A Letter from The Rev. Dr. Dean Jobin-Bevans
During his continuing studies and residency at Ridley Hall, University of Cambridge, The Rev. Dr. Dean Jobin-Bevans offers another glimpse into the rhythms of worship, learning, and spiritual reflection shaping his time abroad. Written on the Feast of the Ascension, this latest letter reflects on outdoor celebrations at Magdalene College, encounters with some of the Anglican Communion’s most respected theological voices, and the ways prayer, study, and community life continue to deepen his experience at Cambridge. We invite you to read Dean’s full Ascension Day letter below.
Feast of the Ascension, Thursday, May 14, 2026
Ridley Hall, University of Cambridge
Dear St. Paul’s Ambassadors,
God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Happy Ascension Day!
As you will know, the Feast of the Ascension is celebrated 40 days after Easter, marking the end of the Easter season. The Ascension is a big deal at Oxbridge colleges where many of the chapel choirs sing hymns and services out of doors. Magdalene College chapel and choir is no exception with Mattins being held this morning outside in the second court, and what a celebration it was!
As you may recall, a couple of weeks ago I had an encounter with N.T. Wright as I was coming out of Sunday service in Oxford. In another Oxbridge moment, I was in Magdalene chapel this past Sunday for the Baptism and Confirmation of students from the college. The presiding Bishop was Rowan Williams, which was a real treat as he not only celebrated but delivered the sermon, focusing on the theme of truth from John 14:15-21, the Gospel appointed for the day.
Of the many aspects of ‘truth’ Archbishop Rowan discussed, the ‘takeaway’ for me was his drawing attention to the way in which our commitment to be followers of Jesus, as professed at baptism and confirmation, reflects the truth of Jesus in our daily lives as Christians. By faithfully living out our commitment to Christ we made at the time of our baptism and confirmation, we become living proof of the truth of the presence of Jesus within our world today.
Morning Prayer in the Ridley Hall chapel continues to be interesting and unpredictable, but in a good way. For example, yesterday morning the ordinand leading the service had spent some time ministering in Wales where he began to learn Welsh. Now for any of you who speak or tried to learn Welsh, it is a very complicated language for a non-native speaker. However, we were encouraged to at least learn to say the doxology together, which we did with limited success. This exercise provided us with an insight into the challenges one faces when worshiping in a language that is not in your mother tongue. A valuable lesson for us all to remember!
I can report that I am slowly making my way through Tom Wright’s biography on Paul. For anyone who is interested in knowing more about the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul, I highly recommend this book. It gives important insights into Paul’s extraordinary ministry and the context for his letters written over the course of his many missionary travels.
In closing, I would like to offer an extract from the blessing of the water from the service of Baptism:
We give you thanks for your Holy Spirit who teaches us and leads us into all truth, filling us with his gifts so that we might proclaim the gospel to all nations and serve you as a royal priesthood. Amen.
Have a blessed Ascension Day!
Dean+