Journey back home
It’s been a journey back home for Noble Park Community’s new Chaplain, Chris Booth.
He grew up and was schooled in the area and is delighted to have returned to it as an adult.
“It’s not only being back in Noble Park that I enjoy,” Chris explains. “I love Noble Park Community too. There’s a very special vibe in this place – of friendliness, care and joy.”
And he says what he loves about the role is that he has time to spend listening to residents, families and staff. “My job is not to be too busy, so that I have time to be present for others,” Chris explains. “I find it a huge privilege to be able to work with older people.”
He’s also in a temporary role looking after the Uniting Church congregation of St David’s in Oakleigh and looks forward to learning which church he will be with in the longer term.
So what was his life journey that led him to this point?
Chris was schooled at Wallarano Primary and Chandler Secondary until the age of 15.
When he left home he moved to Ballarat to study at university before moving back to Melbourne. He joined a community based at Collins Street Baptist Church in the CBD, working alongside people from the street community.
He spent most of his adult life living around Melbourne CBD and Carlton. For close on ten years Chris was involved in running an accommodation service for Indigenous patients and their families to use when they come to Melbourne for hospital treatment.
Since 2017, Chris has been on a journey towards ordination as a Deacon (Community Minister) in the Uniting Church. During this time he has worked as a Uniting Community Chaplain in Prahran and more recently leading the chaplaincy team at the University of Melbourne. He is being ordained on March 17.
“It’s been wonderful to come back as an adult to Noble Park where I grew up,” he says. “And this role here will be my first as an Ordained Minister.”
In his spare time he likes cooking, cycling, camping and spending time with his friends.
© 2021