Chaplaincy

Chaplaincy Staff

Chaplain to the University
Reverend Scott Blythe

Telephone: +44 (0) 141 330 4160
Email: scott.blythe@glasgow.ac.uk

Scott is a Minister of the Church of Scotland with over twenty years’ experience of working within ministry in a variety of roles. Scott is an alumnus of the University of Glasgow, currently working in the Parish of Netherlee and Stamperland.  He has extensive ecumenical experience, directing programs at a retreat centre, working with local multi faith partnerships and providing Chaplaincy support in a Hospice and HE setting. 
Scott has worked with young people in diverse communities across London, Scotland and the United States.  His compassionate, relational and ecumenical approach to ministry and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life make him a wonderful addition to our UoG community.
As Chaplain, Reverend Blythe will provide spiritual support and guidance, leading our community of volunteer chaplains and faith contacts to provide opportunities for worship and faith-based activities. His vision for an ecumenical, accessible and engaging chaplaincy aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering an inclusive, vibrant and supportive home for students during their studies at UoG.
Speaking about the appointment, Scott said: “I am so pleased to be the next Chaplain to the University of Glasgow. It’s quite amazing for me to be returning to where I graduated in Divinity a few years ago, and to be taking on this fantastic role of providing spiritual care to the diverse and exciting community that is the University. “I think I will be wandering around and pinching myself as I begin - so please be gentle with me as I settle!” 

 

Assistant Chaplain
Reverend Roz Lawson

Telephone: +44 (0) 141 330 1888
Email: roz.lawson@glasgow.ac.uk

Roz is an Accredited Baptist Chaplain and has worked in the Inter-faith Chaplaincy team since August 2021. She graduated from her Bachelor of Divinity in Theology with Pastoral Studies at the Scottish Baptist College in July 2022 and was ordained in December 2022. Roz’s first degree in English Literature and Sociology was from the University of Glasgow and she also has a Masters in Modern Literature and Culture from the University of York. She was involved in academic research support at UoG for a decade – in both the central Research Support Office and the College of Social Sciences – so she just can’t stay away from her alma mater! She loves inter-faith dialogue, (sc)rolling news, thoughtful conversations, languages and books.

Chaplaincy Secretary
Mrs Joan Keenan

Telephone: +44 (0) 141 330 5419
Mobile:  +44 (0)07977742056
Email: joan.keenan@glasgow.ac.uk 

Honorary Chaplains

Honorary Church of Scotland Chaplain
Reverend Professor Roger Sturrock

Email: rsturrock@churchofscotland.org.uk
Telephone:+44 (0) 141 339 0454
YouTube video link

Roger Sturrock has held the McLeod/Arthritis and Rheumatism Council Chair of Rheumatology since 1990. Upon retirement, he obtained a Bachelor of Divinity from the University of Glasgow and was ordained in June of 2014. He is currently assistant minister in the Wellington Church which hopes to serve as the Church of Scotland Chaplaincy for the University of Glasgow, working with students in a variety of ways, and assisting in the development of provision for them.

Honorary Church of Scotland Chaplain
Reverend Dr Richard Baxter

Email: rbaxter@churchofscotland.org.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 07958 541418

Richard is a Church of Scotland minister, based at Wellington Church on South Parks Avenue. He studied history, then worked as a tax inspector and tax consultant before training for ministry. After nineteen years in Fife and six years in Lochaber, he moved to Glasgow in 2022, and is gradually making the West Highland to West End transition. Richard is happy to offer support to people of any background, and to be available to students and staff for conversation, questions, discussion and coffee.

Honorary Hindu Chaplain
Mr. Srihari Vallabhajousula

Mobile: +44 (0) 7801656731
Email: hindus@glasgow.ac.uk
YouTube video link

Srihari volunteers as a priest at the Hindu Temple of Scotland and works as a surgeon in the NHS. He loves to cycle to raise funds for local charitable causes. Srihari is delighted to be part of the Interfaith Chaplaincy team and serves people of all faiths or none.

Honorary Humanist Chaplain
Mandy Evans-Ewing

Mobile: +44 (0) 783 636 6291
Email: humanists@glasgow.ac.uk
YouTube video link

Honorary Chaplain to the University since 2005 offering pastoral care and support to the whole university community from a Humanist perspective. Humanist Society Scotland Celebrant for over 19 years. Mandy has a background and wide experience in Social Work; Personal, Group, Organisational and Community Development; the Arts; promoting Equality, Diversity and Interfaith relations; and Environmental Activism.

Honorary Jewish Chaplains

Rabbi Eliran Shabo
Email: eliran@mychaplaincy.co.uk
Mobile: +44(0)07570372557

Ayalah Shabo
Email: ayalah@mychaplaincy.co.uk
Mobile: +44(0) 07570372586

Facebook group: Glasgow J-Soc

Rabbi Eliran and Ayalah were both born in Israel and now live in Edinburgh. They previously lived in Athens, Greece where Rabbi Eliran served as the Junior Rabbi of Athens and led the Jewish Studies program for highschool students, and Ayalah promoted collaborations between the local and Israeli communities. Rabbi Eliran and Ayalah offer support and guidance to Jewish students.

Honorary Muslim Chaplain
Shoket Aksi

Mobile: +44 (0) 788 622 1334
Email: muslimchaplain@glasgow.ac.uk
You Tube video link

GUMSA Facebook 

Shoket is a Youth worker, concentrating on young offenders. Shoket’s studies took him to Saudi Arabia, France and the UK.

Honorary Roman Catholic Chaplain
Reverend Canon Gerard Conroy

Telephone: +44 (0) 141 339 4315
Email: rcchaplaincy@glasgow.ac.uk
Glasgow University Catholic Association Website

Canon Gerry was born in Broxburn, Scotland in 1958.

After secondary school, he went to Rome for studies and seminary training in 1976 where he graduated in Philosophy (Ph.B) at the Gregorian University and S.T.B in Theology. He was ordained in 1982.

After completing a Licence in Biblical Studies at the Biblical Institute in Rome, he returned to Scotland in 1985 when he was appointed assistant priest at St Peter’s in Partick and later, as part time lecturer, at the former Seminary in Bearsden. In 1989 he was assigned full time to the Seminary.

In 1994 he was appointed to the Scots College in Rome as Spiritual Director to the students and completed a Licence in Spiritual Theology. On his return to Scotland in 1999, he was appointed assistant Priest in St Joseph’s Faifley for a year before moving to St Stephen’s in Dalmuir as Parish Priest. In 2007 he was appointed to St Patrick’s in Dumbarton and as of 1 August 2023, to Turnbull Hall as Parish Priest and Catholic Chaplain at the University.

Honorary Sikh Chaplain
Ravinder Kaur Nijjar
Email: Sikhchaplain@glasgow.ac.uk
YouTube video link

Ravinder Kaur Nijjar is the Sikh representative on the Scottish Religious Leaders Forum and the Advisor to Sikhs in Scotland. She is the Chair of Religions for Peace UK Women of Faith Network and Vice-Chair, Religions for Peace UK.
For over 35 years she has initiated many projects to promote interfaith dialogue, respect, and peace between communities nationally and internationally. Ravinder Kaur has served on the Scottish Interfaith Council, currently known as Interfaith Scotland since its inception in 1999 and as Convener from 2002-04 was key in initiating Inter Faith Week in Scotland. She also served as a member of the Executive Committee of the UK Interfaith Network from 2000-2015 and was instrumental in establishing Inter Faith week in England and Wales in 2009. She is an experienced educationalist working for thirty-two years and has a Bachelor of Education (Hons) degree (London University), ATQ Primary Qualification (Strathclyde University) and a post-graduate Diploma in Religious Education from the University of Glasgow.

Honorary Anglican Chaplain 
Very Reverend Kelvin Holdsworth

Contact via the Anglican Chaplaincy website
Telephone:+44 (0) 141 530 8643
Video link
Website: Anglican Chaplaincy

Honorary International Chaplains 
Yushin Toda and Fumiko Nakabachi

Email: info@japandeskscotland.com
Website: www.japandeskscotland.com

Yushin worked in Japan as a journalist before coming to Glasgow to study Development Studies. He worked at the University of Glasgow for more than ten years to develop academic and business exchanges with Japan. After leaving the university, he has worked as Japan Desk Scotland, together with Fumiko Nakabachi. Their work includes making documentaries, running workshops on Japan, and the “Calligraphy as Meditation” session. 

Fumi worked in Japan as a journalist before coming to Glasgow to study Sociology. She researched people’s adaptation across different cultures, and was an Honorary Research Fellow at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Glasgow. Over the twenty years she has run a weekly meeting primarily for international students and their families in the Reflection and Prayer Room, which is now “Calligraphy as Meditation” session on Tuesdays during Semester, 12:00 - 14:00(all welcome!)

Honorary Bahá’í Chaplain 
Dr Cosma Gottardi

Email: cosma.gottardi@glasgow.ac.uk
Telephone:+44 (0) 141 330 6055

Cosma Gottardi is a member of the Bahá’í community of Glasgow. Bahá’ís believe in the unity of all peoples of the earth and are fostering inclusive, open communities that strive to live by the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh (1817–1892), engaged in worship and service to humanity. Cosma is a good listener and is open to meet with anyone of faith or no faith. He enjoys taking part in interfaith dialogue, choral singing and cycling. Academically, Cosma has a PhD from the University of Glasgow and is a Lecturer in the School of Chemistry, where he takes an interest in chemistry education and sustainability. He speaks German, French, Italian, Luxembourgish (and English).

Honorary Advisor (Rituals)
Rachel Morley

Email: Rachelcmorley@mac.com

Rachel Morley is a Consultant Clinical and Community Psychologist with over 30 years experience working with survivors of trauma and loss in the NHS and charitable sector. She currently provides psychosocial support to people in humanitarian crisis situations and helps organisations and communities to be trauma informed, safe, supportive and welcoming spaces. She is going to work with the chaplaincy team to support our university community with rituals -to mourn loss, make meaning, support transitions and create belonging.

Honorary Advisor Chinese Christianity
Tim Lee

Email: tim.li@cocm.org.uk

Tim Li was born and raised in China and earned a Master’s degree in Media Management from the University of Glasgow. He later pursued theological studies at the London School of Theology. Tim began his ministry as a full-time missionary with the Chinese Overseas Christian Mission (COCM), serving the Chinese community in London for seven years.

In response to a growing need, Tim and his family moved to Glasgow, where he established the Glasgow Chinese Gospel Church. His experience as an international student has given him a deep understanding of the challenges faced by students from abroad. Together with his wife, Rosie, Tim is dedicated to supporting Chinese international students and those from diverse cultural backgrounds, helping them to navigate university life and grow spiritually.

Chapel Music Staff

Director of Chapel Music
Dr. Katy Cooper
Email: kathryn.cooper@glasgow.ac.uk

University Organist
Dr. Kevin Bowyer
Email: kevin.bowyer@glasgow.ac.uk

Music Development Officer
Website: www.glasgow.ac.uk/musicintheuniversity 

Student Faith Group contacts

• Contact details for GU Student Clubs and Societies