In this series, Ana Gobledale meets the URC’s partners in international mission. This month, Melanie Smith

In her first hour working as Director of the Women’s Centre at Pacific Theological College in Fiji – a coordinating, fundraising and development role – the Revd Melanie Smith heard a knock at the door. Four women stood before her asking when the ‘Women and theology’ course would start? Thrilled by their interest, she investigated who on the faculty would teach this course. ‘It soon became obvious’, says Melanie, ‘that it is to be me!’

‘I had confirmed, prior to our arrival in Fiji,’ she says, ‘that members of the teaching faculty deliver the academic units. As a minister in pastoral charge in the UK, I enjoy leading Bible studies, training days and short courses. But formal adult education is new to me.’..

Ana Gobledale is Convenor for the URC International Exchange Reference Group. The Council for World Mission is a worldwide partnership of 32 denominations including the URC

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This is an extract from an article published in the March 2023 edition of Reform

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