What does recovery from trauma look like when it’s led by women, for women, and grounded in gospel-shaped hope? That’s the heartbeat of Banksia Women—a Sydney-based ministry supporting women who’ve experienced domestic abuse. 

Founded in 2019, Banksia Women walks alongside women in their healing journey—offering care, connection, and community in the name of Christ. With the help of a Women in Ministry Support Scheme (WIMSS) grant from ADM, Banksia Women has been able to grow its services and strengthen the gospel foundations that shape every aspect of their work. 

If there’s anyone qualified to prepare a series of workshops to equip pastoral caregivers, ministry staff and everyday Christians to better serve the mental health needs of their churches and communities, it’s Miriam. Yet if it weren’t for her six-month period as an ADM Fellow, the workshops simply wouldn’t exist.

Living Water, a church plant under the Evangelism and New Churches arm of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, regularly holds services and gatherings in Redfern Park, rather than inside their building. By doing this, they are better able to engage with the community of Redfern, and also support their largely Indigenous congregation to embrace their connection to country.

Recently, Living Water Church, through one of their team members Bridget Allen, were recipients of a Women in Ministry Support Scheme grant from ADM. Part of this grant has been used to purchase a portable barbeque which the church uses to cook during their outside gatherings. This can draw a crowd as people approach for a tasty meal, and then meet the church members and hear the gospel proclaimed.

Anglican Deaconess Ministries (ADM) is pleased to announce the 26 recipients of the 2024 Women in Ministry Support Scheme (WIMSS). These grants—valued up to $2,000 each—are designed to empower Christian women across Australia as they serve God in creative and meaningful ways.

Before 1989, Anglican women ministering in the Sydney diocese were “set apart” as deaconesses— the lay order from which ADM’s name is derived. In 1989, that changed as trained women began to be ordained as deacons. There are no more deaconesses working in paid employment, though some still serve as they can and pray faithfully. And now, we are seeing the first female deacons start to retire. Rev. Jan Donohoo was in that historic first cohort of female deacons, and since then, she’s served in various ministry across the Diocese. All the diversity of her experiences have prepared her well for her current role: ADM Chaplain to the deaconesses and retired female clergy.

Anglican Deaconess Ministries is delighted to announce our 2025 Fellows cohort. With ADM’s support, these four women will bring together their areas of expertise and their faith to complete major projects that engage our sceptical and hurting world with the gospel.

ADM is pleased to announce the appointment of Liz Mansour as Chief of Staff. The ADM Chief of Staff role has been primarily designed to help break down silos between ministries and ensure that ADM’s strategic priorities are progressing.

The Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute (MHPCI) is growing quickly, and it recently became clear that in order to continue providing Christians and churches with informed and compassionate mental health resources, the Institute needed to employ another team member.

Social worker Angela Ferguson shares how her Greenhouse Guild for trauma workers is helping to equip her for longterm service in a challenging role.

Our CEO Mary Un was honoured to be asked by Bible Society Australia to write a one-week set of devotions for their Daily Bible series. Mary’s reflections draw on a 1917 publication, the Deaconess Book of Devotions, printed during World War I. We invite you to read the series, reflecting on God’s Word and learning from the faithful witness of the courageous and committed women who served as Deaconesses.

Over the past year, Anglican Deaconess Ministries (ADM) has embarked on a journey of prayerful reflection to sharpen the articulation of our vision, mission, and values, in alignment with our Constitutional Object and Theological Principles. This work, driven by extensive collaboration among the ADM Board, CEO, and staff, has sought to clarify our identity, purpose, and avenues for engagement, allowing Christians to play active roles in our ministries. 

Nestled in the heart of Sydney's bustling CBD, Anglican Deaconess Ministries (ADM) is pleased to unveil a new initiative tailored exclusively for women in ministry. We’re excited to announce the launch of our Women in Ministry Co-working Space, a peaceful environment designed to foster productivity, collaboration, and support among women in ministry.

The Church suffers when women’s stories, perspectives and insights are missed. But sadly, women’s stories are often hidden from history, and historically women haven’t been given the same opportunities to study theology in depth. Historian, theologian, 2023 ADM Fellow and new Dean of Academic Development at Mary Andrews College, Rachel Ciano, is trying to do something about that, with her passions for history, theology and teaching entwined.

As we warmly welcome our 2024 ADM Fellows in the ADM space, it is also time for our 2023 Fellows to pack their bags and say farewell. Their Fellowships have come to an end, and they’re leaving ADM to make room for our 2024 Fellows. Or are they?

ADM announces 26 recipients of Women in Ministry Support Scheme grants

Anglican Deaconess Ministries (ADM) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Women in Ministry Support Scheme (WIMSS). ADM is delighted to award grants of up to $2,000 each to 26 Christian women from across Australia, empowering them in their diverse ministries.

ADM is delighted to introduce our 8th cohort of Fellows, with five women appointed to complete major projects that engage our sceptical and hurting world with the gospel.

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.

The Greenhouse has grown so much so quickly, that it has become clear that for this seedling community to keep growing, connecting and encouraging Christian women, we needed to employ a second team member, someone to focus on building community and helping members engage with each other. Today, ADM is thrilled to announce the appointment of Louisa Raggatt as The Greenhouse’s Community and Engagement Manager. 

WIMSS grantee Arda Cholakyan is the Children and Families Minister at Lakemba Anglican Church, and she’s using the funding to support ministry to children and their parents.

After the isolation of the COVID pandemic, and now running her own business, Jessica Carroll Smith has found The Greenhouse to be a nurturing community for like-minded Christian women seeking to utilise their gifts for God in their respective contexts.