Mary Andrews College Graduation 2010


What an evening of celebration Friday 5 March was as

nearly one hundred family, friends and colleagues gathered in St Andrew's Cathedral Chapter House for the Graduation of seven Mary Andrews College students. The evening was a very appropriate celebration and acknowledgement of the achievements of these graduating students. We give thanks to God that each of them are involved in Christian ministry and will continue to be servants of Jesus in various capacities - in Bible teaching, pastoral care, hospital chaplaincy, creative ministries.

Rev Jackie Stoneman, Director of Studies, welcomed everyone and led the service during which two of the students were interviewed.

Susan Weenink spoke of her desire to do hospital chaplaincy and how she commenced her studies with Mary Andrews College in Canberra a number of years ago before moving to Nowra. She had done some distance education with other Australian College of Theology (ACT) colleges, but after enrolling with Mary Andrews College considered the face-to-face teaching to be a far better learning environment, especially for women. She greatly valued learning with other women and the opportunity to do that in regional centres.

Jennie Everist spoke of her desire to do parish pastoral ministry and her rector's recommendation that she do theological study at Mary Andrews College. She had previously worked in medical administration and had done some counselling training. The Diploma of Theology course at Mary Andrews College was an excellent asset alongside her parish pastoral work.

Our guest speaker for the evening was the exciting and engaging Mrs Debbie Gould. Debbie is a graduate of the College and now works as assistant minister at St Paul's Chatswood. She told us of her journey through study and working in ministry, and of the joy and privilege of continuing to see God opening up new ways for her to serve him and his people. She opened God's word to us from Titus 3:1-8 and encouraged the graduates, and all gathered, to be confident in God's loving kindness to us and to rest in the mercy and strength of God and the Holy Spirit whom he has poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

This Graduation also saw the inaugural presentation of the Mary Andrews Prize. This financial prize of $500 was awarded for Academic Excellence to the student with the highest mark in the High Distinction grade in any subject in 2009. Dr Karin Sowada, CEO of the Anglican Deaconess Institution, was pleased to present this prize to Helen Reid. Dr Sowada spoke of the scholarships, prizes and awards that have been created by the ADISL to encourage and develop women studying at Mary Andrews College, Moore College and other tertiary institutions.

The climax of the evening was the presentation of the awards by the Rev Dr Mark Harding, CEO and Dean of the ACT. Mary Andrews College is an affiliated college of the Australian College of Theology and Dr Harding spoke in very warm and encouraging tones of the performance of Mary Andrews College, commending its students and faculty. In particular this year he commended those responsible for the relocation of the College from our former property in Stanmore to the new city location in St Andrew's House. He said that the library, teaching centre and office facilities were first rate and would indeed well enable the College to continue to equip women to serve Christ for many years to come.

Each student was warmly applauded as they received their award. Prayers for each were led by faculty members Liz McCoy and Marge Mills.

Photos were taken , supper enjoyed and guests were taken on a tour of our new facilities in the adjacent St Andrew's House.

What an encouraging evening as we sent out Lenore, John, Margery, Jennie, Jacky, Helen and Susan to love and serve the Lord.






The 2010 Graduates are

Lenore Adams with Diploma of Theology

John Davis with Diploma of Theology

Margery Day with Diploma of Theology

Jennie Everist with Diploma of Theology

Jacky Hooper with Licentiate in Theology

Helen Reid with Advanced Diploma of Ministry

Susan Weenink with Diploma of Ministry


View the full gallery of photos from the 2010 Graduation.