Sydneyanglicans.net brings you news of the latest ministry moves in the Sydney Diocese.

Steve surges forward to Chatswood

Youthsurge's national director, the Rev Steve Jeffrey will become St Paul's Chatswood's new rector this month, leaving his current post as senior assistant minister of Norwest Anglican Church to take up the position on April 15.

After nine years at Norwest, Mr Jeffrey is enthusiastic about continuing the vision already set at St Paul's.

"A few years ago St Paul's set a target of an attendance of 1000 by 2009. Although it isn't there it certainly has taken significant steps forward so I hope to continue this vision and grow the church's gospel impact in Chatswood."

Mr Jeffrey will continue as national director of Youthsurge, which will involve vision-setting, giving talks and developing resource material.

He believes the two roles will be a good combination. "I enjoy working as part of a larger team and utilising the collective ideas and resources that are generated. I think the Youthsurge and Chatswood teams coming together will be energising for me and the church," he says.

"I have a breadth of experience in the wider Australian church training youth leaders but it is important that I also equip people for local church ministry by leading at the local church level."

Cliff faces new future at St Luke's Concord

The Rev Cliff Stratton became the rector of St Luke's, Concord and Burwood on March 26. Mr Stratton had been rector at St Mary's, Waverley for four years previously and says he is especially reflecting on "the challenge of providing ministry to" so many [who] saw this church as theirs because they were married there, they were confirmed there".

Moving to Concord has been a "homecoming", after reading a leaflet and walking into a Christmas service there in 1973.

"I have been to the induction of three rectors at the church so it is an honour and something of a humble walk to come back and now serve those who I have been served with by other ministers over many years," he says.

Mission man moves on

As announced previously on sydneyanglicans.net, Les Gray, mission executive for the Sydney Diocese, finishes up on April 3.

Mr Gray has worked for the Diocese for three years, and says "it has been an immense privilege working with the Archbishop, parishes, Diocesan organisations, committees and staff as they work out how to best implement the challenges of the Diocesan Mission".

Mr Gray is looking forward to continuing his work for the Mission through his local church, Springwood-Winmalee Anglican, and will take up an opportunity to operate his management consultancy business part-time, which he trusts will "provide an effective work, family and ministry balance".

Breaking News

"¢After 15 years at St Peter's, Campbelltown, Canon Peter Stavert will leave to become rector of St John's, Tamworth on May 9.

"¢Rosalyn Bird will retire as principal of Danebank Anglican School for Girls at the end of the year.

"¢Archdeacon Neil Vearing, rector of New Town and Lenah Valley parishes in Tasmania, and mission support officer of the Derwent Network, will leave the Apple Isle on May 31 to become the new rector at St Peter's, Cremorne on June 5.

"¢The Rev Denis Oliver will leave the parish of Hornsby Heights on May 31 to become rector of Peakhurst-Mortdale.

"¢The Rev John Buchanan, rector of St Alban's, Corrimal will have his last Sunday at the parish on April 26, but will officially finish up later in the year.

"¢The Rev David Reay has resigned from his post of rector at St Paul's, Wahroonga, retiring officially on June 29.

"¢Rooty Hill Multicultural Bible Ministry's senior assistant minister, the Rev Ray Vassallo will take up the position of Yagoona parish's new rector on July 1.

"¢Karen Staines has joined the ministry team at St Paul's Castle Hill as part-time women's worker and director of the parish's care ministry as of last month.

"¢Michael Pailthorpe, assistant minister at West Ryde Anglican Church, left on March 29 for the Bathurst Diocese, where he will work with Bathurst's Anglican Youth ministry team, as chaplain at Charles
Sturt University and assistant chaplain at All Saints college. He begins on April 13.

Obituary by Ray Ctercteko for the Rev Theodore (Theo) Hayman

The Rev Theodore Hayman died on Christmas Day and was buried following a memorial service conducted by his friend Bishop Reg Piper at St Stephen's, Willoughby.

Theo was born in 1920 in China to missionary parents. His father was imprisoned by the Chinese Communists for 413 days in the infamous "Long March". Moving to Australia in 1938, Theo served with the Australian Army Medical Corps in World War II. He entered Moore College in 1942 and was ordained in 1945.

Following several curacies in Sydney, Theo and his wife Joyce were missionaries for 10 years with BCA in South Australia at Ceduna, Streaky Bay and Cook. 

He later served at St Paul's, West Tamworth and was a canon of Armidale Cathedral. He was federal secretary of BCA Australia from 1971 to 1980, before becoming rector of St Stephen's, Willoughby. He retired in 1986 to Macquarie Fields, assisting the parish of Glenquarie. In recent years the Haymans have lived at ARV's Mowll Village at Castle Hill.

Theo's ministry touched hundreds of lives. Theo and Joyce had a very happy marriage resulting in four children, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.