The big change - May 2006

Southern Cross | 1 May 2006

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SUZANNE FREEMAN
Emmanuel Anglican Church, Lawson

Before Suzanne Freeman became a Christian she knew something wasn’t right in her life. She had many questions.

“I had a Christian friend for a long time who I would fling questions at,” she says.

That friend, Coral Carey, often invited Suzanne to her church at St Mary’s. Suzanne would agree to attend then back out at the last minute.

“Then I went to her house one day and I was asking her questions, wanting to know more about the Bible,” Suzanne says. “I needed evidence.”

Suzanne asked Coral if she could study the Bible to learn more before making a commitment to Christ.

“I know God works in mysterious ways, because the same day David Clarke [the rector of St Mary Magdalene, St Mary’s] dropped by and left a letter in the letterbox about the Introducing God course they were running.” Suzanne started the eight-week evangelistic course in 2005.

“It gave me a lot of evidence and as I started praying for things I saw changes occurring in my life,” she says.

Suzanne and her husband, Gregg, were struggling to sell their house at the time, which caused Suzanne a lot of anxiety.

“When the house went to auction and got passed in, my non-Christian friends were surprised that I wasn’t upset. I said, ‘I know when God’s timing is right it will happen’.”

When Suzanne was asked if she was interested in being confirmed, she agreed, and was confirmed at St Mary’s in July 2005.

Suzanne, Gregg, and her two sons, aged seven and three sold their house and in February moved to the Blue Mountains, where Suzanne and her sons attend Emmanuel Anglican Church, Lawson.

Gary Nelson moves to Moore College

The Rev Gary Nelson will become Director of External Studies at Moore Theological College from June 5. Mr Nelson has been the rector of St Matthew’s, Panania for the last 17 years and says the new position will be a ‘big change’. The position puts Mr Nelson in charge of areas such as evening Diploma courses, the Preliminary Theological Certificate and other correspondence courses. Mr Nelson is the first full-time Director of External Studies – the position was previously looked after part-time by a faculty member. “Moore has grown to the stage where we need a full-time director to see it grow and expand,” says Moore College Vice Principal Michael Hill. A new rector will be appointed at St Matthew’s from next year.

New chairman for Anglican Media

Bishop of South Sydney Robert Forsyth has been elected Chairman of the Anglican Media Council. He replaces author and broadcaster Kel Richards, a long-serving member who resigned from the Council this year.

New role for Tara chaplain

The Rev Denise Nicholls has been welcomed by the Tara community as the new School Chaplain of Tara Anglican School for Girls. Ms Nicholls, who has been the Assistant Chaplain for five years, was commissioned by the Bishop of Western Sydney Ivan Lee at a recent service.

Former journalist joins Anglicare

Jim Wackett commenced in April as the new Public Affairs Manager with Anglicare (Sydney Diocese). With a background in journalism and international humanitarian relief and development, Jim has worked in the not-for-profit sector for the last 11 years, including seven years with World Vision Australia. Jim, his wife and two children attend Bobbin Head Anglican Church in North Turramurra.

CLERGY CHANGES
Gary leaves Glenmore Park for St Clair

The Rev Gary Haddon will become the new curate-in-charge of the parish of St Clair from June 30. Mr Haddon has been an assistant minister at Glenmore Park Anglican Church since 2003. The previous curate-in-charge, the Rev Stephen Hooper, completed his ministry at St Clair Anglican Church last year to become assistant minister at St Clement’s, Jannali.

Back from Brussels

The Rev Hugh Cox has been appointed the new rector of St John’s, Darlinghurst – a church that has been without a permanent rector for the past two years. “My wife [Barbara] and I felt a growing conviction that this was what God wanted us to do,” Mr Cox said.

Mr Cox leaves a chaplaincy position at St Paul’s, Tervuren in Brussels. Prior to that he was Senior Minister at St Paul’s, Castle Hill for 13 years.

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