ON SATURDAY 21May over 100 former residents of the Methodist Training College (MTC) held a reunion at Grace College
(University of Queensland) in Brisbane.
People came from all over Australia and even Singapore to catch up with friends from over 40 years ago and give thanks to
God for the amazing contribution the College has made to the life of the Methodist and Uniting Church.
Most of those present attended MTC during the 1960s and many of them became deaconesses and ministers and many others have been committed lay people serving in a variety of ministries.
The College opened in 1960 in the old Kings College and the first Principal was Rev Cyril Alcorn whose brother Ivan was the visionary who saw the need for a lay training college.
Former Principals and Vice Principals were present including Rev Dr Clive Krohn and Judy and Rev Dr Ian Mavor as well as the Director of the Department of Christian Education Rev Dr Lew Born and Betty.
People shared memories of Weekends of Witness when groups of students visited rural congregations.
Others spoke about the Whitsuntide celebrations in the big tent, going out two by two to invite people in Fortitude Valley to come to worship.
Special guests included Ian Alcorn and his sister Ruth Bott who spoke enthusiastically about growing up in the college and Merlene Wilson and Marion Baker shared a written history of the College.
The next reunion is already been planned for the 2012 June long weekend.
For information contact Adrian Burton on adrian.burton@interfurn.com.au
Photo : Just some of the former Alcorn students who became ordained ministers or lay pastors. Photo by Roy Ludlow