Westcott House Cambridge

Image: Revd Canon Nick Moir, Acting Chaplain, Westcott House. Quote: “‘Mothering Sunday’ properly observed is more universal and more inclusive [than ‘Mother’s Day’]”

At tonight’s Eucharist, as we anticipated Mothering Sunday, our Acting Chaplain, Canon Nick Moir, invited us to be attentive to the ways in which this day is a painful subject for some – with raw memories or deep disappointment – but can actually include everyone.

2/2 As we anticipated the 3rd Sunday of Lent, Sharon reflected on a recent Diocesan visit to Rwanda, as we explored together Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4.

📷many thanks to Charlotte K.

Photo of Revd Claire Brocklesby, alumna and Assistant Curate in the Parish of Fen Drayton with Fenstanton presiding at last week’s Community Eucharist and pictured with guest preacher Revd Sharon Bryne, Bishop’s Advisor for Racial Justice, Diocese of Ely in the Chapel at Westcott House.

1/2 At last week’s Community Eucharist, we were delighted to be joined by guest preacher, Revd Sharon Bryne, Bishop’s Advisor for Racial Justice, Diocese of Ely and alumna Revd Claire Brocklesby, Assistant Curate in the parish of Fen Drayton with Fenstanton, who presided at the service.

Poster with image of the library at Westcott House, advertising an online Info Evening for independent students taking place in March 2026.

Discover more about our undergraduate/postgraduate programmes, including our part-time online ARU MAs, MPhil/PhDs, and TMM Durham Common Awards at our online Info Evening for independent students. To book a place scan the QR or visit: https://buff.ly/ftE6tZ2

Could you be our next Director of Contextual Training? There’s still time to apply before the closing date on Monday. All the information to make an application can be found here: https://www.westcott.cam.ac.uk/about-us/work-with-us/director-of-contextual-training/

Underneath the branches of the budding magnolia tree in Old Court garden, overlooked by All Saints' Church.

Image of pink blossoms as the magnolia tree in Old Court garden starts to bud.

Hello March! As the month begins it is always a welcome sight to see our beautiful magnolia tree in Old Court Garden start to bud! Spring is on its way❤️

Interested in joining our staff team? We're seeking to appoint a Director of Contextual Training to start Sept. Closing date is 12 noon on Mon. 9 March 2026. Full details: https://buff.ly/l9cQlHM

Please share news of this vacancy amongst your networks or with anyone you think might be interested!

Image: Revd Dr Helen Dawes, Principal, Westcott House. Quote: ‘Can you see God present with us? In bread and wine. In body and blood. In heaven touching earth and in eternity touching now?’

At our All-Age Teaching Eucharist this evening, our Principal, Revd Dr Helen Dawes, invited us to look and see the simplicity of God's presence with us.

Poster with image of the library at Westcott House, advertising an online Info Evening for independent students taking place in March 2026.

Interested in exploring the options for independent study at Westcott House? Join us for our online Info Evening next month to learn more about our part-time online ARU MAs, research degrees and Durham Common Awards modules. To register scan the QR or visit: https://buff.ly/ftE6tZ2

2/2 Making up the choir were students from Westcott and Faraday, and second year ordinand, Jack, preached the sermon at the special service to mark Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.

📷 thanks to GSM staff, DMR, and EC.

1/2 On Wednesday, CTF Houses gathered as an ecumenical community for Federation Worship at Great St Mary’s for an early morning Eucharist led by Westcott House.

Westcott House is recruiting for a Director of Contextual Training to join its staff team from 1 September 2026. Closing deadline for applications is 12 noon on Monday 9 March 2026. Further details of the vacancy, job specification & how to apply can be found on our website: https://buff.ly/l9cQlHM

Image: Revd Dr Muthuraj Swamy, Director of the Cambridge Centre for Christianity Worldwide (CCCW). Quote: ‘ Christian mission, when lived as an invitation, becomes a natural and authentic expression of the joy of the Good News. It is a humble act to share that joy with others. It honours the freedom and dignity of the one who is invited. We proclaim the Gospel not as though we stand above anyone, but simply because our hearts overflow with joy. When we share the Good News in ways that contradict that joy, we risk obscuring the very message we hope to proclaim.’

Lovely to be joined tonight in fellowship by one of our trustees, Revd Dr Muthuraj Swamy, who preached at our Eucharist. As we anticipated the First Sunday of Lent, we were reminded of the call in Luke 15.1-10 to ‘Rejoice with Me’ and the invitation to share with others the joy of the Good News.

Exploring a vocation to ordained ministry? Come join us for our online Open Evening for ordinands next month to learn more about training, formation and community life at Westcott House. Scan the QR to book a place or visit: https://buff.ly/KKrMJIE

Revd Dr Helen Dawes, Principal of Westcott House, pictured with Revd Canon Prof. Jim Walters at last night's farewell.

Revd Dr Helen Dawes, Principal of Westcott House, pictured with Revd Canon Prof. Jim Walters at last night's farewell.

Last night was also an opportunity to say thank you to alumnus Revd Canon Prof. Jim Walters, who recently stepped down as a trustee, for the dedication & support he's shown the House over the years. We’ve been richly blessed by Jim’s wisdom & were delighted he could join us for worship & fellowship

Image: Revd Jennifer Totney, Director of Contextual Training, Westcott House. Quote: "How will the 'morning star rising in our hearts' open us to new possibilities of listening and growing in relationship with Jesus?"

At this week’s Community Eucharist, it was great to have another opportunity this term to hear from Jennifer, our Director of Contextual Training, who preached the sermon. As we anticipated the Sunday before Lent, we explored and reflected on the theme of transformation.

Lovely meeting prospective ordinands, independent students & their families at our Open Day yesterday. We enjoyed spending time with you all & be assured of our prayers as you discern the next steps in your journey.

Unable to visit this time? Join us for our next Open Day: https://buff.ly/KKrMJIE

We’re counting down the hours until our Open Day begins! We’re excited to welcome everyone visiting today and sharing a taster of what it might be to live, study and worship at Westcott House.

Image: Revd Tim Harling, Dean of Chapel, Queens’ College, Cambridge Quote: ‘Acknowledging that God changes people by loving them into change, how do we actually do that with people whose views we find abhorrent.’

A joy to be joined at our Sung Eucharist by alumnus and guest preacher, Revd Tim Harling, Dean of Chapel at Queens’. As we anticipated the 2nd Sunday before Lent & Racial Justice Sunday, Tim’s sermon encouraged us to consider how we challenge & change views, & how we ‘love into being’ God's kingdom

One week to go until our first Open Day of 2026! If you’ve not had chance to book a place, it’s not too late to come along for a visit, look around, and see what we can offer. Register via the QR code or visit: https://buff.ly/hB36SsP

Image: Dr Julia Snyder, Lecturer in New Testament, Westcott House. Quote: ‘This story is about faithful people who are ready for God to do new things in the world.’

Preaching at tonight's Community Eucharist, as we anticipated Candlemas, our Lecturer in New Testament, Julia reflected in her sermon on Luke 2, where Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem.

Photo of Revd Jennifer Totney, Director of Contextual Training at Westcott House, in Old Court Garden.

Warmest congratulations to our Director of Contextual Training, Revd Jennifer Totney, who has been appointed Ministry Development Lead in the Diocese of Carlisle. Jennifer has made a huge contribution to the work of the college and will be missed by us all. Full announcement: https://buff.ly/Vj6vjmg

2/2 This begins with being graced with love, and continues through ‘catharsis’ & contemplation to union with God. That journey we revisit annually through the liturgical year and in the longer term, through retreat & sabbatical time. 📷 Acacia branch with thorns from the Sinai desert, taken by Nick.

Photo of an acacia branch with thorns from the Sinai desert, taken by Canon Nick Moir, Acting Chaplain, Westcott House.

1/2 Last week our Acting Chaplain, Canon Nick Moir, led our termly Quiet Day which took us into the wilderness – and invited us to map out not only the coming Lent term but our whole life of ministry as a journey.

Image: Revd Jennifer Totney, Director of Contextual Training, Westcott House. Quote: ‘In these transforming encounters with Jesus, those seeking power confront vulnerability, and what looked like weakness offers strength in the power of God.’

As we anticipated the Conversion of St Paul at tonight’s worship, in the discussion as part of our Café Church Eucharist, we explored if the ‘Conversion’ of Paul is the most helpful title for this feast, reflecting together on the dynamics of power and weakness.

Register a place at one of our Open Days to explore the opportunities for training, formation for ministry, and independent study that we can offer at Westcott House. Scan the QR to book a place or visit https://buff.ly/hB36SsP

#vocation #ordinandlife #discernment

Booking closes soon for our hybrid in-person & online short course in Trauma and Theology. Explore current thinking in trauma studies, contemporary research in trauma theology, trauma-informed pastoral/spiritual care & much more. Scan QR for full course details or visit: https://buff.ly/3d012Np

Registrations for our short course on the Acts of the Apostles close on Monday. Join Dr Julia Snyder to develop skills in biblical interpretation & critical awareness of the key themes in this New Testament study of the Book of Acts. Scan QR for more info or visit https://buff.ly/ehjVaSF

3/3 We were encouraged to think of what it would be like to respond to people’s questions about church, or faith or God, with that simple invitation to ‘come and see’.

2/3 Preaching the sermon, and as we anticipated the 2nd Sunday of Epiphany, our Vice Principal, Rachel, considered the invitation in John 1 from Jesus to his first followers where he did not answer their questions or give them answers - he simply said to ‘come and see’.