Anglican Deaconess Ministries

18/06/2026

We tend to assume that more knowledge leads to a life well-lived. Clearer thinking, a sounder foundation... and surely the rest would follow.

But most of us know it isn't that simple.

Rev. Dr Becki Philips leads this free five-day email series exploring what it truly means to know God — not just know more about him. Each day brings a short theological reflection, a question to sit with, a simple practice, a prayer and space to share your reflections along the way.

We'd love for you to join us. Sign up via the link in our profile.

17/06/2026

Sarah Condie has been pastorally caring for others most of her life. Ever since she became a Christian as a young teenager, she has sought to walk alongside or offer care to her brothers and sisters in Christ. This year, it will be 50 years since she made the decision to follow Jesus, and over this time, she has continued to improve her skills and abilities in offering compassionate and theologically informed care. While this resource can’t capture all her wisdom it is a bite sized package of her key life lessons.

There are three parts. First, a brief overview or ‘blueprint’ of what pastoral care is and what it involves. The second section focuses on the carer – how can you continue to offer care without becoming exhausted and burnt out? The final section is your pastoral care toolbox – resources that will be helpful in offering care. Find them here >> https://mentalhealthinstitute.org.au/pastoral-care/healthy-pastoral-care

16/06/2026

Our inaugural Academic Conference is coming up on Tuesday. Learn more about the exciting program, presenters and abstracts, and make sure to register here >> https://www.mac.edu.au/academic-conference-2026

Presenters:
Tim Argall
Rev. Dr Matt Aroney
Candice Bergamin
Dr Megan Best
Anna Brotherson
Rev. Belinda Burn
Zoe Earnshaw
Rev. Dr Andrew Errington
Catherine Fisher
Alanna Glover
Rev. Dr David A Höhne
Rev. Stephanie Judd
Krystyna Kidson
Siân Lim
Jodie McIver
Rev. Dr Becki Philip
Alexandra Prentice
Rev. Natalie Ray
Cindy van der Ree
Penny J Reeve
Lucas Sharley
Dr Nicole Starling
Donna Toulmin
Rev. Dr Danielle Treweek
Rev. Craig Tubman
Dr Kamina Wüst

16/06/2026

Who are you excited to hear from at the Mary Andrews College Academic Conference on Tuesday? We've got a great group of theologians presenting their papers. Register now >> https://events.humanitix.com/mary-andrews-college-academic-conference-2026?c=admsocials

15/06/2026

Join us for an unforgettable Theology After Dark as Mary Andrews College presents an Evensong service, 22nd June, 5:30pm – 6:30pm at the Garrison Church in the Rocks. The music will be specially arranged and performed by Alanna Glover, ADM Fellow and EMU Music’s Creative Director.

The service will feature the traditional liturgy of Evening Prayer led by Rev. Natalie Ray, with Rev. Dr Becki Philip preaching on 'how we know God'.

Invite some friends or meet some new ones, and be encouraged by the deep truths of God within the heart of the city.

This event is free—but please RSVP here so we can save you a spot >> https://events.humanitix.com/theology-after-dark-becki-philip?c=adm-socials

14/06/2026

15–19 June is Men's Mental Health Week. Orygen, Australia’s leading mental health organisation, surveyed 800 young men and this is what they found:

"They feel the dominant social expectation is to tough it out through experiences of mental ill-health."

Rev. Dr Keith Condie believes that the church has rich resources which, when appropriately deployed, can offer real benefit in the confused and problematic landscape of modern masculinity. Read Keith's reflection here >> https://mentalhealthinstitute.org.au/wellbeing/masculinity-mental-health-and-the-church

11/06/2026

Meet Your Semester 2 Lecturers at Mary Andrews College!

You're invited to explore Scripture, theology, and ministry with some of our exceptional lecturers:

• Naomi Escott – served in schools, parish ministry, and charity work; passionate about theology shaping practical Christian living
• Amy Yeung – teaching on theological approaches to wellbeing and pastoral care for young people, with over 15 years experience in the areas of mental health and wellbeing
• Rev. Di Morgan – has served in church ministry for 22 years, as well as in professional pastoral supervision and spiritual retreat leadership
• Rev. Natalie Ray – over 20 years in pastoral ministry with a Master of Arts in Theology
• Rev. Canon Dr Brian Rosner and Dr Viv Cheung – bringing scholarly depth to Paul's letters and their relevance for ministry today
Rev. Dr Keith Condie – a leading voice in the church on mental health and pastoral care
As you learn from these experts, it is our prayer that you will grow in knowledge, faith, and ministry skills. Semester 2 enrolments are open now. Learn more and apply: mac.edu.au/our-units

09/06/2026

Everyday Theology is a free, short email series that gives you short, sharp theology. For five days, you’ll get an email from us with a theological reflection, a question for you to ponder, and an opportunty to engage with others on the topic.

Why? Our conviction at Mary Andrews College is that we all need more theology, not less. When we learn theology, we understand more of God and how to live in his world. But how do we fit even a little bit of theology into the frantic busyness of our lives?

Our aim with Everyday Theology is that they’re short enough to read or watch over your morning tea or coffee—and deep enough to last a lifetime.

Sign up now and you’ll receive the next series when it starts on 22 June, when we'll be learning with Rev. Dr Becki Philip. Becki will be helping us explore what it means to know God with our whole selves—and how that knowing shapes everyday life. Sign up here >> https://www.mac.edu.au/everyday-theology-becki

09/06/2026

Countless issues confront young Australians today. Would you like to be better equipped to help them navigate these complexities? Join us for this Professional Development offering, at which we'll explore the theological foundations for pastoral support and spiritual formation of children and young people.

This Mental Health Institute and Mary Andrews College Intensive is a Professional Development offering for ministry workers, teachers, school counsellors, and mental health professionals. Parents, grandparents, and anyone concerned for the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of children and young people will also benefit from the content. Register here >> https://events.humanitix.com/theologically-informed-pastoral-care-for-young-people-in-the-contemporary-world?c=socials

You may choose to attend for ONE, TWO, or all THREE days.

Date: Monday October 12 – Wednesday October 14; 9:00am – 5:00pm

Monday: Young lives in a complex world - key questions and issues; how relationships shape personhood and supporting growth into independent adulthood; AI chatbots and what they tell us about the enduring importance of relationships; spiritual formation in relational ecosystems
Tuesday: Theological anthropology – understanding our created humanity; young people and sexuality: consent and respectful relationships, sexualised online content
Wednesday: Neurodivergence; the ‘digital native’ experience and its consequences; supporting wellbeing in children and young people; mental health and mental illness in young lives
Delivery mode: Hybrid (in person and online)

If you would like to study this as an accredited unit through Mary Andrews College, follow this link: https://www.mac.edu.au/our-units

Be equipped to respond with informed, compassionate care through exploring the theological foundations for pastoral support and spiritual formation of youth.

08/06/2026

Supporting Young Women = Presence over Perfection

Whether you're a parent, youth leader, teacher or mentor, just showing up with curiosity, care and consistency can make all the difference to a young person's life

These resources are designed to help individual Christians and church communities better understand the mental health challenges young women face and know how to respond with care, understanding and theological grounding:

10 Ways to Support Young Women: Parts 1, 2 & 3 by Amy Yeung
Words to pray for young women and mental health
Young women and mental health fact sheet
>> https://mentalhealthinstitute.org.au/resources/mental-health/youth-mental-health

If you'd like to be even better equipped to care for young people, we have an exciting Professional Development opportunity coming up in October: Theologically informed pastoral care for young people in the contemporary world, taught by Rev. Dr Keith Condie and Amy Yeung. Learn more and register here >> https://events.humanitix.com/theologically-informed-pastoral-care-for-young-people-in-the-contemporary-world?c=socials