MAKING the shift to accept a new appointment as the minister for the Anglican Parish of Mansfield was a "leap of faith" for the Rev Melissa Clark who was inducted at St John's Church on November 23.

The church was full of well–wishers including family members, parishioners from both Mansfield and her former parish of Trentham/Woodend, to support the Rev Mel (as she likes to be called) at a special service overseen by Bishop Clarence Bester from the Diocese of Wangaratta.

The newly appointed minister barely had time to draw breath with a funeral to conduct at St John's the following day.

The Rev Mel a self–confessed nerd and Jane Austen tragic, admits the decision to leave her previous parish after seven happy years was more to do with a prompting that it was time to move on.

Although there was no previous connections with the Mansfield area, Rev Mel was drawn to the area and did due diligence through research which included studying the Census data.

"In the Census data in the Mansfield Shire, the average age was 48," said Rev Mel who was looking for a demographic similar to her own age group.

Another deciding factor was being surrounded by mountains.

She recalled watching the snow fall during a church service at Trentham and how all the parishioners were fixated on the sight.

The prospect of cold weather in Mansfield is no deterrent and Rev Mel said she is "no fan of the beach".

"At my special place in Woodend I could see Mount Macedon so I had to have mountains," she said.

"I visited Mansfield in July and walked around the town, and people stopped to say hello."

It was a most "welcoming" town she added.

Rev Mel explained that the mix of farming and tourism in the Mansfield district was similar to that in Trentham and Woodend.

Taking a leap of faith to take up ministry in her second parish since being ordained at 41, Rev Mel sees her new role in Mansfield as a "blank canvas" and an opportunity to work in the wider community, not just within the church building.

Wherever you find, Rev Mel, you can be assured that her faithful companion Oscar a four–year–old border collie will not be too far away continuing a tradition of dogs as part of parish life in Mansfield.

Faith has been a constant in Rev Mel's life since her baptism at two months old with the exception of her young adult life.

She speaks of her mother being a woman of faith and inspiration.

"Mum and I use to go to church together on Sundays; I hope I am like my mum who was the sweetest woman."

"She died before I knew I had a calling to ministry, I hope she would be proud of me," Rev Mel said.

Rev Mel was city born and raised in the Melbourne suburb of Sunshine, where she attended the local Anglican Church and was a volunteer children's minister.

This also exposed her to a rich multi–cultural environment.

Rev Mel's previous career working in the transport industry at Linfox in the finance department equipped her for "managing people" involved in all aspects of the business.

Her passion for learning began with a BA in Psychology gained while working fulltime.

When a calling for ministry came about, she completed a BA in Theology at Trinity College in Melbourne.

Her yearlong placement was at St Peter's Eastern Hill in the inner–city suburb of Melbourne which is also the site of a partnership with Anglicare Victoria for a daily homelessness breakfast program.

Rev Mel described how privileged she was, "to be the first woman to celebrate High Mass at St Peter's".

She has just completed masters in theology before moving to Mansfield and is a great believer that there is always something new to learn.

Rev Mel's ordination took place in the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo which ultimately led her to accepting her first position as a parish priest at Trentham/Woodend.

Reflecting on change, Rev Mel said she was influenced by the philosophy of the Dali Lama, "In everything love is the guiding principle."

"Every context has to stand on its own and I come to Mansfield with no ambitions, only a blank canvas."

Rev Mel has arrived at the busiest time of the year with the start of Advent and Christmas services to prepare.

She is keen to observe what the town gives to her and can offer back in return.

Before arriving in Mansfield recommendations for the best coffee in town were sought on the local on–line social media as a way of introducing herself.

The Rev Mel promotes the church building as being open during the week and her willingness to just chat and meet people where they are at.

And if you happen to love coffee, chocolate, dogs and Jane Austen, there will be plenty to share with Mansfield's new minister.