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New Aboriginal deacon among class of 2008
By Market Place
February 13, 2008
FRESH FACES: For the third year in a row, there were another large group of new deacons in St Andrew's Cathedral for the diocesan ordination service. PHOTO: Ramon Willams/Worldwide Photos
In a milestone for Evangelical indigenous ministry the first Aboriginal candidate to complete the full four year course at Sydney's Moore College was ordained this month.
The Revd Jonathan Lilley, 31, will take up a position with the Anglican parish in Nowra, and will be involved in ministry with the NSW South Coast's Aboriginal community.
Lilley says, unlike many of his fellow students at Moore College, he didn't come to college with a degree, but he'd been encouraged greatly by friends along the way.
Sydney Diocese already has several aboriginal workers, but Jonathan Lilley is the first to complete the full Bachelor of Divinity degree.
Hundreds packed Sydney's St Andrew's Cathedral 2 February for the ordination of 48 men and women as deacons.
The latest batch of new deacons again showed up Sydney's ongoing tradition of significant families in ordained ministry.
Among the new deacons were Edward Loane, the grandson of Sydney's former Archbishop and Primate Marcus Loane, and John Forsyth, the son of the Bishop of South Sydney, Robert Forsyth.
The new deacons will take up positions in parishes across Sydney and interstate including Holy Trinity, Adelaide.
Archbishop Peter Jensen said it was a point of great thanks to God that such large numbers had been presented for ordination for three years running.
Principal of Moore Theological College, John Woodhouse, told the congregation the numbers have stretched college facilities to the limit.