We acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Boon wurrung people, a part of the Kulin nation, and we pay our respect to their ancestors and their elders.
"I, You and Us - Creating a Loving, Lasting Marriage" by Shirley Goldsworthy, is a handbook for couples, clergy and marriage educators. Shirley, a qualified Psychologist, runs our own parish Marriage Education Program. For details, reviews and purchase click >>>>
"The Waterhole - thoughts for prayer and reflection" - download latest edition as pdf >>>>
Parish Annual Report 2009 - by Rev'd Hans Christiansen >>>>
I came to
this parish in October 2009, as Locum Tenens (or Acting Vicar), during the
Vicar’s absence on sick leave, and continued as assistant priest when she
returned briefly. Now requiring a further period of leave the Vicar has
announced her intention to resign, and, when she does step down, the Bishop has
indicated that I may be asked to continue as Acting Vicar until a new Vicar is
able to be appointed.
With my
wife Sandra, I have lived most of my life between Brisbane and Melbourne. We
have four children (two married, with five grandchildren so far).
Sandra and
I both worked in education for a period of our lives, Sandra in primary and
myself in secondary, adult and tertiary. Sandra went on to become an
Educational and Consulting Psychologist. I pursued studies in 17th Century
English dramatic literature, theatrical design and performance and the
development of London theatres and opera houses. I also researched Melbourne
public performances in the 1860s.
En route to
England for my theological training we changed course and remained in
Melbourne, committing ourselves to teaching and to academic study and research.
While doing my Ph.D. in London, we decided to recommit to the Christian faith
and church participation.
On my return to Melbourne, I was accepted as a candidate for the
Anglican priesthood and began part-time studies while working full time as a
lecturer at a teachers college. A year later I decided upon full time study in
Brisbane. Twenty seven years later, upon my retirement, we returned to
Melbourne, Sandra to help look after our Melbourne one year old grandson, and I
to do locums and pursue the healing ministry.
I have a
commitment to a traditional and biblical faith and a Spirit gifted-ministry, in
preaching and in the ministry of healing. I bring to my role a passion for the
authority of the Scriptures as the record of God’s supreme revelation of his
nature and purposes, and an enthusiasm for the gifts and action of the Holy
Spirit; a love of liturgical and biblical language and a lively sense of the
beauty, truth and power of Christian Spirit-filled prayer and praise to change
lives; a pleasure in blending the Sacramental, Evangelical and Pentecostal
elements of Christian proclamation and celebration and a conviction in the
mystical reality of God present in holy water, wine, bread and oil and sacred
objects, actions and words as well as in the people of the Body of Christ.
I also have
a well-developed interest in healing through guided meditation, through prayer
and the laying-on of hands with anointing. Sandra and I have worked together in
couple counselling. I am a member of and Melbourne Diocesan Chaplain to the
Mothers Union (MU). I am a life member of the Order of Saint Luke the
Physician, and am a Priest Associate of the Sisters of the Sacred Advent. I
also serve as a Spiritual Director for Men’s Cursillos.
We ask the
people of this parish for your patience, support and prayers as we undertake
this ministry among you, and assure you of our eagerness to be a blessing to
you as you journey through this time of transition between Vicars.
Born
and bred in Melbourne, I have worked most of my adult life as a music teacher -
private piano students; primary music classes and all sorts of community music
groups. Have fitted this in around a husband and three sons who are now adult
and busy in their own careers. Parish life has always been a big part of my
life too. I was ordained a distinctive deacon in February 2003, and now find
myself back working out in the community using my music to bring people
together whether they be 8 months or 80 years old!
A
distinctive deacon fills a different place from the priest. They are often
described as the bridge between the church and the community. Four parishes
contribute to varying degrees to pay some of my stipend, and the diocese
through the support of our regional bishop provides the remainder. It is an
exciting and new way of doing things! My work In Sorrento – Rye Parish is with
the Music and Storytelling, Musik Makers Programs at the church in Rye and at
Rye Primary School, Tell Me a Story, Jumping Jacks Band and as director of the
adult Choir.
I am a retired
priest who worked in parish ministry and in Anglican welfare. Before my ordination I was Victorian
organizer/lecturer in sex education with what is now known as the Family Life
Movement. From this I developed a lasting
interest in promoting lasting, happy marriages.
Before retirement I was Associate Priest at St. John’s Toorak with
responsibility for marriage education and counselling.
My wife,
Shirley, is a Registered Psychologist. We
have worked together in Marriage Education for 25 years and together present
the Marriage Education Program at St. John’s, Sorrento.
My interests
include our large family, classical and jazz music, clocks, and my shed.
I am a retired
priest now living in West Rosebud and a regular worshipper in Sorrento-Rye
parish. With a varied experience of ministry in city parishes, in Army and
Industrial Chaplaincies, and in the mining areas of North West Australia, I now
enjoy assisting with services in this parish when needed.
I am a member of several local clubs
and enjoy travel, lawn bowls, theatre and gardening.
A
Kindergarten Director in Melbourne before moving to the Peninsula, I taught at
a Mornington Pre-School for 10 years. Whilst there I gained funding for an
Early Intervention programme for children with Special needs. As my position
had then become that of Counsellor, Educator, and Social Worker, I furthered my
studies in Counselling and Family Therapy and moved on to establish a Child and
Family Service at Monash University.
With
further experience, I became involved in the establishment of a Child and
Family Agency, now called Anglicare Family Services. It was during this period
I discovered Sandplay and Expressive Therapy. As then Team Leader I was
fortunate to introduce this new modality to the agency.
On
completion of training in this specialised field I began my own practice in
order to specialise in this fairly new field in Australia and recently attended
extensive training in Zurich Switzerland where Sandplay Therapy originated.
In
2003 I came to the Parish, offering my services to the Parish and community of
the surrounding area.
I
believe strongly in Community and Social Justice and am involved in caring for
the environment. I am a long serving member of a Foreshore Committee.
I
liase with schools and community groups and enjoy the networking all this
involves.
I have lived on the
Mornington Peninsula for 17 years having moved from the Eastern Suburbs where I
grew up.
I met my husband on a
blind date, hence my move here, and we have been happily married for 14 years
and are blessed with two beautiful children, Jessica and Max. We have a dog called Axil, two turtles, Buddy
and B.J. and a blue tongue lizard called Lizzie.
I have been in the
administrative field since moving here and spent 15 years working within the
radiology field before becoming a Hospitality Manager for a golf course. In this role I organized and ran weddings,
corporate events, golf days etc… This
was extremely rewarding but involved long hours and weekend work. After three years, I missed my growing family
too much and decided to help out in our community by becoming a home
carer. I met a variety of people whom I
enjoyed seeing on a regular basis, keeping up with their news and helping out
in any way I could. This job was very
good for the soul and I felt rewarded by my experiences with such wonderful
people – some I still pop in to visit and have a cuppa.
I am extremely
privileged to have been offered the opportunity to work as the Parish
Administrator and have once again, met and gotten to know many wonderful
people.
My role is as PA to the clergy, assistant
to the Treasurer, and co-ordinator of our varied Parish business and
activities. The office is open 5 mornings a week from 9am to 1pm. The weddings
secretaries are there on Tuesday's from 12pm - 2pm.
I hope to stay and grow
with the parish and only leave when I’m ready to retire, like Helen, my
predecessor.
Rufus,
regularly attends church services at St Andrews Rye, is self appointed welcomer
and honorary member of all committees. He finds dogs and small children rather
unpredictable. He enjoys the quieter services and has an uncanny knack of
choosing to sit with someone who needs his comfort.
I came to
this parish in October 2009, as Locum Tenens (or Acting Vicar), during the
Vicar’s absence on sick leave, and continued as assistant priest when she
returned briefly. Now requiring a further period of leave the Vicar has
announced her intention to resign, and, when she does step down, the Bishop has
indicated that I may be asked to continue as Acting Vicar until a new Vicar is
able to be appointed.
I have lived on the
Mornington Peninsula for 17 years having moved from the Eastern Suburbs where I
grew up. 