On 21 April, the Revd Philippa Lohmeyer-Collins will be licensed as the incoming Canon Pastor of St Paul’s Cathedral, succeeding Canon Jane Window who will be reducing her duties over the coming months. After work as a school teacher and school chaplain, Canon Lohmeyer-Collins has taken up the invitation, by the Dean and Chapter of St Paul’s, to join the ministry team at Melbourne’s Cathedral. Canon Philippa writes:
“To be a follower of Christ involves trusting in someone who loves you dearly, who challenges at times and sometimes surprises you. For the last few decades of my life I have worked in schools, first as a Chemistry Teacher and then as an ordained Anglican Chaplain. Hence, it is with both excitement and some apprehension that I step into the role of Pastor at St Paul’s Cathedral. I am looking forward to meeting the folk who make up the regular congregation(s) at St Paul’s and walking with them as a fellow follower of Christ. In this week following Easter I have reflected upon the ‘Walk to Emmaus’ and how Christ walks with us and encourages us to walk with others, sometimes jogging but frequently through those bumpy periods, over the rocky paths but always with our eyes on Jesus.”
Canon Philippa added: “One of my deep loves is the outdoors whether walking and orienteering in the bush, bicycling with friends along some of our fantastic Melbourne bike paths, or just smelling the roses and admiring those stunning orchid blooms in winter. I would love to be able to share this enjoyment of the outdoors with people I meet at St Paul’s. I have noted that the people of St Paul’s have a deep concern for our creation, for how we respond to the climate crisis we find ourselves facing. How is this love and concern for God’s creation affecting our mission both individually and collectively? I look forward to sharing in life with the people of St Paul’s as their Canon Pastor. I am also very grateful to Reverend Canon Jane Window for her willingness to guide me in the next few months and thank her for her generosity.”
Dean Andreas Loewe said: “I am delighted that Canon Philippa will be joining our ministry team at St Paul’s building on the good work of Canon Jane over the past years. I am pleased that Canon Jane will remain at St Paul’s as one of our honorary assistant priests, and that she will be able to spend the next couple of months working alongside Canon Philippa as we transition to our new Canon Pastor. Welcome, Philippa!”