In December, the Parishes of Maleny and Freshwater hosted a service celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the ordination of the Rev’d Kaye Pitman, and The Ven Val Graydon and remembering with gratitude the ministry of Joan Pascoe, Leah Mary Shaw, Pat King, and Eileen Thompson.
Find below some Kaye’s reflection on 30 years of ordination and some images from the celebration.
Order of Service: A Thanksgiving for 30 Years of Ministry
Kaye’s Reflection on 30 Years
1.
It seemed to be such a good idea when Deb, Val and I were planning this celebration for our anniversary: instead of a sermon, Val and I can each give a short talk about our lives. But we wanted Deb to share the scripture message – as well as to prepare the liturgy, get it printed, organise the microphones and zoom, advertise the event, arrange the physical space, liaise with the guild, and a few other things, ….. so we have been blessed with that.
Now the short talk!
I look around at the faces in this congregation – my family, my friends and community, and I see an ocean of love that has supported me not just for 30 years, but for 80 odd years. From a young age, I knew that I was called to share God’s love in whatever way was opened for me.
For wonderful early nurturing years, regardless of secular constraints, my faith was strengthened by parish worship, my grandmother and mother, GFS leaders and loving friends. From that foundation, I have been aware of the strengthening love shared with me, and supporting me, as that ocean of love expanded over the years.
My vocation rolled out before me to be teaching, (to tend God’s lambs) and has taken me through several levels of the profession –
First as a primary school teacher (with 3 years of country service at Mapleton back in the 50’s)
Then as a missionary teacher in PNG ( being principal of a large school, as well as teaching 40 Year 6 students to prepare for entry to high school, caring for boarding students, and visiting 5 outstation schools, some with a long way to walk).
I had continued studying externally each year since college graduation with Qld University so I could offer the best to my students, and had 3 subjects to go. So I took leave for a year to return to Brisbane to complete my degree. Then, someone in this ocean of love before me now, used me as a “real missionary” to take on countless deputation talks! There was ‘pay-back’! She returned to PNG with me!
After that I became a teacher educator when we took the first group of Anglican students to join our Lutheran friends at Balob teachers’ college in Lae.
I see my slave-driving principal’s face in today’s loving ocean too.
2
After several years I was given a year’s study leave which I used by getting a scholarship to study for my Master’s degree at Calgary University in Alberta, Canada, while tutoring North American Indian students. The faces of those who shared God’s love there, continue to send me light from beyond, today.
After 14 years as a missionary, teacher education took me to the Northern Territory, where I had the privilege of developing a curriculum to assist aboriginal students to be teachers. The College at Batchelor began by using the old accommodation that had been for Rum Jungle miners, and after some years, moved into a very up-market campus that even had air conditioning in my office!
My pay packet was now not that of a missionary, but the ocean of love from community continued to support and light my way. Several are here in spirit today.
I was a leader in our little ecumenical church and trained and worked as a volunteer ambulance officer at the weekends. It was at this time that I had the opportunity to know the silence and strength of our Australian desert.
Through all these years my mother and sisters and friends supported me, visited me and made sure I didn’t get too pious. My sisters still try.
After such a great life, you would think it was wise to retire. Women could retire at 50 in the NT, and I knew I had completed my calling there, so I retired.
Had a great final drive home, Clare!
I had built a lovely little house at Coolum, and I launched into a new life of fishing, building in the lower level of the house and volunteering. I knew the call to follow God’s path was still my way: I became an LA at Coolum and cherished the love of that beautiful community. (I caught lots of fish too! I had to eat!)
I decided to do a couple of theology subjects that St Francis College was offering, and ……. and now we are celebrating the fact that we are two of the first six women ordained into the Anglican Church on this day back in 1992!
3
Many people had fought for years for the ordination of women. I had joined the Movement when I was in the NT, because I could see no theological reason for women’s exclusion. I enjoyed meeting with other like-minded people, but thought I was too old to be called to ordination. But here I was, and I knew I was in the right place.
This ocean of love had carried me here.
As a deacon, I served with the community at Drayton, near Toowoomba – such a time of joy – friendship – loving and caring.
In ‘92 I was asked to join the staff at St Francis College especially with the ministry formation of students called to be deacons, and then as priests. This used similar skills and experiences I had had as a teacher educator, so my life’s path continued on its way.
As well, I had the huge privilege and responsibility of sharing God’s love as a priest of the Church – a female priest! Part of my responsibility was to encourage others, and to be a worthy example for them.
During my 10 years at St Francis College, as well as doing my job, I was able to preside and preach at many parishes, work with Uniting and Catholic colleagues, serve on the Diocesan Council, represent us on the General Board of Religious Education, be the registrar for a national women’s conference, take retreats, organise wonderful arid zone retreats with Gary, followed by other western visits, and continue my life with GFS friends.
One year I even shared the principal’s role with my friend Don.
I spent my sabbatical travelling around the world interviewing women clergy and sharing views on our ministry.
On considering the pre-war date of my birth, I bought some land in Maleny in 98 and had my house built, and planted my suburban-lot rainforest, with the help of Wendy and three very able nephews.
So, when I turned 65 in 2001, I retired for the second time, and came to live in paradise.
Another new life! But the path was still there before me.
4
Maleny Parish has had to put up with me several times as a ‘fill-in’, I’ve managed about 20 locums in 10 years at various places especially in the Western areas, been GFS chaplain, Clergy Spouses’ Chaplain, and served on the Professional Standards Committee.
It has been a joy to celebrate Easter each year with western folk as far out as Windorah with my friend Di Murphy, and she is still doing it since I stopped in 2018. We also went on a round-the-world pilgrimage, visiting holy places we had read about and spending a week in thin places like Iona and Asissi and Taizé.
To raise money for the fares I tried Lotto, but doing locums was much more successful.
It sounds like a busy retirement, but it has been filled with opportunities to know and love so many people, to be fed by the beauty of creation in many places, and to be able to share the presence of Christ as a priest.
I cannot begin to express my appreciation for this ocean of love before me, – my family and friends – and the gifts I have known with people of other cultures and other places.
This day, 30 years ago, so much of it came to expression, and for that I give thanks today, as I do for Deb, Bp Jeremy, the members of my parish, and Val’s parish who have given us such an opportunity to celebrate well.
Retirement is a little quieter now, but the path is still before me.
I’m still coming St Luke’s !!!! and St Georges and St Mary’s – watch out!
At home the weeds are growing, the bookcase has to be finished, the crocheted rabbit hasn’t started yet – and I have to go fishing sometime! Retirement rigours await me!
From the Cathedral celebrations in November:
