147. Marian Free - 31 December 2023

Australian Women Preach

Holy Family - Luke 2:22-40

Marian is married to Michael and has three children and three grandchildren. She is a cradle Anglican whose call to ordained ministry, is associated with her study of Paul’s letters. Marian was a founding member and coordinator of MOW Brisbane and was very engaged in the struggle to change the Anglican church’s attitude towards the ordination of women.

Marian has BA (Psychology) a Dip. Ed (Primary) and a Phd (New Testament). It was when she was a Community Worker in Christchurch New Zealand, that she experienced a growing sense that she was called to respond to the spiritual needs of the community. From that, emerged a vocation to the priesthood.

Marian was ordained priest in Brisbane in 1995, in the third group of women to be ordained in this Diocese. She has served in three Parishes – Rosewood, Toowong and Hamilton - and has held many Diocesan and National positions. Having a Phd has meant that she has also been able to pursue her love of teaching and has taught for over 20 years at St Francis Theological College – the Letters of Paul, Anglican Liturgy, Introduction to the New Testament, The Synoptics and the Johannine Literature.

Now retired from Parish ministry, Marian continues to serve in her local parish and on the Cathedral chapter. Retirement projects include gardening (fruit and vegetables), sewing, learning Italian and minding the grandchildren.