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.

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.

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.