A Christmas message from the University Chaplain

Published on 23, December, 2025

The University's Chaplain Reverend Chris Howson delivers his annual Christmas message to staff and students.

Well, Christmas has approached fast, and I hope it’s not too overwhelming for you. 

At the university, we’ve been having lots of fun, with University Carol Services and staff parties. We have a lot to celebrate at the University, and our league table rankings are evidence that we have been doing many things really well even when working through a tough year for the Higher Education Sector. 

At this time of year, we all rightly want to get a break and hunker down with our families. For chaplains, though, it is precisely when the team goes up a gear and it can get quite busy. Not only are there the Christmas services to run at the Minster, St Mary’s, and all the other churches we connect to, but we try to be there for students who will be far away from home this Christmas time. 

For many International students and for some home students, it may well be the first Christmas where family will be at the other end of a social media call. 

We hope that students feeling a bit isolated will connect with the ‘Here for the Holiday’s’ events that we have lined up at the University. They can go for Christmassy walks around Hexham and Alnwick, watch the epic Boxing Day dip at Seaburn, and even have a Christmas Day meal at 12 noon at St Mary’s on Bridge St. 

Not only that, but there is also a New Years Eve party at the Chaplain’s House followed by fireworks in Keel Square at midnight. On New Years Day, students (and staff!) can meet up at CitySpace at 10:30 am and join us for the traditional walk up Tunstall Hill to make those important New Years resolutions.

What will your New Years Resolutions be? If you are a person of faith, you might want to strengthen that faith, remember to give a prayer of thanks and build your relationships with your God and the people around you. For all of us, regardless of whether we have a faith or not, New Year can be a time to make brave new decisions about who we want to be in the coming year. 

Merry Christmas everyone!

Revd Chris

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