Profile: Katharine Donnelly-Coode

Course
Bachelor of Business, majoring in HR and Accounting

How did you become a Christian?
In high school I liked to think of myself as a freak, a rebel. I was a disruptive student, and a troubled daughter and sister. I assumed that there was nothing Jesus could do to help me, that the answer must be in Buddhism or Paganism or something left field. Two years ago my older sister Janis was going through her own search for a church where she could learn about God without teachers who were afraid to give the answer that may actually cause someone to think (which was our experience at our Christian high school). She found St Stephens, and Alby, and started to attend their bible study. One night she sort of tricked me into attending that bible study. I walked in, expecting to just pick her up and get out of that place, but they welcomed me in to their house, listened to my opinions and my questions, and took the time to give answers, or to admit when they didn't know the answer either. There was a love in that house, in those people, that I had never before felt from a human, I knew it surpassed the love a human could give on their own. When I transferred to UTS my big sister once again lead me to the best group that has ever happened to me, Credo. I felt so comfortable there, but it was still about me, how I felt, and how fun it was for me. Until one day I sat in public meeting, listening to a talk by Ian Powel about the love of Jesus. Ian told us a story of a newly-wed couple, who were scuba diving when a shark appeared and went for the wife. Well of course the husband, in his love for the wife, put himself between the shark and the woman, and was killed. Ian told us that she could be sure that her husband loved her, because he loved her so much that he was prepared to die for her. But of course he did it, he loved her, she loved him. Would he do it, would I do it, for someone who was my enemy? Then he drew our attention, my attention, to a verse in Romans. It says that God loves us so much that he sent his son to die for us while we were his enemies.

Favourite verse
Haha my favourite verse today is Ephesians 2:8-10 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Why join Credo?
There are many reasons to join Credo. I have made some amazing friends at Credo, who I hope stay with me for a lifetime. I learn great biblical lessons on a weekly basis, through talks in public meeting, or discussions in small group. But most importantly, join Credo because we were created to bring glory to God and to enjoy God, and Credo seeks to fulfil both of these aims at UTS.

Best thing about Credo?
I will always be thankful in the part it played in God plan for bringing me back to Him. Not to mention the ongoing friendships and support it provides me as I grow in Him.

If you were a superhero, who would you be?
I would be Captain Planet, who also had powers to stifle world hunger and find people work haha. The environment and welfare are big hobby horses of mine.

What is your favourite food?
Cake. I am a sucker for cake and coffee. Especially when it involves meeting up with people for said food, or cooking the cake myself!!

What is your favourite band?
I don't really have one at the moment, it used to be KoRn, but now the music I love is the sort that I can sing along to in church or on Christian conferences, the type that allows me to express my love to God in a way that surpasses the words alone.

What is the grossest thing you have ever eaten?
As a kid I once woke up with parts of a spider remains in my mouth, that is definitely the grossest thing I have ever eaten haha, but it wasn't by choice.