Cathie Lambert (nee Reavell) could never have predicted the beautiful twists and turns her life would take after graduating from the Duncraig campus in 1990.
After studying a Bachelor of Education in secondary teaching, majoring in Biological Sciences at Curtin University, Cathie returned to St Stephen’s School where she taught from 1996 until 1998.
“I taught Science, Maths, Faith and Values and even a Physical Education class!” said Cathie.
“During 1998 I began studying Theology to gain formal training to teach more in this area. It took over my life since I enjoyed it so much, and in late 1998 I resigned from my position at SSS to study Theology full time.”
“In 1999 and 2000 I travelled with my husband, Guy Lambert (Duncraig, Class of 1992), to the Kingdom of Tonga. We were Volunteers in Mission with the Uniting Church and were living in Tonga to build relationships with the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga,” continued Cathie.
“While we were away, I engaged in a Period of Discernment with the Uniting Church and on returning from Tonga, our first child was born. In 2004, after the birth of our second child, I began as a candidate for ministry in the Uniting Church.”
Cathie’s first ministry placement came in 2008 as the Chaplain at Penrhos College, and early in 2011, Cathie and her family moved to Margaret River where she took up her second placement as minister to the Augusta and Margaret River congregations.
“I served with these congregations for seven years and while I was there, I completed a Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction. This led me to become involved in Dayspring which is an ecumenical community committed to contemplative spirituality,” said Cathie.
“In 2018, I took a leave of absence from ministry to complete my PhD with the University of Divinity which was a life changing experience. During this time, I also took on the role of Program Director at Dayspring.”
Today Cathie divides her professional time between the Uniting Church and her role with Dayspring.
“My Uniting Church role sees me working with a variety of people – from candidates working towards ordained ministry to people in congregations. It involves encouraging people to be on a life-long journey of learning. Sometimes this is about running workshops and courses. At other times it is working with individuals to create individualised programs to facilitate their growth,” said Cathie.
“My Dayspring role involves working with the University and the wider Dayspring community to offer courses in Spirituality and Spiritual Direction. The role is really a combination of teaching and retreat leadership, working with a small team of people.”
Being a student at St Stephen’s School clearly supported Cathie’s spiritual growth during her adolescence.
“I had an interest in spirituality from when I was a young child, although I didn’t realise this was to be a focus and passion in my life until more recent years,” said Cathie.
“At school, I was encouraged to ask questions and be curious which helped me on the journey of coming to know myself and how to navigate relationships. I felt supported in this learning – when I succeeded and when I tripped up. Having adult examples surrounding me who were very diverse, but caring and supportive in their own way was also incredibly helpful,” said Cathie.
Today our community is blessed by the fruits of this journey through Cathie’s ministry.
“I love walking alongside people as they discover their own understandings of spirituality and God, however they want to talk about that. It is a privilege to witness the stories of other people. Every experience is different, but I love seeing people discover their own authority in this space and find freedom within that.”
Cathie’s advice to our current students is clearly borne from her own personal experience of the benefits of being open to change.
“Hold life lightly! Be present in the now, but don’t hold so strongly to your dreams that you can’t bend and change with the winds of tomorrow.”