Chapter 25: St Marks National Theological College Ministry Intensive, Canberra, July 11-13 2014

Last week I attended the Advanced Diploma of Ministry and Theology Ministry Intensive at St Marks National Theological College, Canberra, conducted by Bishop-Elect Rev. David Robinson, who will be consecrated as Bishop of Rockhampton on September 2, 2014. Rev. David has been guiding my distance studies in Anglican ministry since January 2013. I spent an enjoyable and relaxing week before the Intensive at a family reunion in Adelaide, catching up with my Ridge, Speer, Wilson and Baitup relatives, and also fitted in visits to some of my former church communities, St Peter's Anglican Cathedral, St Ann's Anglican University College, and Clearview Uniting Church. 

Clearview Uniting Church, Central Ave, Clearview. This church was originally founded as a Presbyterian congregation by my father George Melville Simpson, who was Vestry Clerk of the founding Committee in 1954. Following the Union of the Presbyterian, Congregational and Methodist communions it became a Uniting Church, and is now led by Rev. K. Colliver and Committee Chair Doug Amey.

St Ann's Anglican College, North Adelaide, my home during my BA student years.

It was particularly good to share family history research and ministry experiences with my cousin Rev. Keith Ridge (4th from left below) and his wife Wendy, recently retired from ministry with the Church of Christ, but (as most retired ministers are) still very active in parish life.

I flew to Canberra from Adelaide on Thursday 10th July, and spent Friday 11th and Saturday 12th July at St Marks College, Blackall Street, Canberra. The well equipped College is set among pleasant native gardens overlooking Lake Burley Griffin, close to the Charles Sturt University Centre for Australian Culture and Christianity. We engaged in sessions on Evangelism, Leadership and Change, discussed and presented our term assignments, and were treated to delicious home-cooked meals while sharing our parish ministry experiences. My student colleagues come from diverse educational and occupational backgrounds, both urban and rural locations, both traditional and evangelical Anglican parishes, and all ages: I was pleasantly surprised to find many other mature age students attending. Some are just beginning theur studies, and others are well advanced, with a few attempting Masters level studies. We attended Morning and Evening Prayer (using APBA Daily Prayer with Psalm and Gospel readings) in the College Chapel each day.

On Sunday morning (July 13th) we attended a delightful Christmas in July Service presented by a St Marks student team at Grace Chapel, set in the grounds of the Meredith Burgmann Anglican School at Gunghalin. The style of the well attended family Service was informal and welcoming, with carols, a Kidspot session, and "show bag" children's gifts, which kept the children happy and occupied during the sermon. Several St Marks students are training for Defence Services Chaplaincy, and the sermon was preached by Craig, who provided insights on combining family life with army chaplaincy. After the Service we went to the school library, where the incoming St Marks Director, Rev. Andrew Cameron, was introduced to us. Rev. Andrew then listened to and commented on each student's account of their ministry studies, community, vocation and progress, and invited us to continue engaging with him for vocation support and feedback.

After Sunday luncheon at a local restaurant we drove to Goulburn for a hospitable winter evening prayer service at St Saviour's Cathedral, organised by another St Marks student team, and hosted by Bishop Stuart Robinson and the Rev. Archdeacon Caroline Campbell. The weather was freezing, but enthusiastic singing of Hillsong-style praise songs led by Ruth and Susan, a brilliant sermon on the parable of the sower preached by Tim Williams, warm knitted blankets and piping hot minestrone and pumpkin soup and rolls following the service broke the ice. It was great to meet the Canberra-Goulburn Anglican Diocese students and reconnect with the Bathurst Diocese students, who from now on will be attending Intensives at St Marks Canberra. Thanks to Michelle and Dan for helping me with transport, and for the warm welcome provided by St Marks staff.