Nathan gets born again, again

There were smiles all round for the 57 candidates attending their pre-ordination conference this week but one smile was wider than most. Nathan Sandon was struck down with a severe illness halfway through his course, causing him to miss six months of college. To have emerged from "a dark forest' as he calls it, and to finally complete his studies and move to ordination is something he wasn’t sure he’d see.

Not only is the group to be ordained this year the biggest ever, it is also one of the most diverse. "More school chaplains than we've had in any year group before" says Rev Ken Noakes from Ministry, Training and Development (M,T & D).

One of those Chaplaincy candidates has already started at St Andrew's Cathedral School. Alex Koch has been ministering at the Fix congregation at the Cathedral but now says "I'm involved with chapel, teach Christian studies and teach some maths as well which is my background. The year has already started so this conference is wonderfully re-orienting. Just great to touch base with old friends and a great reminder about what I've been training for and what I'll be doing".

The Archbishop's Ordination supervisor Rev Rob Smith says the group, although large, is close "It's a loving group and their experience at college brings a depth to their fellowship." The pre-ordination conference leads up to the ordination service on Saturday, 6th February at St Andrew's Cathedral.

Photo: L to R: Candy Yip, Nathan Sandon, Alex Koch at the pre-ordination conference.

Mr Smith says the candidates are passionate and committed - like Candy Yip, who will continue to work at Lidcombe Anglican Church after her ordination, with an emphasis on young adults and youth. " We are a growing, bi-lingual church. I'm looking forward to continuing to learn to be a faithful servant for the Lord and to grow together with our leaders and the team at the church" ."

In turn, parishes have also been passionate about the ordinands’ future ministry. “As of October, 22 people were still without jobs. Now everyone has a position. Parishes have really jumped in” says Ken Noakes.

But perhaps the most passionate is the man who has another chance at life.

"Oh I feel wonderful. I'm praising God that after what I have been through I have now come out the other side." says Nathan Sandon.

"I feel born again, again. Another chance to take stock and be grateful for each of the little bits and pieces which it is easy to take for granted. Doing something really simple like eating a meal, but also being able to preach and serve as well."

Archbishop Jensen has asked people to be in prayer for the candidates as they prepare for ordination on Saturday. See below for a complete list of candidates and parishes.

2010 DEACONS

Michael Mackenzie Allen - Northmead and Winston Hills
John Robert Bartik - Randwick
Benjamin Alexander Bathgate - Lakemba
Anthony Grant Benn - Shore
Benjamin Roy Boardman - Engadine
Paul Laurence Brigden - Macquarie University
Xuesong Chen - Parramatta
Steven Christoforidis - Earlwood
Daniel Mark Ian Cole - Darling Point
Angela Jane Cook - Ryde
Blair Desmond Courtney-O’Connor - Berowra
Michael Robert Doyle - Unichurch (UNSW)
David James Esdale - Corrimal
Samuel John Freney - North Epping
Scott Goode - Dapto
Nicholas Hadges - Arncliffe
Brian John Hall - Hurstville Grove
Richard Jonathan Hall - Thornleigh-Pennant Hills
Paul Michael Hallam - Minchinbury
Ivan Bradley Harris - Oakhurst
Rowan Anthony Hilsden - Rooty Hill
Kenneth Michael Hyam - Diocese of Adelaide
Jenny Ihn - St Phlip’s York Street
Alexander William Albert Koch - St Andrew’s Cathedral School
Matthew John Lemsing - Annandale
Dianne Maree Lucas - Caringbah
Nathan Albert Manwaring - Riverwood/Punchbowl
Graeme John Marks - Blacktown
Richard Peter Mason - Normanhurst
Jai Seth McMordie - Helensburgh with Stanwell Park
Clayton Maxwell Moss - Strathfield and Homebush (Meriden)
Rhys Kedric Old - Gladesville
Jonathan Hal Peart - Panania
Angelo Peter Porcu - Cooks River
Adam David Richards - Narellan & UWS Macarthur
Stephen Barrett Rockwell - St Ives
Nathan John Sandon - West Wollongong
Jaekoo Shin - Macquarie
Natasha Anne Small - St Ives
Grahame Hugh Wesley Smith - Naremburn/Cammeray
Hayden Angelo Smith - Broadway
Andrew David Spalding - Narellan
Timothy David St Quintin - Willoughby
Matthew James Stedman - Roseville
Leung Sung - Carlingford and North Rocks
Trent Lincoln Sutcliffe - Eagle Vale
Geoffrey Rien Thompson - Figtree
Hung-En Tien - Chatswood
Stuart Cameron Tye - King’s School
Daniel Philip Walmsley - Quakers Hill
Edison Seng Huat Wee - Cabramatta
Stewart Robert George Witt - Concord West with Concord North
David Michael Whittingham - Shellharbour City Centre
Luke David Woodhouse - St Ives
Candy Ho Yee Yip - Lidcombe
Alexander Walter Zunica - Caringbah