Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Ministry Support Scheme Grantees Announced
— 6 July 2021
ADM is delighted to announce that twenty-two women have received grants to support their ministries through the 2020 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Ministry Support Scheme.
Grants have been awarded to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian women who are serving and ministering to their communities out of their Christian faith. The scheme invited applications for grant amounts between $250 - $2,500 and provides funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian women serving through both formal and informal, paid and unpaid, ministries.
The scheme provides support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian women as they demonstrate the love of God in action through their faithful service of Christ and their communities. Some of the initiatives supported by these grants include funds towards postgraduate research, a podcast ministry, seed funding for new and emerging local ministries, as well as stipends to help financially support ongoing ministries and Christian service.
An online celebration was held on the 21 June 2021, bringing together a number of grantees to share about their ministries, and to encourage and pray for each other in continuing to serve Christ and their communities.
ADM’s Aboriginal Women in Ministry Grantees at the online celebration. Clockwise: ADM Program Officer, Melina Ey; Grantees, Kaylene Manton, Aunty Rev. Patricia Courtenay, Christine Ellis and Renee Watego; and ADM CEO, Rev. Jo Gibbs.
“We’re thankful as an organisation to be able to both acknowledge and affirm the work that God is doing through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women by providing these grants. These are women serving Christ faithfully at the grassroots level in a diverse range of ministries around Australia.”
As Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian women continue to be uniquely placed to speak and act with the love of Christ throughout their communities, this scheme provides them with additional support and resourcing for their ministries.
“We’re thankful as an organisation to be able to both acknowledge and affirm the work that God is doing through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women by providing these grants”, said Rev. Jo Gibbs, CEO of Anglican Deaconess Ministries (ADM). “These are women serving Christ faithfully at the grassroots level in a diverse range of ministries around Australia.”
ADM is growing gospel-shaped women to serve Christ in the church, the community, and the world. Our 2020 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Ministry Support Scheme continued our mission to resource, encourage and equip Christian women.
2020 Grantees – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Ministry Support Scheme
Aunty Glendora Naden
Renee Watego
Aunty Rev. Patricia Courtenay
Lucie Wheeler
Auntie Jean Phillips
Auntie Esme Fewquandie
Auntie Jackie Eades
Christine Ellis
Sharon Minniecon
Aunty Elizabeth Law
Sarah-Jane Hollingsworth
Aunty Ravina Waldren
Kaylene Manton
Bianca Manning
Aunty Alexandra Gater
Colina Reuben
Mary Rautahi-Duckett
Jill Doolan
Talicia Bolea
Kathryn Naden & the Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship Eastern Area Ladies Committee
Safina Stewart