Pilgrim students recognised at valedictory service

Pilgrim Theological College farewelled 44 students at a ceremonial service on 31 October.

Twenty one were able to attend the ceremony at the Centre for Theology and Ministry where they were recognised for completing, or almost completing, a variety of awards. Six were exiting candidates for ministry.

Synod of Victoria and Tasmania Moderator Denise Liersch was among the valedictorians, having completed a Graduate Certificate in Leadership.

Banyule Network Minister Rev Sandy Brodine gave the valedictory address, where she reflected on the Gospel story of Zacchaeus, the despised tax collector who Jesus surprisingly decided to stay with.

“Whatever the reason that Zacchaeus climbed that tree to see Jesus, the important thing is that Jesus made eye contact with him – he sees Zacchaeus,” Sandy said.

“What seems to be a story about a short man wanting to see Jesus is turned on its head into a story about being seen by Jesus.

“Zacchaeus is seen not merely because he is up a tree but because it is Jesus’s mission to see those who are excluded and marginalised.”

Sandy associated Zacchaeus’s story with her congregation’s relationship with Banyule’s transgender community.

“I find it hard to think of a group that has been more actively marginalised and victimised than the trans community, but their friendship has been a gift to us, as I hope ours has been to them,” she said.

“The truth about the world is there are lots of people climbing a tree, clambering to find a place where they can be loved, accepted and seen.”

Here is a list of the 2019 valedictorians and exiting ministry candidates:

Advanced Diploma in Theology and Ministry

Amanda Jane Cooke

Bachelor of Theology

Theodora Ghaitidis, Alexis Ward

Graduate Certificate in Children and Families Ministry

Claire Dawe, Brenton Prigge, Anthea Maynard, Julie Penno, Jillian Ross, Jeffrey Savage.

Graduate Certificate in Divinity

Timothy Angus, Tupe Ioeleu, James Leslie, Margaret Dahl.

Graduate Certificate in Leadership

James Aaron, Nicole Fleming, Robert Floyd, Danielle Hemsworth-Smith, Faaimata Hiliau, Rachel Kronberger, Denise Liersch, Cameron McAdam, Bronwyn Murphy, Robin Yang.

Graduate Certificate in Research Methodology

Luke Edwards.

Graduate Certificate in Theology

Nicole Gyomber.

Graduate Diploma in Theology

Daniel Farnsworth, Brent Pelton.

Master of Divinity

Hoansung (Mike) You.

Master of Theological Studies

Lorraine Blamires, Fiona Bottcher, Ann Cantwell-Bartl, Annettia Goldsmith, Heather Hon, Ye (Viola) Liang, Timothy Marshall, Yoo Mi Park, Fiona Winn.

Master of Theology (Research)

John O’Connor.

Doctor of Theology

Christopher Cotter.

Doctor of Philosophy

Andrew Calder, Bryan Cones, Cathryn McKinney, Kathleen Ross, Jacob Joseph.

 Exit Candidates from the Formation Program

Joy Blamires, for ordination to Ministry of the Word in the Port Phillip East Presbytery.

Fiona Bottcher, for ordination to Ministry of Deacon in the Port Phillip West Presbytery.

Annettia Goldsmith, for ordination to Ministry of the Word in the Tasmania Presbytery.

Ye (Viola) Liang, for ordination to Ministry of the Word in the Yarra Yarra Presbytery.

Yoo Mi Park, for ordination to Ministry of the Word in the Port Phillip West Presbytery.

Hoansung (Mike) You, for ordination to Ministry of the Word in the Yarra Yarra Presbytery.