Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Ministry Support Scheme Grantees Announced

6 July 2021

ADM is delighted to announce that twenty-two women have received grants to support their ministries through the 2020 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Ministry Support Scheme.

Grants have been awarded to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian women who are serving and ministering to their communities out of their Christian faith. The scheme invited applications for grant amounts between $250 - $2,500 and provides funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian women serving through both formal and informal, paid and unpaid, ministries.

The scheme provides support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian women as they demonstrate the love of God in action through their faithful service of Christ and their communities. Some of the initiatives supported by these grants include funds towards postgraduate research, a podcast ministry, seed funding for new and emerging local ministries, as well as stipends to help financially support ongoing ministries and Christian service.

An online celebration was held on the 21 June 2021, bringing together a number of grantees to share about their ministries, and to encourage and pray for each other in continuing to serve Christ and their communities.  

ADM’s Aboriginal Women in Ministry Grantees at the online celebration. Clockwise: ADM Program Officer, Melina Ey; Grantees, Kaylene Manton, Aunty Rev. Patricia Courtenay, Christine Ellis and Renee Watego; and ADM CEO, Rev. Jo Gibbs.

As Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian women continue to be uniquely placed to speak and act with the love of Christ throughout their communities, this scheme provides them with additional support and resourcing for their ministries.

“We’re thankful as an organisation to be able to both acknowledge and affirm the work that God is doing through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women by providing these grants”, said Rev. Jo Gibbs, CEO of Anglican Deaconess Ministries (ADM). “These are women serving Christ faithfully at the grassroots level in a diverse range of ministries around Australia.”

ADM is growing gospel-shaped women to serve Christ in the church, the community, and the world. Our 2020 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Ministry Support Scheme continued our mission to resource, encourage and equip Christian women.

“We’re thankful as an organisation to be able to both acknowledge and affirm the work that God is doing through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women by providing these grants. These are women serving Christ faithfully at the grassroots level in a diverse range of ministries around Australia.”

— Rev. Jo GIbbs, CEO of Anglican Deaconess Ministries

2020 Grantees – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Ministry Support Scheme

Aunty Ravina Waldren 

Kaylene Manton

Bianca Manning

Aunty Alexandra Gater

Colina Reuben

Mary Rautahi-Duckett

Jill Doolan

 Talicia Bolea

Kathryn Naden & the Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship Eastern Area Ladies Committee

 Safina Stewart

Aunty Glendora Naden

 Renee Watego

 Aunty Rev. Patricia Courtenay

 Lucie Wheeler

Auntie Jean Phillips

 Auntie Esme Fewquandie

 Auntie Jackie Eades

 Christine Ellis

 Sharon Minniecon

 Aunty Elizabeth Law

 Sarah-Jane Hollingsworth

Read more about the program here: www.deaconessministries.org.au/awimss

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