The Reverend Sally Sandford-Morgan was commissioned on 8 February as the Priest in Charge of the Parish of Lockleys.
Archbishop of Adelaide the Most Reverend Geoff Smith presided over the service with a packed church of more than 200 with clergy from around the Diocese as well as parishioners from Sally’s previous parishes, Brighton and Walkerville, as well as St Peter’s Cathedral.
Guests from the community included the mayor of the City of West Torrens Michael Coxon, who welcomed Sally to the neighbourhood and stressed the importance of churches to his community. important
In his sermon, Archbishop Geoff urged all parishioners to share in the parish’s ministry.
“Tonight we are commissioning Sally to lead this parish with the lay leaders of the parish, in the ministry to which Christ calls this parish. Make no mistake Christ has called this parish community to share in his ministry. The ministry of the kingdom of God,” he said.
“As the hymn says: We do have a gospel to proclaim. The gospel is that the kingdom of God is coming and in the life death and resurrection of Jesus it has come very near. This is very good news for the whole creation.
“And we are called by Christ to keep making that future known to a community that really needs hope. It’s not that the lucky ones are going to get whooshed off somewhere far far away to heaven, but that God will bring a new creation to the earth. Heaven and earth will be joined. That’s very hopeful news and people need to hear it.
“We are called to do what Jesus did and make that future real now as much as we can.”
The service was followed by a lavish supper laid on by the parish, organised by Mary and Pat, to welcome Sally and her family.
In announcing the news of Sally’s commissioning, the parish newsletter acknowledged the choir as “inspirational” and thanked readers Pat, Alhea and Alex and symbol givers Cyni, Delia, Rosemary, Sue Ngozi and Monica for their part.
“It was amazing to see so many people from Sally’s previous parishes who attended to support her and us in this new venture of working together.”
