Connecting the dots

It often happens in life that as one door closes, another door opens. For Will, who officially retired in 2023, this new chapter of life has brought a fresh vocation - as (voluntary) Chaplain with Wycliffe’s Chaplaincy Team.

Wycliffe is thus the grateful beneficiary of Will’s broad scope of experience in diverse aspects of ministry, mission and pastoral care. All of which he’ll be drawing on to enrich the support he endeavours to bring to the Hall community.

Revd Will Donaldson writes:

“It is wonderful for me to be allowed to offer pastoral and prayerful support to students and staff alike and I hope the different dimension of my previous work will help me to do this well.”

“Firstly, I hope I bring strong experience of parish ministry, having spent 25 years serving in local church leadership before I came to Oxford in 2007. Curacies in Liverpool and Reigate, and incumbencies in Bristol and London have allowed me to minister in widely diverse contexts, including urban, suburban and market town.”

“Secondly, I have served as part of the Vocations process, having been a DDO in the London Diocese (2004–7), as well as a tutor at Wycliffe Hall (2007–13), overseeing the ministerial training of students and teaching the theology and practice of Christian Leadership.”

“Thirdly, I have had considerable opportunities for pastoral care, having been Director of Pastoral Care at St Aldates Church (2013–19) and a University Chaplain (2013–19) at St Edmund Hall, Oxford. This is in addition to the wealth of pastoral ministry that happens in parish ministry, including weddings, funerals and baptisms.”

“Fourthly, I have always held the mission of the church as a high priority, mobilizing the local church to connect well with neighbours, colleagues and friends, as well as doing community outreach and multi-cultural mission. My most recent work for the Oxford Diocese was in the field of church planting and forming new worshipping communities, with the aim of growing 750 new congregations in the current decade.”

“Fifthly, I hope I bring a breath of experience of the Church of England, having served as the Area Dean of Oxford (2015–19) and always attended Deanery Synods and Chapters, as well as Diocesan Evangelical Fellowships. This enables me to talk with students about the current opportunities and challenges of serving within the Church of England.”

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Will has offered Wycliffe two mornings a week during term time, as well as undertaking occasional teaching, supporting a fellowship group and leading Hall missions.

Will concludes: “I am so grateful to the Principal and the Senior Leadership of the Hall for giving me these opportunities. If some of what I bring helps to enrich the training of our wonderful students, then I shall be very happy!”