In February, Emily Fraser along with four other Trinity College students were ordained to the diaconate at St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne. For the first time this ceremony was presided over by a woman, Bishop Barbara Darling.
Emily described the event: ‘It was an immense occasion; when I turned around and looked at my family I felt overcome with emotion,’ she said.
Emily has been part of the Trinity College Theological School (TCTS) since 2010 and a resident at Trinity since 2011. She is currently studying a PhD through the MCD University of Divinity; prior to this she undertook a Master of Divinity and attended the Theological School's Ministry Formation Program. Emily chose to study at Trinity due to the excellent reputation of the Theological School.
‘The support at Trinity has been wonderful – truly magnificent,’ Emily commented. As a PhD student, Emily is the recipient of a scholarship from the College and also the Turner Research Fellow at TCTS.
Emily commented that working towards becoming ordained was very challenging – the work and time needed to dedicate to the process was intense, but at the same time thoroughly rewarding.
‘To ensure we were prepared, Dean of the Theological School, Revd Professor Dorothy Lee, took us on a retreat to reflect on our past and future journeys,’ Emily said.
Going forward Emily plans to become ordained into the priesthood and would like to look after her own Parish Ministry.
