Alumni news

Courtney Vereide - MATM Alum, 2023

Greetings from across the pond!

I am deeply grateful for the way that the Cranmer community welcomed me (an American, Presbyterian) into the fold. I think so fondly of Durham, often missing the Bailey, Brass Thill, the Cathedral, and even North Road!

Since moving home to America, I have served two churches. First, I served a yearlong Pastoral Internship (similar to a curacy) at Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien, Connecticut (suburb of New York City). Alongside parish ministry, I completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (chaplaincy training) at the nearby Norwalk Hospital.  

Next, I moved to northern Virginia (suburb of Washington, D.C.), where I am serving as the Director of Student and Young Adult Ministries at Centreville Presbyterian Church. My responsibilities include leading the ministries for Grade 6 through Young Adults (mid-thirties). As you can imagine, this covers a wide range of ages and stages.

I welcome your prayers for wisdom, discernment, and attentiveness to God as our church seeks to develop vibrant ministries of discipleship for all ages. We face a few strategic challenges, including: geographical spread of congregants (across three counties); limited space due to tenants in church building; rapid turnover of Youth Directors for the past decade; leadership development of volunteers to support the youth ministries.

A few ministry highlights have included: opportunities to teach and preach; launching a Young Adult ministry at Centreville Presbyterian (including first-ever retreat this Fall!); getting to know the youth and families at the church; progressing through the ordination process.

Speaking of ordination, should all go smoothly, I shall be ordained to pastoral ministry in early 2026, and continue in ministry at Centreville Presbyterian Church, in the role of Associate Pastor.  

As I write this update, I am drinking a cup of Twinings Lady Gray Tea, from the City Centre Tesco (a great souvenir). My Brass Thill neighbors taught me that Lady Gray is not “real tea” – so, never fear, I have some “real” Yorkshire Tea waiting in the cupboard.  

Cheers!

Soo Tian Lee - MATM Alum, 2024

After a wonderful year in Durham, my family (Hui-En, Khai Xin, and Wern Xin) and I returned to Malaysia in September 2024 and we welcomed our daughter, Xin Ern, in March this year.

We are presently based in Seremban, an hour’s drive south of Kuala Lumpur, where I have been seconded by the Diocese of West Malaysia to serve as a lecturer in church history and Christian spirituality at Seminari Theoloji Malaysia (STM), a Protestant ecumenical seminary. I have enjoyed introducing seminarians to church history as a lens to grapple with contemporary ecclesial problems, as well as the riches of historic Christian devotion.

I was ordained as a deacon on the feast of Sts. Simon and Jude (28 October) last year and was priested on the same day this year. For my part-time curacy, I was unexpectedly sent back to my sending parish, St Paul’s, Petaling Jaya, and it has been great serving there again.

For many years, STM Anglican seminarians have had a minimalist communal Daily Office rhythm, gathering only for Evensong on Tuesdays, Compline on Wednesdays, and Mattins on Thursdays. This past year, an  Anglican student  and I decided to start praying Mattins together every weekday, and by the end of the academic year in October, we regularly had between five to eight people each weekday morning. The Common Worship office books purchased using funds raised from the Cranmer community and beyond have really been transformational for our little group.

Besides being a stay-at-home mum, Hui-En has been quite active in the seminary community, e.g. joining chapel services and socials. Our boys have adapted fairly well to life back here, but still speak wistfully about England. Xin Ern’s cheerful personality has brought joy not just to us but many others in STM.

I would appreciate your prayers for wisdom in navigating the complex dynamics of an ecumenical seminary as well as a very diverse diocese in terms of churchmanship and spirituality. Pray, above all, that my family and I may grow in our love for God, each other, and those around us where God has placed us.