27 candidates from a variety of backgrounds were ordained deacons on Saturday, 13th February, at St Andrew's Cathedral.

Led into the Cathedral by the director of Ministry, Training and Development, the Rev Gary O'Brien, he told the group "You are entrusted with a wonderful message."

Preaching from 1 Thessalonians 2, Mr O'Brien exhorted the group ordinands, "Make your motivation to please God, make your manner to be gentle like a nursing mother, make your teaching to be challenging like a godly father and make your message to be the Gospel of God."

"My friends, you will be called in your ministry to do many good things but never forget the central thing. The central thing is to share the good news of the Gospel, the good news of Jesus."

The group included a former missionary, a school chaplain, a college lecturer and a veteran youth worker. Other candidates will work in parishes throughout Sydney and Wollongong.

Some have already had extensive ministry experience such as the Rev Margery Mills, who lectures at Mary Andrew's College and former youth worker, the Rev Scott Petty, who has authored several books.

"I've been working in general ministry at St Matthew's, Manly for the past 18 months to two years" Mr Petty says. "Ordination is a recognition of the ministry that I have been doing and it just opens up availabilities to serve people in more ways in the  future."

Five other candidates will be ordained later in the year.

The full list of new deacons, with their parishes, is

Susan An     Neutral Bay
Meagan Bartlett     Lane Cove
Mark Boyley     Rooty Hill
Michael Bullen     Campbelltown
Travis Cook     Glenmore Park
Rhys Duggan     Centennial Park
Myles Elton     Figtree
Rod Farraway     Cranbrook School
James Gowing     Malabar
Michael Hanbury     East Roseville
Blake Hatton     Bondi
Michael Kinsey     Rosemeadow
Alan Lam     Summer Hill
Mike Leite     Engadine
Steve Mackenzie     Mittagong
Scott Millar     Naremburn/Cammeray
Craig Mills     Lindfield
Marge Mills     Mary Andrews College
Matthew Moffitt     Ashfield, Five Dock, and Haberfield
Ben Molyneux     Narrabeen
Scott Petty     Manly
Morgan Renew     Gladesville
Josh Russell     Northmead
Ron Sanchez     Greenacre
Ruth Schroeter     Moorebank
James Sneddon     Panania
David Traill     Albion Park