The Sydney Anglican Ministry Wives Retreat will be in the beautiful Blue Mountains this year, at the newly renovated CMS Conference Centre. Sandy Grant will teach us from the Bible as we consider Wisdom from the Potter and seek to grow in humility and contentment. Be refreshed in your relationship with Jesus and strengthened to persevere in ministry. Take time out to enjoy the bush, catching up with friends you rarely see or getting to know other ministry wives in a relaxed setting. Be encouraged, informed, challenged and equipped by the elective sessions (one Friday afternoon, another on Saturday morning), or take some extra time out if you prefer.

We'd love you to see you whether it's for part of the retreat or all of it. And for those able to get away on Thursday afternoon, an extra night will cost you only $60 more, including dinner and brekky! Enjoy unscheduled time with a smaller group of ministry wives before the retreat begins on Friday. Avoid the morning traffic and start Friday unhurried.

An early bird discount is available until July 14 for full-time registration; there is also an opportunity to donate some extra to help a sister who is struggling financially to be able to join us. If you need a subsidy, please contact ministrywives@sydney.anglican.asn.au.

Our retreat is designed for the wives of full-time Anglican ministers serving in the Sydney diocese, including Anglican para-church organisations. If that’s not your situation, or the situation of someone you would like to invite, please contact us.

Retreat program

Frequently Asked Questions

Guest speakerS SANDY & KARYN GRANt

“Sandy learnt to drive crossing the Harbour Bridge; Karyn learnt to drive on a tractor. Sandy went to Sydney Grammar; Karyn to Billabong High. Sandy is intellectually rigorous; Karyn has other intelligences. Sandy loves to run; Karyn does not. We delight in God using different kinds of gifts to accomplish his purposes (1 Cor 12:4-6). Praise be to him!”

Karyn and Sandy have been married for 32 years and have three adult daughters - only Maisy the Groodle is at home now. In ordained ministry for 30 years, Sandy is currently Dean of St Andrew’s Cathedral where Karyn serves alongside him, teaching Kids Church and SRE. Prior to the Cathedral, Sandy and Karyn were at St Michael’s, Wollongong for 17 years, at semi-rural Kurrajong and multi-cultural St John’s Park.

Sandy and Karyn regard themselves as ordinary servants of Christ, who have somehow managed to persevere through their weaknesses, by the grace of God. They look forward to encouraging ministry wives to keep on keeping on trusting Christ "in the Potter’s hands".

Read Cailey’s interview with Karyn

ELECTIVES

Electives 2024

Conflict and relationships - how do you respond?

Does unity mean no conflict? In this workshop, Lauren Errington will explore the idea that when unity is misunderstood, our tolerance for difference and conflict is reduced.

Building Marriage

Rowena Russell is trained in theology and counselling and loves to work hard to integrate the two. This interactive workshop will consider some patterns that occur in marriage and how one person can make transformative changes.

Loving your neighbours through English conversation classes

In this interactive session with Amelia Hohne, you will hear how God is working through Everyday English, and consider how Everyday English can be a vital part of your church’s mission.

Walking with women through the transition to parenthood

As a midwife, ministry wife and mother, Jodie McIver will help us explore the spiritual significance of women's experiences and how we can pastorally support women and couples becoming parents.