Chaplaincy team
University Chaplain
The Revd Dr Donald MacEwan
The Chaplain's full title is Chaplain to the University. He is Chaplain to the whole University, to students, to all staff, and can be contacted at the Chaplaincy or for emergency pastoral care on his mobile, +44 (0)7713 32 2036.
Full biography
- Email:
- dgm21@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 2865
Assistant University Chaplain
The Revd Samantha Ferguson
Sam will be involved in most of the Chaplaincy’s life, from taking services to interfaith events, from meeting international students to offering pastoral care to staff and students.
Full biography
- Email:
- sjf6@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 1766
Assistant University Chaplain
Bill Shackman
In addition to meeting with students for pastoral care, Bill supports the Chaplaincy’s environmental program, Garden for Reflection, Interfaith Steering Group, Scriptural Reasoning and Coexistence Initiative.
Full biography
- Email:
- bs58@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 4046
Chaplaincy secretaries
Honorary Chaplains
Honorary Global Chaplain
Fiona Barnard
Fiona loves meeting students and staff from all over the world. She oversees our Local Link scheme which introduces students, for whom English is not their first language, to local people – see further information on the Chaplaincy website. She is also an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) tutor through Fife Council where, among others, she enjoys teaching partners of those at the university. Recently trained in Ignatian Spiritual Direction, she is glad to offer accompaniment for staff and students seeking to explore prayer in daily life.
- Email:
- fvb@st-andrews.ac.uk
Honorary Church of Scotland Chaplain
Revd Jane Barron
Jane has worked in and around St Andrews, particularly with congregations around the East Neuk, for the last few years. She was an English teacher and a radio journalist before training for ministry at Christ’s College Aberdeen. Ordained to Stobswell Church, Dundee in 1999 and since then has been minister to St Andrews Scots Memorial Church, Jerusalem and St Andrews Galilee, and St Machar’s Cathedral Aberdeen. Jane was inducted to the parish of Ceres, Kemback and Springfield in December 2021.
- Email:
- jlb31@st-andrews.ac.uk
Honorary Humanist Chaplain
Sandy Edwards
Sandy previously taught Biology at the University and is now retired but still does fieldwork with some teaching. He is a Humanist funeral celebrant and has held various posts in the Humanist Society Scotland. Sandy is on the committee of the Spiritual and Healthcare department in NHS Tayside and works as a volunteer at Ninewells Hospital.
- Email:
- ase1@st-andrews.ac.uk
Honorary Roman Catholic Church Chaplain
Revd Michael John Galbraith
Father Michael John is the Parish Priest of St James in St Andrews on the Scores opposite Canmore, the Catholic Chaplaincy.
- Email:
- mjg23@st-andrews.ac.uk
Honorary Jewish Chaplains
Rabbi Eliran Shabo and Ayalah Shapira-Shabo
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.
- Email:
- eliran@mychaplaincy.co.uk
Honorary Pagan Chaplain
Kitty Macintyre
Kitty has worked in the University administration for nearly 40 years, having been a student here before that. She enjoys her regular contact with Pagan students and any other students who cross her path.
- Email:
- klkm@st-andrews.ac.uk
Honorary Lay Jewish Chaplain
Professor Emily Michelson
Emily offers support to Jewish students in teaching, hospitality, organizing services and other events, and in taking part in Jewish Society events. Emily is married to our Assistant Chaplain, Bill Shackman.
- Email:
- edm21@st-andrews.ac.uk
Honorary Cornerstone Chaplain
Revd Dr Jared Michelson
Jared grew up in the United States but has lived and worked in St Andrews with his wife Becky since 2013 while pursuing post-graduate education. In 2018 Jared became the lead Pastor at Cornerstone Church in St Andrews.
- Email:
- jm282@st-andrews.ac.uk
Honorary Orthodox Chaplain
The Very Revd. Archimandrite Avraamy Neyman
Fr Avraamy is a priest and monk from the Russian Orthodox Church who moved to Scotland in 2007 and is based in Dundee.
- Email:
- xaneyman@yahoo.co.uk
Honorary Buddhist Chaplain
Dr Sam Pehrson
Sam is a lecturer in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience. He works with the student-led Buddhist Meditation Society to run the weekly meditation and reading and discussion group. He is happy to meet anybody in the university interested in any aspect of Buddhist practice.
- Email:
- sdp21@st-andrews.ac.uk
Honorary Islamic Chaplain
Imam Vali Hussein
Imam Vali Hussein works with the St Andrews Muslim Students Association in organising Friday Prayers and is available to students and staff on any issue in connection with Islam.
- Email:
- vali@worldcarefoundation.org
Honorary Pentecostal Chaplain
Revd Dr Jill Walker
Jill is an Assemblies of God Minister who has recently moved back to Fife having lived in Yorkshire for 30 years. She has taught in both higher and secondary education and has worked as a counsellor. Currently Jill is employed as a Schools Development Worker with K2 (an associate trust of Scripture Union) in NE Fife and is also Chaplain to East Fife Girls' and Women's FC.
- Email:
- cjw40@st-andrews.ac.uk
Local faith contacts
Hindu
Sunil Sharma
Tayside Hindu Cultural and Community Centre
10 Taylor's Lane
Dundee
DD2 1AQ
Phone: +44 (0)1382 66 9652
Email: svs4@st-andrews.ac.uk
Facebook: Tayside Hindu Cultural and Community Centre Facebook page
Lutheran
Revd Wade Bellesbach
St Columba Lutheran Church
151 Westwood Hill
East Kilbride
G75 8QA
Email (Wade Bellesbach): wmb4@st-andrews.ac.uk
Email (St Columba Lutheran Church): pastor@stcolumba.lutheranchurch.org.uk
Methodist
Revd Dr Sue Jansen
Dundee Methodist Church
20 West Marketgait
Dundee
DD1 1QR
Email: suejansen934@yahoo.com
Unitarian Christian
Revd Dr Rob Whiteman
Dundee Unitarians
Williamson Memorial Unitarian Christian Church
Dudhope Street
Dundee
DD1 1JT
Email: rbwhiteman@gmail.com