Team
For more than a century, Oxford students have found the Pastorate chaplains to be men and women of mature Christian faith who are willing to support and encourage young adults in their life and faith journeys. The current Pastorate team continue on this trajectory, seeking through personal contact and occasional events to encourage the flourishing of true and lively faith among Oxford's graduate students.
Chaplain
Revd Dr Jonathan Brant is the Oxford Pastorate Chaplain. He wrote a DPhil in Theology at Trinity College, Oxford which drew upon systematic theology, film theory and qualitative research in considering the potential religious impact of contemporary Latin American cinema. Prior to coming to Oxford, Jonathan worked for Anglican churches in London and South America. Jonathan is the award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction books which introduce young people to the joys and the mysteries of the Christian faith. He is married to Tricia and has a ten year-old son, Isaac. (Contact Jonathan)
Associate Chaplains
Emilie Noteboom is pursuing a DPhil degree in Christian Ethics and combines her research with service to the Oxford graduate community as an Associate Chaplain with the Oxford Pastorate. Emilie’s background is in law and she has practised law at the bar in Amsterdam for several years. Emilie has also served in missions in places as diverse as Africa, India and South East Asia and she loves meeting new people and learning about cultures. Emilie is originally from the Netherlands but has lived most of her life abroad and feels at home where her friends are. Emilie enjoys all things out-doors, especially rowing, downhill skiing and swimming. Her favourite activity is laughing so hard that it feels like she’s having a work-out. Contact Emilie
The Revd Christian Hofreiter combines his role as Oxford Pastorate Associate Chaplain with research toward a DPhil in biblical interpretation. Before coming to Oxford, he worked as a university lecturer in his native Innsbruck, Austria, and as an international government relations associate in Washington, DC. Through many ups and downs, he has forged a deep conviction that nothing can separate us from the love of God, that “all things work together for the good of those who love him.” The thrill of seeing others taste the goodness of God has been the most rewarding aspect of his ministry in Austria, the US and now the UK. To relax, Christian loves to ski, hike and swim in lakes – and to hang out with his wife Helen, who works in micro-finance. (Contact Christian)
Intern
Mary Catherine Stevens is settling into her second year of living in Oxford. Her husband Syman is working on his DPhil in Philosophy of Physics at Exeter College. Mary Catherine comes to Oxford from the Washington D.C. area, where she spent a few years working as the Director of Event Planning for a non-profit. She enjoys design, events and all sorts of hosting and hospitality. Mary Catherine is grateful for the vibrant community she has found at Oxford and is excited to help others find the same. She enjoys helping run a blog designed to help connect and encourage spouses of graduate students. She spends her time chasing around her toddler daughter, as well as painting, reading and enjoying tea with friends. (Contact Mary Catherine)
The chaplains are supported in their ministry by the Trustees and Council Members who have overall responsibility for the administration and work of the charitable trust. The Trustees are all Senior Members of Oxford University while the Council is a more diverse group composed of academics, Rectors of evangelical Anglican churches of Oxford, and others who have particular gifts or expertise which they are willing to exercise in support of the Pastorate's mission.