A diverse group of students met at the Meeting House on Monday evenings through March. After a presentation by Associate Chaplain Ray Vincent on “What is Christianity?” the group sat down for a meal, and over the table there was a lively discussion not just about Christianity but about religion in general.

The group were of at least seven different nationalities, and included all different types of Christians, Muslims, Hindus and one or two professed unbelievers. It was as if the whole world had gathered in one room, except that it was a peaceful world. The discussion was serious, passionate, honest and fun.

We all had an opportunity to express our own faith (and to question it) and to learn about other people’s faith. This was the Chaplaincy building truly being a Meeting House. Those who came are determined to meet again, and we hope to host many more such evenings in the future. Any suggestions for topics are welcome.

Anyone who wants to be kept in touch with future events should follow the Chaplaincy Channel, join the Meeting House Group on Facebook, or contact us.

Have you visited the Meeting House yet?

Since October 2011, the Meeting House has been open for you on the Treforest campus, just above the Ferndale Building at the Brook Street gate. Our lounge is accessible 9 am – 5 pm every weekday with tea and coffee always available.  Take the opportunity to spend your work-break in comfortable surroundings – and why not bring a colleague or two?

The Meeting House is an oasis free of teaching and administrative work, and is a warm and welcoming place. The building is home to the University’s Chaplaincy Services, but you don’t have to be religious to drop in. All are welcome, and no-one will expect you to sign up for any religious belief or activity. But you might well meet other staff members or students who have a religious point of view, and who would be fascinated to know what you think, too.

So whether you are looking for a quiet place for a cuppa, a room to book for a social or cultural meeting, or even a place for prayer, the Meeting House has something to offer you. It’s open every working day and can be made available for evening events with enough advance notice. Drop in soon and meet the Meeting House for yourself!

The University’s Chaplains are available to any member of staff across the Glamorgan Group  for confidential pastoral support, and there is usually one on duty at the Meeting House. We can also arrange to meet you at mutually convenient place.

This month the Chaplaincy has welcomed two new members of staff:

Susan Stevenson, Associate Chaplain

Revd Susan Stevenson, a Baptist Minister, is our newest Associate Chaplain. You are most likely to meet her on a Tuesday in Glyntaff, but look out on other University sites, too! 

Julie Wenner - Chaplaincy Officer Administrator

Julie Wenner joins us to assist with keeping our publicity and databases up to date. You can find her on the Reception Desk of the Meeting House most afternoons (not Wednesdays) and also on Thursday mornings.

Have you visited the Meeting House yet?

Since October 2011, the Meeting House has been open for you on the Treforest campus, just above the Ferndale Building at the Brook Street gate. Our lounge is accessible 9 am - 5 pm every weekday with tea and coffee always available.  Bring your friends – or come to find some new ones!

The Meeting House is home to the University’s Chaplaincy Services, but you don’t have to be religious to drop in. All are welcome, and no-one will expect you to sign up for any religious belief or activity. But you might well meet other students who have a religious point of view, and who would be fascinated to know what you think, too.

Student groups also make good use of the building, including some business students who used the Lounge as a venue to promote Fairtrade (photos available!), and international students from Mexico, Nigeria and China who made good use of the meeting hall to show off the sights and tastes of their native lands (view on Facebook).

The Meeting House Group is an informal network of students who use the Meeting House as a base for sharing perspectives on faith and on ethical issues. In recent months, they have worked to give UNICEF a presence on campus and collected for the Pontypridd Foodbank. You can network with the Meeting House Group on Facebook or drop in to the Meeting House and introduce yourself.

So whether you are looking for a quiet place for a cuppa, a room to book for a social or cultural meeting, or even a place for prayer, the Meeting House has something to offer you. It’s open every working day, even outside undergraduate term times, and can be made available for evening events with enough advance notice. Drop in soon and meet the Meeting House for yourself!