A thousand tongues, 27 Hearts

With more than 1000 people in the congregation and 27 servant-hearted men and women, St Andrew’s Cathedral echoed with the sound of singing, fulfilling Charles Wesley’s hope for “a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise”.

Newly ordained, the deacons then made their way through the crowds for a group photo on the steps of the Cathedral, and then celebrated with family and church members from across Sydney, Wollongong and beyond.

“I'm really excited,” said new deacon the Rev Lauren Dewhurst, serving the parish of St Ives (below). “It's a huge blessing and encouragement to know that, yes, I've made big promises, but I've got the backing of church and family behind me."

In his address, the director of Ministry Training and Development, the Rev Gary O'Brien, spoke of the responsibilities and privileges the new deacons will face.

“We are not ordaining men and women at the front of this church to a new job,” he said. “We are ordaining them to a life – a life of service. We are not just people who perform functions, jobs, and then go home at the end of the day. We live and work in community with men and women, boys and girls.

“So I want to exhort you, brothers and sisters, to share your thoughts, your struggles, your aspirations, your hospitality, to listen – to engage in the lives of others. What a wonderful privilege it is to be a Christian minister, to share your lives with others, and to bring into those relationships the sacred gospel message of Jesus.”

The ordinands walked to the centre of the Cathedral, one by one, and the Archbishop and bishops placed their hands on them to signify receiving “authority for the office and work of a deacon in the church of God”.

Faithful footsteps

The Bishop of North Sydney, Chris Edwards, beamed as his son Tim came forward. “It's a very special opportunity,” the Rev Tim Edwards said later. “I'm thankful to be even wearing the robes [my dad] was ordained in himself. Really special to be following in his faithful footsteps, and to be continuing on and sharing the gospel with others."

The full list of ordinands and their appointments is:

Micah Beel, AM* Eastwood
Andy Bell, AM Pymble
Luke Bird, AM Pennant Hills
David Burdis, AM Richmond
Matt Capel, AM Wahroonga
Peter Chan, AM Kogarah
Joey Cheng, AM Soul Revival (Ryde)
Mike (Man Hin) Chin, AM Enfield and Strathfield
Tim Cornford, AM Campbeltown
Lauren Dewhurst, AM St Ives
Tim Edwards, AM South Head
Edward Happer, AM Gerringong
Dylan Hood, AM Centennial Park
Joshua Hoole, AM Sans Souci
Toby Knights, AM Broadway
Peter Ko, AM Bankstown
James Muggeridge, AM Kellyville
Becki Philip, chaplain, St Andrew’s Cathedral School
David Reynolds, AM Enfield and Strathfield
James Russell, AM Sutherland
Retchie Salvador, chaplain, Mission to Seafarers
Simon Sheely, AM Unichurch
John Sheldon, chaplain, Shore
Mike Snowdon, AM Willoughby Park
Phillip Witheridge, AM Carlingford
Julian Yin, AM Kirribilli
Andy (Lie) Zhang, AM Paramatta

*AM is assistant minister

(Above) Members of Enfield & Strathfield Anglican Church with rector Kevin Kim (left) and new deacons the Rev Mike (Man Hin) Chin and the Rev David Reynolds (centre)

Along with 27 ordinations, Archbishop Kanishka Raffel commissioned the Rev Michael Duckett as director of Indigenous Ministry.

“Michael, my dear brother in Christ, you have been nominated to me for appointment as director of Indigenous Ministry in this Diocese of Sydney,” Archbishop Raffel said. “Are you willing to serve in this way, humbly relying upon God and conducting your ministry in accordance with the promises made by you when you were made a presbyter in the church of God?”

“I am willing, the Lord being my helper,” was the reply.

The Archbishop (above) then handed Mr Duckett his licence as director of Indigenous MInistry to loud applause from the congregation and Indigenous pastors surrounding him.

(Pictured: The Rev Michael Duckett address the congregation)

Dean Sandy Grant prayed in response to Mr Duckett’s own prayer request: “Grant him your wisdom as he establishes himself in his new role. Help him remain obedient to the leading of your spirit, that he might walk humbly with you and your son, our Lord Jesus, before walking with others”.

Above: The crowded Cathedral congregation cheers the new deacons.

After the service, an excited Archbishop Raffel said it was “a great joy and thanksgiving to God, who has heard our prayers to raise up workers for the harvest field.

“Today we've commissioned, as deacons in our church fellowship, 27 men and women. What a privilege, what a joy! What gospel good news as these young men and women head out all across our Diocese to make known the excellencies of Jesus.”

Above: Missions to Seafarers chaplain the Rev Retchie Salvador and family