News Archive February 2010
MINSTERACRES CHAPLAINCY RETREAT
In February, a group of ten students and four members of staff went on retreat
to Minsteracres in Northumberland. After a tour of the retreat centre with its church,
chapel and halls, we joined together for reflection with a mandala which we used to
write down our joys, hopes, fears and sorrows. The rest of the day was spent with long
walks in the snow in the grounds of the retreat centre. On the evening, we had the first
of our many delicious meals before an evening service and a deep discussion!
The second day began with “praying with plasticine” which, although emotional,
allowed us to explore our lives in a very unconventional manner. We then continued
the activities with free drawing, lectio divina and reflection on CAFOD posters.
All of these activities gave us a chance to reflect on our lives and what we have.
They also helped us to appreciate that we should not take what we have for granted.
Between these activities we had some free time in which we went for a walk, some of us
went sledging and a couple of us tried to make a dragon out of snow but it is debatable
whether this was successful or not!
Thursday was the last day we had together. We had a final discussion about the days
we had spent together before leaving for college at lunchtime. The retreat was a great
experience and we all got a lot out of it. We found the activities undertaken were
very inspirational and allowed us to learn more about ourselves. Everyone would
definitely go again if they had the chance and would recommend anybody who may be
interested to go.
Zoe North, Stephanie North, Dylan Bisson-Darroch
RELIGIOUS STUDIES LECTURE
On 3 February 2010, the College welcomed Harjinder Singh
(pictured above), the National Development
Officer of the National Council of Faiths and Beliefs in Further Education,
and Gurdev Singh Bal, the Regional Development Officer. Harjinder presented
an insightful overview of Sikhism to a full lecture theatre. Originally from
the Netherlands, and a convert to Sikhism, Harjinder delighted his audience with
a very dry sense of humour.
Thank you Harjinder and Gurdev for enriching our understanding of other faiths,
and of the values and beliefs we share.
THEY SAID IT - THEY DID IT
Student Presidents Faye Buckton and Salma Iqbal said they
would provide a juke box for students, and they have
kept their word!