Moore Theological College and Mary Andrews College (MAC) have announced they will merge next year in a move designed to strengthen training for the significant number of women enrolling in the two colleges.

The merger, which will take effect from January 1 next year, is the result of over 12 months of discussion between the two college principals, the Rev Dr John Woodhouse and Archdeacon Narelle Jarrett.

There are 93 women enrolled in both colleges in 2007, of which 71 are full-time students.

"The desire is to see many more, and to provide the structures that will give them a theological education and training in Christian ministry of the highest quality," a joint statement by Dr Woodhouse and Archdeacon Jarrett reads.

Archdeacon Jarrett says she initiated these informal discussions, prompted by the possibility of the relocation of the Newtown campus, with the support of the Anglican Deaconess Institution (Sydney) Limited(ADISL), which governs MAC.

"Over the years of association the colleges have drawn closer together and at this time, integration seems to be the next logical step," she says.

"We see it as an outworking of God's spirit that the two different bodies have been in such agreement."

"Narelle has been a key player and helped the process along at every point," Dr Woodhouse adds.

"I don't know that I've ever been involved in a major project where all parties have been in such strong agreement and worked so well together."

The administrative difficulties and ‘inefficiency’ of having women students enrolled in two colleges has been another reason behind the decision.

"The training of men and women is now the responsibility of one college.

“As Moore College takes up the responsibility for women’s training, the whole college, and particularly the Mary Andrews Department of Women’s Ministry, has to think through the training of women and encourage the development of positions for women in the Diocese," says Archdeacon Jarrett.

What this means for women students

Despite the significance of this decision, college life for women students will be relatively unchanged, according to Archdeacon Jarrett.

"It won't be vastly different," she says. "As we've worked this out, we've tried to ensure that the good things the girls have had will continue."

The move will see women students, who have been enrolling in Moore College and MAC, now enrol solely at Moore.

The training in women's ministry and pastoral care that women students have received under MAC will now be the responsibility of the Mary Andrews Department of Women's Ministry.

"There is a commitment to providing the highest standard of theological education and ministry training for women in the context of the Bible's teaching about the roles and relationships of men and women," the statement says.

Moore College will take on three new faculty staff for the new department, including a head of department and a dean of women.

Residential accommodation for single women students will remain at the MAC property at 28 Carillon Avenue.

The MAC courses for lay women that are run in regional centres throughout the Diocese will continue to run as usual, under MAC and the ADISL.

Narelle Jarrett to leave MAC

After more than 20 years as principal of MAC, Narelle Jarrett will leave next year to take on full-time the role of Archdeacon of Women's Ministry that she has performed part-time for the last five years.

“I hope to be able to offer support to the many women in lay and ordained ministry in the Diocese,” she says.

“The Mission challenges us all to build contacts and friendships with non-Christians - I hope to assist this outreach into the Diocese.

“While it is every Christian’s responsibility, women frequently have the networks that enable such outreach to happen.”

The role will see her encouraging and nurturing all women in both ordained and lay ministry positions in Sydney Anglican churches.

“It allows me to continue a work that is in some ways similar to that which I’ve been doing,” she says.

“It’s a challenging job which has the potential of strengthening women’s ministry in the Diocese.”