I studied part-time over a period of four years at St Mark’s – beginning in March 2020, which was arguably not one of the most standard entries into postgraduate study! However, as a Canberra-based student, I have been the beneficiary of a hybrid model of teaching, enabling access and flexibility throughout the entire period of my study, and the opportunity to build enduring relationships in my immediate community and across the country.

Each course of my study was supported by a faculty who embodied the fruit of the spirit in their tutelage, engagement with one another, and their vocations. The dedication of the staff to the academic and spiritual formation of the student cohort was a first-hand experience for me: from stopping mid-lecture to daily prayer together, pouring over greek grammar in the course of biblical translation, and of course, meandering conversations over coffee in the student kitchen.

The theology I was taught in class was brought into my own life and spiritual discipline: from applying practical theology models on my own ‘work-life’ balance, through to the systematic theology of the trinity being the best balm for a break-up, my experience at St Mark’s had an uncanny way of speaking the Word of God into my life.