General News
30 June, 2022
Congregation welcomes new Reverend
CAMPERDOWN Uniting Church has welcomed new Reverend Suzie Castle.
CAMPERDOWN Uniting Church has welcomed new Reverend Suzie Castle.
Camperdown Uniting Church chairperson Ros Hayman said Rev Castle was inducted into the Corangamite-Otway Region recently.
She said the region covers Camperdown, Derrinallum and Apollo Bay Uniting Churches.
“We have been going through the process of seeking a new minister since Rev Frank Tuppin left of the end of 2020,” Mrs Hayman said.
“In the interim, we were blessed to have supply ministry provided by Rev Philip Liebelt who was very committed to providing us great leadership and support.”
The inducting service saw visitors from Presbytery, other churches in Camperdown, visitors as well as members of the Camperdown Uniting Church congregation.
Rev Castle grew up on a family farm at Pomborneit and trained as a nurse at Warrnambool Base Hospital before moving interstate to Queensland for the past 24 years.
Due to her love of philosophy and ancient history, her academic studies began 17 years ago with a Batchelor of Arts in Art and she soon joined the police force.
A further four years of study saw Rev Castle complete a Bachelor of Theology, setting her on the path to serving the Uniting Church community.
Rev Castle has moved to Camperdown with her beloved dogs, Stanley and Coco, and said it feels like coming home having been in Camperdown Uniting Church’s youth choir decades ago.
“Today, we are moving to a place which is more normal for the church as seen throughout history,” she said.
“We are in a time which is more and more like the first century – where we have to give reason in the public marketplace for the hope that is within us and where we have to explain the church’s life because it is an unknown to so many.”
Mrs Hayman said Rev Castle had already inspired the congregation with her “integrity, intelligence and cheeky sense of humour”.
“The Corangamite-Otway Region churches are truly blessed to have a minister with Suzie’s versatility as she serves the needs of three very different congregations,” she said.
“We look forward with excitement to share in Suzie’s ministry at Apollo Bay, Camperdown and Derrinallum and within our community.
“Feel free to join us in Camperdown at 10.30am or 7pm on a Sunday.”