinks and cookies and meet friends.

Tim helps run various groups including the postgraduate Christian fellowship, but also helps with the inter-faith groups and football. All faiths and none are welcome to join the groups. 

Tim can often be found boiling the kettle in the Faith & Reflection kitchen - which is available and accessible for all students and staff. 

"Feel free to say hello and my door is open on Wednesdays and Friday afternoons when I'm at BU, or you can contact me at [email protected].

​

Father Andrew Wagstaff is our Catholic Priest. He is on campus usually on a Wednesday afternoon at Talbot and on a Tuesday afternoon in BG04, Bournemouth House at Lansdowne Campus. All are welcome to join him in praying the Rosary at 2.30pm on Wednesdays in the Faith & Reflection centre. He also takes part in meetings of the BU Catholic Society: [email protected]. 

Father Andrew has been a member of the Congregation of the Oratory since 2012. The Oratory takes its inspiration from St Philip Neri (1515 - 1595), the saint of gentleness and kindness. St John Henry Newman brought the Oratory to England in 1848. 

When he is not at the University, Father Andrew can be found at the Oratory Church in Bournemouth where he lives with the other Fathers of the Oratory. On Sunday evenings he hosts a discussion group for Catholics aged 18 - 35, and on Tuesday evenings he hosts a Bible Study, both in the St John Henry Newman Library. 

Before joining the Oratory, Father Andrew practised as a barrister, and he is still interested in legal and bioethical issues and philosophy. His Master’s degree is in Biblical interpretation, and he has a research interest in the formation of the New Testament canon.​ 

Faith societies are a part of the Student Union (SUBU) that represent groups of students with a shared common interest. They are run by students, for students, and tend to have weekly meetings and social events. Any student can join a society that is affiliated to the Student Union. For a list of current faith societies visit SUBU Clubs & Societies page. 

Catholic Society

Meet: Wednesdays, 3.30pm-4.30pm
Contact: 

• [email protected]
• Catholic Society BU AUB Facebook group

​Christian Union

Contact: Universities of Bournemouth Christian Union Facebook page​

Islamic Society

Meet: Thursdays, 4.30pm-5.30pm
Contact:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• BU Islamic Society ​Facebook group

For more information about faith socities at BU contact SUBU on 01202 965765 or email [email protected].

Gary has generally been on campus on the last Wednesday of the month at Talbot, but recent restrictions have seen these suspended, but we are looking forward to resuming meetings again soon. All are welcome to join him in discussions on Buddhism, Buddhist philosophy and chanting from 7-30-9pm on the last Wednesday evening of the month in the Faith & Reflection centre (COVID-19 restrictions permitting – current meetings are by zoom but please email below for further updates).

Gary has been a member of the Soka Gakkai International – UK lay Buddhist organisation and a practising Nichiren Buddhist since 1982. Having met the practise whilst in the Royal Navy, he became the first UK military serving Nichiren Buddhist. Having served his time in the Navy, Gary now continues working in the military aviation sector. He also supports all Nichiren Buddhist members and activities locally, and nationally holding a variety of responsibilities within SGI. Gary has also organised lectures alongside the SGI-UK General Director at BU on a variety of philosophical and humanitarian issues.

Gary is also the SGI-UK LGBTQIA+ UK Buddhist Chairperson supporting all LGBTQIA+ Nichiren Buddhists within the UK and the wider LGBTQIA+ European Buddhist networks.

The Soka Gakkai is a global community-based Buddhist organization that promotes peace, culture and education centred on respect for the dignity of life. Its members in 192 countries and territories around the world study and put into practice the humanistic philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism. Soka Gakkai members strive to actualize their inherent potential while contributing to their local communities and responding to the shared issues facing humankind. The conviction that individual happiness and the realization of peace are inextricably linked is central to the Soka Gakkai, as is a commitment to dialogue and nonviolence.

For further information on the Soka Gakkai you can go to www.sgi-uk.org where you can find out about us, the philosophy and enquire about local contact information across the UK.

To contact Gary directly please email [email protected] for local meeting information at BU or [email protected] for all LGBTQIA+ related enquiries or via the Faith & Reflection team at BU.