A former Sydney archbishop has joined other friends and colleagues in paying tribute to the Georges River Region’s Archdeacon Geoff Huard as he prepares to retire after over 30 years of ministry in the Diocese.
Christ Church, Mortdale played host to over 200 guests who were present at a farewell brunch last Saturday to pay tribute to Archdeacon Huard for his ministry.
One Archbishop, three regional bishops, two clergymen and a clergy wife all paid homage to Archdeacon Huard and his wife Cathy at the brunch meeting.
Current Bishop of the Georges River Region Peter Tasker " who has worked closely with Archdeacon Huard since 2002 " chaired the meeting and led those present in giving thanks to God for the couple’s ministry in Sydney Diocese thus far.
"The major thing with Geoff was his pastoral concern for the clergy and the laity in all our parishes," Bishop Tasker says.
"His primary commitment is to Christ and the gospel, not himself, therefore we have all found it easy to work with him."
Bishop Tasker is particularly thankful for Archdeacon Huard’s leadership and promotion of ethnic ministry in Sydney Diocese.
"The extensive multi-ethic ministry being done in the region is mainly a result of Geoff's commitment to it being made a priority," Bishop Tasker says.
"His clear commitment made others happy to follow him and they have shared the vision that he spearheaded."
The Huard history
Archdeacon Geoff Huard will complete his ministry as the Archdeacon of the Georges River Region (Liverpool) on November 30, although his last day in the office was September 26.
Archdeacon Huard moved into the Liverpool role in 1993, when the new Georges River Region was created.
Looking back, he says his work as a 22-year-old in Christian community centre the Mayflower in the east end of London was a formative time.
Working under future Bishop of Liverpool (England) and former English Test Cricket captain David Sheppard, Archdeacon Huard caught the vision for ministry in urban inner city areas.
"My perception was that Anglican ministry in particular was strong in the middle class areas, but really struggling in working class and migrant areas," he says.
Archdeacon Huard met his Australian wife Cathy while both were working at the Mayflower and they were married in 1968 in Australia.
He was ordained in 1970 in the Diocese of Essex, England, and spent 1968 in Sydney after taking leave from his theological education. Archdeacon Huard had numerous curacies in England in the early-to-mid 1970s.
Archdeacon Huard returned to Australia in 1976 when he was invited by then Archdeacon of Cumberland and former Bishop of South Sydney John Reid to become the rector of the parish of Redfern and Waterloo.
"Having met Geoff when he was previously in Australia and hearing about his work in the inner city areas of London, I knew he would be an excellent person to come to South Sydney," Bishop Reid says.
"The church was built up and became viable in his time there. He had brought about a vibrant congregation. He interacted with the whole community in South Sydney: the indigenous community, the high-rise offices and the Christian community."
Bishop Reid says it was "natural" that Archdeacon Huard should become director of the Inner City Committee, a role he had from 1981 to 1993. He was also the Archdeacon of South Sydney and Cumberland under Bishop Reid from 1989 to 1993.
"It was a natural progression that he should have increased leadership roles among clergy," Bishop Reid says.
"He was consistently gracious under pressure. He never seemed to lose his cool. He even did a doctorate of urban ministry while in this role. I regard Geoff as a great friend and he has enriched my life greatly."
Archdeacon Huard also served as the rector of the parish of South Sydney from 1978 to 1989.
More tributes
Former Archbishop of Sydney Harry Goodhew spoke at the farewell brunch as did current rector of Hoxton Park, the Rev Bruce Dingwall, who was a student minister under Archdeacon Huard at South Sydney in the late 1980s.
Former Bishop of Liverpool Ray Smith, who worked alongside Archdeacon Huard from 1993 to 2001 sent an apology for his absence, but sent a special letter that was read out to those present.
Close friend of Archdeacon Huard's wife Cathy, Margaret Donohoo, gave a special tribute to Cathy.
Mrs Donohoo's husband, the Rev Alan Donohoo was rector of Leichhardt when the Huards began at Redfern in 1976 and they became friends through the Inner City Committee.
"Through this connection an ongoing friendship developed that has spanned these last 30 years," she says.
"I remember a group of clergy wives sitting around Cathy's kitchen table listening to her share what it had been like working in inner-city Liverpool. She was very brave and sincere as she spoke of some of the difficulties that she had experienced and things which God had taught her. Those of us that were there that day were moved by her frankness and honesty."
The curate-in-charge of Regents Park, the Rev Vinh Pham, also spoke on behalf of all ministers in the region involved in cross-cultural ministry.
As Archdeacon of Georges River, Mr Huard is happy to have overseen an increased focus in reaching those from non-English speaking backgrounds.
"ESL classes have grown as we now have 60 in the diocese with 300 teachers. Seeing the growth in multicultural ministry has been very encouraging," he says.
Archdeacon Huard will continue as the part-time rector of St Paul's, Bankstown for the foreseeable future.
