Rev Michele Lees will retire as the Echuca Moama Uniting Church minister at the end of June.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
After seven years as the Echuca Moama Uniting Church minister, Rev Michele Lees is calling time on her pastoral duties.
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Despite devoting decades to religious groups throughout Victoria, Rev Lees said she wasn’t a church-going person growing up.
“It was never in my wildest dreams to become an ordained minister, but things don’t always work out as you think,” she said.
After being introduced to the church through a friend at university in Melbourne, she noticed the people she met through the youth fellowship were different.
“They had found something that gave them peace and joy, and I thought ‘that’s what I want’,” Rev Lees said.
“So I became a Christian. That was a bit of a struggle, because to become a Christian, you’re sort of handing your life over to God.”
Rev Lees would meet her husband in the youth fellowship, and go on to complete a Bachelor of Science and Diploma of Education.
While working as a secondary teacher, she had her first child and became involved with a young mum’s service at a church in Beaumaris.
In 1986 and with a growing family, Rev Lees moved to Bendigo and joined a Bible Study Fellowship International group, first as a member and finally as teaching leader.
She also underwent training to become a recognised lay preacher and, after qualifying, a church leader recommended she study to become an ordained minister.
“I thought ‘no way can I do that’, because here I am in Bendigo, and all the training is down in Melbourne,” Rev Lees said.
But after accepting part-time study and clocking thousands of kilometres between the two cities over four-and-a-half years, she graduated and became a minister in Castlemaine.
Initially looking after five congregations under the Castlemaine District Uniting Church, Rev Lees also became a convenor of the local ministry group.
Eventually, she felt it was time to move on, and told the Uniting Church she was looking to move.
“I really wanted to come to Echuca,” Rev Lees said.
“Fortunately, I was asked to consider Echuca, as well as another place.
“Coming to here, where there’s just one congregation, the Echuca Moama Uniting Church, was a real treat for me.”
An Echuca Moama Uniting Church community lunch in February.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
The highlights of her time as minister include the community lunch service, the aged care ministry, the Walk of Witness, and general pastoral care duties.
Like many churches, Rev Lees has noticed a decline in younger generations joining the congregation, and has seen many members pass away.
The role can be a demanding one at times, and Rev Lees has set high standards for herself to adhere to.
“It’s not a nine-to-five job. I love it very much, but as you get older, you don’t have quite as much energy to put into it,” she said.
Her initial placement in Echuca was for five years, but she agreed to extend her tenure for another two, planning to retire after that time.
“So here we are, seven years later, and during that time it’s been really good. I’ve really enjoyed being here,” Rev Lees said.
“There’s a sadness in leaving, but there’s also things to look forward to.”
Walk of Witness brings local churches together for Good Friday. Pictured are Danielle Johnstone and Troy Zakrzewski.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Her retirement plans include spending more time with family, travelling with her husband, and eventually getting re-involved in a more focused area of ministry.
She said she would miss the region’s unique environment, the bird life, her ministry team and the many groups and services on offer in Echuca-Moama.
Rev Lees will deliver her final service on Sunday, June 29, one week after celebrating a double baptism and the Echuca Moama Uniting Church’s 48th anniversary on Sunday, June 22.
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