The Sydney Anglican Ministry Wives Retreat will again be in the beautiful Blue Mountains this year, at the renovated CMS Conference Centre. 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 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.
Are there other ministry wives you can invite? If you want to room with someone in particular, invite them to come! Parking is very limited so it would be great to travel with others. If you need a lift or can offer a lift, please indicate at registration or email us (ministrywives@sydney.anglican.asn.au).
An early bird discount is available until July 5 for full-time registration. There is also an option to donate some extra to help a Ugandan sister get to the conference for clergy wives in the very poor diocese of Lango. We don’t want financial hardship to stop anyone from coming to our retreat either, so please let us know if a subsidy would help you to come. Contact us at 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
Guest speaker
claire smith
“I’m excited that we’ll have the opportunity to consider three invitations of Jesus from Matthew’s Gospel. Instead of seeing what the Bible says about a big theme or topic, these invitations take us into the Gospel account to reflect on why and how we love Jesus, and how his love and presence make a difference in our daily lives, our marriages and families, our work, and ministries. Whether life is easy sailing or weary and heavy-laden, these invitations from Jesus offer us great hope.”
Claire met and married her husband Rob while they were at Moore College in the 1990s. She has since served alongside Rob at St Ives, Mosman, and St Andrew’s Cathedral. They currently attend Naremburn-Cammeray Anglican Church. They have an adult son, who lives in London. Claire is an author and women’s Bible teacher. Her favourite things are Beethoven, live music, the beach, and walking.
friday night seminar
margie gillham
Margie will encourage us to think about our own self-care and how that fits into an understanding of God's love for us, and our love and service of others. Drawing on lessons learned by CMS in their long history of missionary care, we will explore implications that will help us thrive in changing seasons of life and ministry.
Margie has worked for CMS NSW-ACT in missionary recruitment and pastoral care. Together with her husband Simon and their two children, Margie spent 8 years serving with CMS in Namibia. Prior to this they were part of planting Maitland Evangelical Church in 2002. They returned from Namibia for Simon to take up a role at Moore College, but plan to return to the mission field in 2027.
venue
cms Conference centre
8 Violet Street Katoomba