A new day, a new academic congregation! Photos with one of our fantastic graduating students and lots of wonderful colleagues #DUCongregation @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Delighted to attend congregations today to celebrate w/ graduating students enjoying the fruit of their hard work. Plus, it’s an opportunity to share w/ colleagues who help students to succeed. Photos w/ one such remarkable graduate & two wonderful colleagues @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

The Listening Service is available throughout the summer vacation period @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Do join us this evening. The business will be short, and the panel discussion focussed on a pressing issue @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Recently, the Revd Sarah Heslop started as the new Chaplain of St John’s College. We’re pleased to welcome Sarah to the Chaplaincy Network! @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

What’s the collective noun for a group of chaplains?! This morning, the chaplains had their annual summer gathering - indoors as rain prevented gathering outside, but with much joy and cake! Pictured are many but not all of the University’s chaplains @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Today, I visited the excellent display in the Bill Bryson Library at Durham University celebrating Gypsy, Roma & Traveller Month. If you’re a member of the library, it’s well worth pausing to read the information boards and taking a look at the books @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Today, it was a pleasure to attend Rick Simpson’s Installation in Durham Cathedral as the new Bishop of Durham. Here, I’m pictured in the Chapter House with Krish Gadhia (Durham University Hindu Society) and Brenda Dinsdale (Newcastle Reform Synagogue) @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Join County Durham Faiths Network on 22 June 6.30pm at Stephenson College. The AGM will include a panel discussion on ‘religious-based hate incidents in the UK: understanding & responding to ensure safety locally’. Please confirm attendance - [email protected] @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Eid Mubarak to Muslim students, staff and friends celebrating Eid al-Adha! @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

‘Inspiring Images’: an inspiring image from Andrew. Andrew hopes this image that inspires him will also inspire @durham.ac.uk students during this busy and stressful term @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

‘Inspiring Images’: an inspiring image from Kate. Kate hopes this image that inspires her will also inspire @durham.ac.uk students during this busy and stressful term @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

‘Inspiring Images’: an inspiring image from Andrew. Andrew hopes this image that inspires him will also inspire @durham.ac.uk students during this busy and stressful term @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

‘Inspiring Images’: an inspiring image from Gavin. Gavin hopes this image that inspires him will also inspire @durham.ac.uk students during this busy and stressful term @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

‘Inspiring Images’: an inspiring image from Tom. Tom hopes this image that inspires him will also inspire @durham.ac.uk students during this busy and stressful term @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Join our Buddhist Chaplain and colleagues at the Oriental Museum for a celebration of Wesak (Buddha’s Birthday) on 24 May. All are welcome @durham.ac.uk @ducollections.bsky.social @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

‘Inspiring Images’: an inspiring image from Peter. Peter hopes this image that inspires him will also inspire @durham.ac.uk students during this busy and stressful term @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

‘Inspiring Images’: an inspiring image from Fiona. Fiona hopes this image that inspires her will also inspire @durham.ac.uk students during this busy and stressful term @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

‘Inspiring Images’: an inspiring image from Sam. Sam hopes this image that inspires him will also inspire @durham.ac.uk students during this busy and stressful term @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

‘Inspiring Images’: an inspiring image from Alex. Alex hopes this image that inspires him will also inspire @durham.ac.uk students during this busy and stressful term @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

‘Inspiring Images’: an inspiring image from Marie. Marie hopes this image that inspires her will also inspire @durham.ac.uk students during this busy and stressful term @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

‘Inspiring Images’: an inspiring image from Heather. Heather hopes this image that inspires her will also inspire @durham.ac.uk students during this busy and stressful term @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

‘Inspiring Images’: an inspiring image from Mahshid. Mahshid hopes this image that inspires her will also inspire @durham.ac.uk students during this busy and stressful term @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

‘Inspiring Images’: an inspiring image from Jed. Jed hopes this image that inspires him will also inspire @durham.ac.uk students during this busy and stressful term @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Today begins Mental Heath Awareness Week 2026. We know it helps to talk to someone in confidence who will listen non-judgementally. The chaplains are here to listen to all @durham.ac.uk students and staff @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

‘Inspiring Images’: an inspiring image from Julia. She hopes this image that inspires her will also inspire @durham.ac.uk students during this busy and stressful term @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Happy to be back at Alnmouth Friary this morning to celebrate the Eucharist w/ the brothers, guests & friends. It’s lovely to see a community of 8 young men living out a Franciscan vocation in C21st. (They’re not pictured as they were busy clearing up after breakfast when these photos were taken!)

Each post will comprise an inspiring image & some words of explanation from the relevant chaplain. Pictured: Illumination Window in Durham Cathedral. It commemorates Sara Pilkington, a Combined Arts student. It was designed & created by Mel Howse @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Happy Wesak to Buddhist students, staff and friends celebrating the birth, enlightenment and Parinirvana (death) of the Buddha this month @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Join Heather & Robert, our Buddhist Chaplains, for meditation sessions to end the working week & begin the weekend open to all @durham.ac.uk students. No previous experience required. Each session is followed by an opportunity to chat over a cuppa in the TLC café @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Cherry trees blossoming at Durham University @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Yesterday, Franciscan friar & YouTuber Fr Casey Cole gave a lecture on ‘Healing wounds: a Franciscan mission in a world misshaped by screens’ in Durham. It was good to hear a distinctive perspective on Catholic engagement w/ social media that seeks to be positive & meaningful

Happy Vaisakhi to Sikh students, staff and friends celebrating the creation of the Khalsa (community of initiated Sikhs)! @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

He is risen! The chaplains wish Orthodox Christian students, staff and friends a happy Pascha/Easter @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

A glorious Easter Monday on Observatory Hill in Durham

Happy Easter! Today, Christians throughout the world celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

This morning, most of the University’s Anglican chaplains joined w Acting Bishop of Durham, clergy & lay leaders for an uplifting Chrism Eucharist in Durham Cathedral. It’s a special opportunity for deacons, priests & bishops to renew their ordination vows @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Chag Pesach Sameach to Jewish students, staff and friends celebrating Passover! @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Last week, I enjoyed a spiritually-invigorating retreat on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Pictures: monks carrying St Cuthbert’s coffin, St Cuthbert, St Aidan (founder of the Lindisfarne community) & view of the Castle with the Priory ruins in the foreground @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Eid Mubarak! It was a pleasure to drop into today’s Eid celebration at the Oriental Museum in Durham. Thanks go to the Islamic Society & colleagues at the Oriental Museum for organising a fun & friendly event. Pictured w/ 2 students & 2 of my sons @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Eid Mubarak to Muslim students, staff and friends of @durham.ac.uk! @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Join the County Durham Faiths Network for an evening of interfaith sharing on ‘“Love you neighbour”: what does this mean to you, and how do you put it into practice?’ @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Great to be at St Andrew’s Church in Newcastle for a wonderful Iftar: warm, friendly Geordie hospitality w/ a focus on unity & peace. Especially good to hear from a Sri Lankan refugee about the welcome he received on arriving in Newcastle. I enjoyed seeing old friends too! @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Mahshid (Muslim Chaplain) & I participated in discussion today w/ students in Theology & Religion & Dr Guillermo Martin Saiz & Fran Brandon-Higgs (SU). We discussed Islamophobia, interfaith dialogue & benefits of engaging with those different from ourselves @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Yesterday, it was an honour to participate in the election of the next Bishop of Durham in my role as an honorary canon of Durham Cathedral @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

The chaplains send greetings to everyone celebrating International Women’s Day! We give especial thanks today for our women chaplains @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Happy Holi to Hindu students, staff and friends of @durham.ac.uk celebrating today! @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Students & colleagues at @durham.ac.uk: if you’d value support, please reach out to the chaplains - email [email protected] or find contact details for all the chaplains at www.durham.ac.uk/faith-support @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

A personal reflection: Lent begins quietly for me this year after a busy day with this book created by the Society of Francis… ‘Ash Wednesday gives us that… invitation: to name what needs healing - in ourselves, in our communities, and in our relationship with creation’ @shaidmahmood.bsky.social

Ramadan Mubarak to Muslim students, staff and friends beginning the month of Ramadan! @durham.ac.uk @shaidmahmood.bsky.social