ADM stands on a legacy of inspiring women who lived out the Word of God in practical ways.
Deaconesses reached out into their communities with the love of Jesus as they served in churches, hospitals, schools and children’s homes, and as missionaries both in Australia and overseas. Their ministry work included teaching, encouraging, caring and training. The last deaconess was set apart in 1991, after the role of deacon was opened to women in 1989. Our deaconesses leave us a legacy of sacrificial service and ministry.
The Rev. Mervyn Archdall and his wife Martha were the founders of the Deaconess Institution ministry in Australia, which was modelled on similar work in Germany and England. In 1885, the Sydney Anglican Diocesan Synod passed ‘a resolution in favour of deaconess work’ (2) and the first Australian ordination of an overseas-trained deaconess, Mary Schleicher, was celebrated in Sydney the following year. While five deaconesses were already at work in Sydney, the idea of operating a training home to equip women to become deaconesses took shape (2). On 17 August 1891, only five years after the first deaconess ordination, ‘Bethany’, a deaconess training school, opened in Balmain. This training school was located in the Archdall's Balmain rectory, with Deaconess Menia Maspero as the first superintendent.
‘Mrs Archdall was content to take up teaching and her equally devoted husband cheerfully surrendered one-fourth of his income that Sydney might have the benefit of a suitably trained body of Christian women workers. Men and women who can thus spend themselves and their possessions for the work of God have always accomplished great things in the world of service.‘ (3)
“Honour her for all that her hands have done.”
Deaconesses worked in parishes – visiting people in their homes, visiting and nursing the sick, teaching at Sunday Schools and Scripture in schools and conducting evangelistic meetings, amongst other activities. Read stories from the lives of our Deaconesses in Deaconess Stories below.
(1) Source: The Vision Unfolding. Deaconess Institution 1891-1991
(2) ibid
(3) ibid
In April 2018, many of our remaining deaconesses, along with several female deacons, joined together at ADM for lunch and a time of prayer and sharing. On that day, we asked them to share their advice for the next generation of Christian women, based on their experiences in ministry:
“In everything, give thanks to the Lord who has called you to ministry, because the Lord is a faithful Lord, friend, teacher, provider. He cares and he will supply all your needs as you serve him faithfully with joy.”
“Always be listening to what God might want you to do. Walk every day listening to his voice, reading his word and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. The opportunity will come up at the right time. Know that God is sovereign. Trust God and he will fulfil his purpose for you. ”
“Commit your life to Christ fully, and make sure to ask him what he wants you to do with your life. There is always something that God wants you to do that could be very special. Work hard at finding out what that is. ”
Celebrating our deaconesses at a lunch at ADM in April 2018. Seated L-R: Dss. Doreen Garrick, Dss. Joan Egan, Rev. Kay Clark and Rev. Clare Percival. Standing L-R: Rev. Gillian Jones, Rev. Jacinth Myles, Rev. Sandra Salmon, Rev. Kerrie Newmarch and Rev. Lay Kum Ho.
Some of our deaconesses at the 125th celebration of ADM in 2016.