Blogs • Revd Tim Hurd (Former Chaplain)

“A community of mutual care”. That’s a phrase the Warden has distilled to describe one of the essential elements of the Selwyn College identity.

As well as being a universal trait of healthy human communities, it resonates strongly with the Christian foundations of the College.

But just unpacking that for a moment, what does it actually mean?

It means - as the events and dramatic traditions of Orientation Week try to express - that “we’re all in this together”: that both Freshers and Returners are part of the same extended household or village or family - whatever metaphor works for you.

That we are also - although one College - made of unique and differently gifted individuals. To care mutually, means respecting difference and diversity, giving people the space they need to find and shape themselves in the University and College environment.

That we learn to live in relationship with others: to be attentive, to be tolerant, to be able to accept another’s help and friendship and foibles.

And somewhere in all of that, we find ourselves more fully. And perhaps we find something more as well:

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:1-2

I wish you all well as Selwyn 2009 continues to discover its identity.