Pilgrims 10 year Anniversary Dinner
It is ten years since Pilgrim Theological College was founded as an independent college. It is the latest expression of theological education in the Uniting Church and its predecessors.
The Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational churches began thinking about training for ministry soon after they were formed in Hobart in the 1820s, and then in Melbourne in the 1830s.
The University of Melbourne was founded on a constitution in which the teaching of theology was forbidden in the University – much to the chagrin of the churches. Ormond College was founded as the Presbyterian College for training ministers in 1881, and Queen’s College in 1887. The Congregational College, built in Carlton, preceded them, opening in 1862.
The colleges participated in the formation of the Melbourne College of Divinity, an early ecumenical project, in 1910. It was a compromise. After much debate and lobbying, the government of the day would not allow theology to be taught at Melbourne University but allowed the formation of the Melbourne College of Divinity to offer university degrees.
Around 1973, prior to the formation of the Uniting Church, and, in part, preparation for it, the United Faculty of Theology was formed, including the Anglicans, Congregationalists, Jesuits, Methodists and Presbyterians. This ecumenical partnership continued until 2014. It was with some sadness that this partnership ceased at that time, after the Melbourne College of Divinity became the University of Divinity in 2012. And thus, Pilgrim College was formed as a separate entity of the Uniting Church. Thus, while we celebrate the past 10 years and its achievements, there is also a note of sadness that the ecumenical partnership no longer exists. Nevertheless, collaboration continues in the context of the University of Divinity.
On Friday 17th October, students and staff who have participated in the life of Pilgrim Theological College over the past 10 years were invited to a dinner to celebrate the occasion. Three people spoke of their experiences. Over the past 10 years, 625 students have enrolled for a unit of study at Pilgrim and 190 students have graduated from a full course of study. Forty-four students have been ordained into the ministry of the Uniting Church. Rev Duncan Turuva, a former student, told how Pilgrim had been a happy place for him as he had explored his faith and prepared for ministry.
A total of 44 staff have been employed at Pilgrim College, most of them in a teaching capacity, and including current and former adjunct staff. Assoc Prof Monica Melanchthon is our longest serving faculty member. She began teaching in the United Faculty of Theology when the Anglicans and Jesuits combined with the Uniting Church for theological education and the Department of Old Testament studies consisted of several people. She noted there had been a number of transitions over the past ten years, and she had worked with four Heads of College during that time. Each transition, she said, came with challenges, but ensured the College did not stagnate!
Pilgrim College is governed by two institutions. Firstly, Pilgrim is governed by the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania and by the University of Divinity. Prof Natalie Sims spoke as the chair of the Theological and Education Ministry Committee, the Committee of the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, to which Pilgrim is immediately responsible. She spoke of the role of governance, helping to make sure that the structures and facilities are available for education to take place. She also reminded us all that the impact of what Pilgrim does permeates the whole church and beyond through the ministry of Pilgrim graduates, as well as through the public education in which Pilgrim is involved.
Towards the close of the evening, Erlinda Loverseed cut a 10th anniversary cake. Erlinda has held the position of registrar of the College from the very beginning of Pilgrim College. The knowledgeable and gracious way she has dealt with students over the past 10 years has been fundamental to the existence of the College!
At the close of the evening, the most recent member of Faculty, Rev Dr Daniel Sihombing, gave a blessing, wishing Pilgrim and its students and staff God’s blessings for the future.
Philip Hughes
Acting Head of College