Anglican Deaconess Ministries announces appointment of new Principal of Mary Andrews College, Dr Laurel Moffatt
ADM and Mary Andrews College are delighted to welcome Laurel to the role of Principal.
A lecturer, teacher, writer and researcher, Dr Laurel Moffatt has spent the last decade combining her research and writing skills with her love of Jesus and the Bible. With a background in tertiary education and more recent experience as the Diocesan Researcher for the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, she brings strengths of not just qualifications and experience, but curiosity and grace to lead Mary Andrews College as Principal.
Laurel’s writing has appeared in ABC Religion & Ethics, The Daily Telegraph, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Spectator. Earlier in her career, she lectured in literature and composition at Macquarie University and The King’s College in New York City, respectively. Most recently she was a 2022 ADM Fellow, and currently hosts a podcast on the Undeceptions Network called Small Wonders.
Born, raised and educated in the American South, Laurel moved to Australia in 2000. She is married to Justin and together they have four children.
Laurel encountered Christ as a young child living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Following him as her Saviour and Lord has been an everyday journey of trusting and living by faith. She shares, “For me, more often than not, God has used the smaller, incremental moments of the everyday actions and habits that he encourages his children to use - such as reading the Bible, praying to him, and regularly gathering with other Christians to worship him - to deepen and strengthen my faith in him. Difficult periods of growth have arrived in times of loss and suffering, and in those times I have been deeply thankful to know that the depth of Christ’s suffering goes hand in hand with the depth of his love for me.”
Laurel attends St Philip’s Church Hill Anglican in the Sydney CBD where her husband Justin is the Rector. St Philip’s plays an important role in the history of ADM, as it was the site of a key meeting that led to the establishment of the deaconess order in Sydney by Rev. Mervyn and Martha Archdall in 1891.
Laurel saw the advertisement for the role of Principal of Mary Andrews College in the ADM newsletter. She shares, “I was encouraged to apply by several people I trust, and after praying about it for a couple of weeks, I applied.” On receiving the role Laurel describes herself as “deeply thankful” to God for the opportunity.
As a lecturer, researcher and writer, Laurel brings experience as a teacher and a thought leader that will serve to shape and lead the College. Her passion and reliance on Scripture for navigating life and ministry is a core conviction that drives Laurel’s work, and that well qualifies her for this role.
Looking back on the experiences that have brought her to this appointment, Laurel reflects, “Each role, whether paid or voluntary, has given me the opportunity to learn new skills and brought people into my life I wouldn't have known otherwise. My hope is that my skills can be used by God in my new role at Mary Andrews College.”
“Laurel is passionate about women accessing theological education that will lead to them growing in love and service of our Lord, Jesus. She is warm, kind, curious, and fiercely intelligent. Exactly the kind of woman you want in your corner championing ADM’s vision to support women to bring the love of Jesus to our hurting world.”
As a leader Laurel aims to be collaborative and open, seeking the best in the gifts and wisdom of those in her team. She is conscientious, hard-working, imaginative and friendly, and, most importantly, has a character shaped by the gospel.
ADM CEO Mary Un says, “Laurel is passionate about women accessing theological education that will lead to them growing in love and service of our Lord, Jesus. She is warm, kind, curious, and fiercely intelligent. Exactly the kind of woman you want in your corner championing ADM's vision to support women to bring the love of Jesus to our hurting world.”
Mary is excited about the potential Laurel will bring to the Mary Andrews College team and to the college and its students. She says, “Laurel has abundant creativity and strives to bring excellence to all she does. In particular, she is committed to delivering best-practice teaching methodologies to ensure that our students engage deeply with theology using both their head and heart.”
There are over 26,000 adult women regularly attending Anglican churches in Sydney. If you look beyond this diocese, there are tens of thousands more women following Jesus.
Mary reflects, “That is an enormous audience that Mary Andrews College can support to access good theological education. I want Mary Andrews College to be the beginning of a lifelong journey women embark on to grow in spiritual maturity and love and knowledge of the Lord. We want to build an institution that has something for every woman in every age and stage.”
ADM is excited that Laurel has come on board as Principal to champion and lead the college in this vision.
Laurel says, “I am really looking forward to working with the wonderful team at ADM and getting to know the staff and students of Mary Andrews College.” She is praying she can rely on God every day to use her for his purpose at the college.
Please join us in prayer, thanking God for bringing Laurel to ADM and Mary Andrews College, and praying for her in this transition. Laurel asks specifically for prayer as she approaches this change in responsibility. “I have the usual fears of letting people down. I would love people to pray that, in all things, I would remember God is in control, his son Jesus is reigning, his Word is alive, and his Spirit is moving.”
More leadership team news from Mary Andrews College
Joining Dr Laurel Moffatt and our Dean of Students, Rev. Kate Snell, ADM is also delighted to announce the part-time appointment of Rachel Ciano in the role of Dean of Academic Development at Mary Andrews College College.
Rachel is a Lecturer in Christianity in History at Sydney Missionary Bible College. Her research focuses on sixteenth-century Reformation history and theology. She is the co-author of 10 Dead Guys You Should Know, and 10 Dead Gals You Should Know. She serves alongside her husband who is the minister at Marrickville Road Church. Rachel brings to the role a passion for seeing women theologically trained and equipped to bring Jesus to their communities.
We look forward to sharing more about Rachel soon.