The Reverend Dr Helen Orchard is appointed the next Chaplain of Christ’s College. She will join the College at the start of Easter Term.
Dr Orchard has studied and worked in a variety of contexts. These include the universities of Cambridge, Oxford, Sheffield and London, and the NHS in Birmingham and Sheffield. Her first degree was in Biblical Studies, with a PhD exploring person of Christ in John’s Gospel. She subsequently worked for the NHS developing hospital-based cancer services, as well as undertaking research into the delivery of multi-faith chaplaincy services for The King’s Fund in London.
Helen trained for ordination in the Church of England at Westcott House, during which time she also undertook an MPhil in Christian Theology at Emmanuel College. She then served as a parish priest in Guildford and Southwark, and as Chaplain-Fellow for Exeter College, Oxford. Further study at Heythrop College in the area of Christian spirituality prompted the development of her current research interest in medieval mystical theology and iconography. For the last two years she has pursued this work as a Research Fellow at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, while also serving as vicar of St Matthew’s Church, Wimbledon.
Dr Orchard said:
“I am very much looking forward to joining the community at Christ’s and getting to know students, staff and Fellows. I really enjoy chaplaincy work: it provides lots of opportunities for being alongside students as they develop their emotional and spiritual intelligence, as well as their intellectual capacity and resilience. I’m also looking forward to working with our excellent choir in a beautiful chapel, which I hope the whole community will find a welcoming and inspiring space.”
The Master, Simon, Lord McDonald of Salford welcomed Dr Orchard and said:
“Helen will be our first female Chaplain, and the first Chaplain also to be a Fellow. In her first contacts with the College, she has assured me of the warmth of those she has met. I hope that collectively we can turn the first impression into a lasting one: she will be a wonderful addition to the College.”