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The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search |
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a healthy church...transformingLIFE |
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April 2007 |
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Mission Deirdre Hunter's wayAt the ordination of the Revd Deirdre Hunter, Archdeacon Gilbert Page reminded the candidates that 'the Lord told the shepherds of Israel that their call was to care for and tend the flock of God.' From that day forward until her death in Launceston on 25 November 2006, Deirdre Hunter followed those words. Deirdre knew that God had called her. Called her from Adelaide to live at Elizabeth Town and to worship at Deloraine; called her from there to Exeter in 1991 and to worship at All Saints; called her too, to the ministry. The people of the West Tamar and Exeter and Gravelly Beach in particular became her flock. She was ordained Deacon by Bishop Phillip Newell in 1998 and then, with Stephen Carnaby, Sharon Green and Peter Johnson, entered the priesthood in September 2000. For the next four years Deirdre was our non-stipendiary priest sharing her ministry with the Revds John Clarkson and Bob McKay. For 18 months she led the parish on her own. She cared, tended, challenged, mentored, led and stimulated us. Deirdre embraced her community. Embraced it by leading a local group to complete a mural on the back of the church to commemorate 100 years since Federation; embraced it by establishing a branch of Mothers Union; embraced it and extended our mission by beginning a monthly family service, and through holding Christingle Services, trivia and boules afternoons. Running side by side with these initiatives were the Bible study groups that she led, the counselling of individuals in Safe Ministry and for ten years she taught five Religious Education classes a week at Beaconsfield and Exeter. Her parish flock were cared for and tended by the little note, the timely phone call, the visit. We were nourished and challenged by her from the pulpit and personally. Prayer underpinned all that she did. Prayer was her foundation. Shopping for those pretty clothes that she wore was her pleasure, her joy. Through these years Neville was always there, caring for her, as was her faithful dog Sasha. We remember and give thanks.
From Robin McDonald and the people of West Tamar, Exeter and Gravelly Beach |
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