Reverend Bruce McAteer celebrated his 50th anniversary of being a Deacon on 15 December 2023. He shares with us the highlights of his journey, from Newcastle to Sydney and, eventually, the Central Coast.
My journey in ordained ministry began when I discerned a call whilst living in Sydney.
I was accepted as a candidate for the Diocese of Newcastle in 1971 and commenced at St. John’s College Morpeth in 1972.
I was ordained Deacon in December 1973 to serve this role in college.
During 1974 I was also an Honorary Deacon in the Parish of Morpeth. I served curacies in the Parish of Taree (1975-1978) and the Parish of Cessnock (1978-1979), and I was Rector of the Parish of Wyoming (1979-1987).
In July 1979, I was appointed as Rector of the Parish of Casino in the Diocese of Grafton and, in 1989, I accepted the position of Diocesan Registrar/General Manager.
I served in this capacity until 2004 when I was appointed as the General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Australia.
In 2008, I moved to the Parish of St. Luke, Mosman, in the Diocese of Sydney, from which I retired in 2014.
Since retiring and moving to Kincumber, on the Central Coast, I have become a member of the Parish of Terrigal and I assist as an Honorary Associate Priest when required.
I have also undertaken a number of locums in both the Diocese of Grafton and Newcastle.
Some of the highlights of my time as a Deacon were being able to work with the late Canon Robert Mawson and to minister each weekend and in college holidays within the Parish of Morpeth.
I enjoyed conducting services in the various centres of the parish and interacting with some wonderful Anglicans. I learnt that the ‘servant ministry’ role of the Deacon is the basis for all ministry.
