Faith
Our beliefs are an important part of who we are, and the University of Cumbria is a place where faith and belief can be explored and celebrated, and where there are resources to help you on that journey.
Each of our university campuses has a designated chaplain who is available to all students, regardless of their beliefs, for support and guidance. Explore the relevant campus page(s) for more details.
Prayer times for Muslims in Lancaster.
Information for Hindu students in Lancaster and surrounding areas.
Local churches and faith groups are also listed at Virtual-Lancaster, a community website.
The Chaplaincy Team
James Titterton
Chaplaincy Assistant
Tel: 01524 385689 (internal ext. 2534)
Email: chaplaincy@cumbria.ac.uk
Mavis Lee
Lay Catholic Chaplain
Tel: 01524 385689 (internal ext. 5689 or 2534)
Email: chaplaincy@cumbria.ac.uk
The Chaplaincy Office is open Monday-Thursday from 10.00-2.30pm.
The Lancaster team is available to everyone based on the Lancaster campus, to talk things through, work out what to do next, or just for an informal chat.
We provide an independent and safe place for you to share anything that is going on in your life that you need to discuss. We can also help you identify and obtain what other help you may need, if you wish. In the event of a bereavement or serious illness, the university requests chaplains to provide pastoral support to those affected.
The university is currently between ordained chaplains. If you wish to talk to an ordained minister, the Chaplaincy team can put you in touch with somebody. Watch this space for further developments!
Where?
The Chaplaincy Centre is located in the ground floor of the Hornby building. It contains a lounge, kitchen, office, prayer room with washroom, and a room for appointments and meetings.
The Chaplaincy Centre contains male and female prayer rooms which are available for members of all faith communities to use. We ask people to respect the space, and to remove their shoes before entering. There are ablution facilities next to the prayer rooms for those who require to wash before prayer.
The Prayer Room within the Chaplaincy Centre is open during office hours for people of all faith traditions to use for prayer. It can be made available out of hours via Reception.
St Martin's Chapel is the large building at the top of the steps, opposite the new Lancaster Gateway building. You are welcome to use the Chapel whenever it is open.
Islamic Society
The University of Cumbria Islamic Society caters for the Carlisle, Lancaster and London campuses. We offer a fully comprehensive pastoral support system, with two Muslim Chaplains (Ilyas Patel and Nawaz Munshi) who can travel to offer you support as needed. The chaplains are also available through email. We are part of the Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FoSIS) which means we have access to resources across the UK, across institutions.
To join the Islamic Society, contact us at islamicsociety@cumbria.ac.uk. It is a good way to keep in touch with the Muslim community on campus and make friends!
Society Coordinator: Saj Hoffman-Hussain
Chaplains: Ilyas Patel and Nawaz Munshi
Lancaster Rep: Saj Hoffman-Hussain
Email: islamicsociety@cumbria.ac.uk
Check out our page on Blackboard for updates or join us on Facebook.
Events
Worship
Worship on Wednesday
A short, non-denominational act of worship led by the Chaplaincy team with regular Holy Communion. We serve free refreshments from 12:30pm, so bring your lunch and spend some time in community with others. Service begins at 1pm. Term-time only.
Sunday Supper
A time to sit, chat and talk about the Bible with friends over some free food. We will be meeting every Sunday during term time in St. Martin’s Chapel. 5.00-7.00 pm. All welcome.
Social events
Look out for social events, outings, movie nights, awareness-raising, as well as external activities in the local area.
If you need help finding a church/place of worship, please get in contact with a chaplain, who will be happy to assist.
Local churches close to campus are listed here.
Local faith groups. More information is available on the Virtual Lancaster website.
NB Information on sites external to the university website are outside the control of the Chaplaincy.
Lancaster International students
International Café
On most Saturdays from 7.30 to 9.30pm usually at St Thomas' Centre, Marton Street.
For all students from overseas and their families. Tea, coffee, soft drinks and home-made cakes are available. Come and practise your English and make new friends.
The café is organised by Christians from several local churches and welcomes overseas students and their families from all ethnic and religious backgrounds.
See the International Friendship Café website for the list of meetings and for more information.
Friends International Lancaster aims to encourage local Christians, from a variety of churches, to welcome, befriend and offer hospitality to individuals coming from all parts of the world to study in Lancaster.
For further information about either activity, contact 01524 592580 or email lancaster.i.cafe@gmail.com.
Please note, the Chaplaincy is not responsible for content on externally linked pages. Please report problems to the Chaplaincy Office.