Continuing the Life and Times of James Houston, Book Two focuses on 38 years in Melbourne, where James worked initially as a research officer for the Victorian Council of Churches' project aimed at promoting a multicultural approach to the training of clergy. Though intending to return to Canberra when the program was completed, an association with the then Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne, the Rev Dr David Penman, who supported multiculturalism and other justice issues, led to a suggestion to consider ordination to the Anglican ministry.
At the age of 55 James eventually took this step, and after appropriate theological training was appointed to the parish of St Mary Magdalene in Dallas, Broadmeadows, where he and his wife Marjorie spent seven fulfilling years. The journey from academic writer to pastoral carer had begun.
This continued when he was invited to become the Director of Cross-Cultural Ministry for the Diocese of Melbourne. During the three years he served in this position, he sought to encourage Anglicans generally to broaden their essentially mono-cultural identity, given that the city itself was arguably the most multicultural in the country, as well as supporting the few cross-cultural parishes existing at the time. After retiring from that position James joined forces with Chinese priest Rick Cheung and served together with him in a bilingual parish. This was a heartwarming venture and one which subsequently opened doors to ministry in China.
This book is written in exquisite prose: it tells the story of a beautiful man who loved life and lived it to the full, who also loved Jesus and sought to follow in his way. Passionate about travel and the splendour of creation, he respected and valued human life in all its diversity, hating injustice and all forms of discrimination. It is a personal story but also a social commentary on the issues of its time, and well worth the reading.
