Cherishing a legacy: how Rev. Jan Donohoo cares for retired ministry women
Before 1989, Anglican women ministering in the Sydney diocese were “set apart” as deaconesses— the lay order from which ADM’s name is derived. In 1989, that changed as trained women began to be ordained as deacons. There are no more deaconesses working in paid employment, though some still serve as they can and pray faithfully. And now, we are seeing the first female deacons start to retire. Rev. Jan Donohoo was in that historic first cohort of female deacons, and since then, she’s served in various ministry across the Diocese. All the diversity of her experiences have prepared her well for her current role: ADM Chaplain to the deaconesses and retired female clergy.
