Archdeacon Trevor Edwards to be Rector of Wanniassa and Archdeacon of South Canberra
Archdeacon Trevor Edwards, who is currently Archdeacon of South Sydney in the Diocese of Sydney wrote to the clergy and congregations of South Sydney region early this week to advise them that he has accepted the appointment of Rector of St Matthew’s Wanniassa and Archdeacon of South Canberra in the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn.
While he says he is looking forward with keen anticipation to his new sphere of ministry in Wanniassa and the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn, Trevor Edwards says he will miss his friends and colleagues in South Sydney region.
“I have enjoyed immensely the privilege of serving you all in the rich diversity of this region,” Archdeacon Edwards said in his letter. “The pastoral and strategic role of archdeacon is often undervalued in this diocese but it has been my experience that in partnership we have been able to make a real difference to the mission of many parishes. Thank you for
allowing me to share in your lives and ministries.”
In recent years Archdeacon Edwards has also acted as Archdeacon for Ordination in Sydney. He has extensive experience in parish ministry as well as diocesan administration. In the national Anglican Church he is a member of the Constitutional Review Task Force and the Ministry Commission.
“Trevor has been a faithful servant of the Lord in this diocese over many years,” Archbishop Peter Jensen said. “He has served in a number of parishes, and most recently as Archdeacon of South Sydney. He has also had a significant input in the life of the diocese as Archdeacon for Ordination and in many other roles. While we will miss his valuable contribution to this diocese, I extend my own good wishes to Trevor, Ruth and their family as they leave to go to a significant ministry at Wanniassa, which has a long history of evangelical witness in the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn.”
“The South Sydney region is going to miss Trevor very much indeed, and certainly I will,” Bishop Robert Forsyth, Bishop of South Sydney, said. “He has provided the highest quality of ministry in so many ways and has been the single most important factor in the renewed health of this region in the last few years. He is held in the highest regard right across the region by clergy and laity.
“Personally I owe him an immense debt of gratitude for his humble, intelligent and wise collegiality in my stumbling first years as bishop. Canberra and Goiulburn will benefit in many ways from Trevor’s appointment,” Bishop Forsyth said.
Archdeacon Edwards holds the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Theology from the University of Sydney; Bachelor of Divinity from the University of London; Scholar in Theology and Licentiate of Theology from the Australian College of Theology; and Diploma of Arts from Moore Theological College. He was the Hey Sharpe Prize Winner in his final year of study for the Th.L.
Trevor Edwards is married to Ruth, who is a High School English teacher, and they have four sons William, Gareth, Robin and Owen.
The text of Archdeacon Edward’s letter to the South Sydney region follows:
2 February, 2003
To Colleagues and Congregations in the South Sydney Region
Dear Friends,
I want you to be among the first to know that after seven years as
Archdeacon of South Sydney I am leaving my post in the near future. I have
been offered and have accepted appointment as Rector of St Matthew’s,
Wanniassa and Archdeacon of South Canberra in the Diocese of
Canberra/Goulburn.I have enjoyed immensely the privilege of serving you all in the rich
diversity of this region. The pastoral and strategic role of archdeacon is
often undervalued in this diocese but it has been my experience that in
partnership we have been able to make a real difference to the mission of
many parishes. Thank you for allowing me to share in your lives and
ministries.It is my prayer that God will guard the independence of mind and spirit
which make this the most interesting region in the whole diocese of Sydney.With warm regards,
Trevor Edwards
