Anglican Deacon appointed to Bridgetown

The Reverend David Bardsley and his wife Hilary planned a retirement move to Bridgetown in 2007. After building a house in town their plans changed when they were offered a ministry in Roleystone. Then in 2012, after five years of service they moved back to Bridgetown permanently.

David’s story is quite interesting; David Bardsley came to Christian Ministry late in his life, some thirty years ago when he trained at a Theological College in the United Kingdom before moving to Australia.

David explains his experiences since becoming a minister, “I have served in a variety of churches and ministries, some full time, some part time and some on a voluntary basis.

“There have been independent churches, Church of Christ and several Anglican fellowships. Throughout I have been privileged to cross denominational boundaries in several different capacities including managing a non-denominational retreat centre in Hong Kong for a while.

“I’ve had the vision to draw people together from within the different Christian Churches. This ideal has been really important for both me and my wife.

“My wife Hilary is my most important partner with this endearvour. She shares the same vision and is invaluable with her contributions, particularly in her prayer ministry. I can’t say she supports me as such, because we walk this path together, in step so to speak, supporting each other as we go.

“Retiring and being free from day-to-day responsibilities of ministering has given me the opportunity to serve within all the churches in the community where we live, bringing my vision to fruition.

“I approached all the church leaders in town offering my services, effectively ignoring denominational boundaries. The net result is that we have been welcomed into all the churches in Bridgetown.

“When I approached Rev Karon Austin at St Paul’s with my idea, a couple of years before she retired, she welcomed me with open arms, but first she had to refer to the Anglican Bishop of Bunbury.

“As it turned out Ian Coutts, the Rt. Rev Bishop of Bunbury was also delighted to hear that I would like to support the Parish work here as well as working with the other churches but he said I would have to be ordained to be of most practical assistance.

“This than started me off on a journey of formation in preparation for ordination as an Anglican priest, but with a specific view to the ecumenical agenda and a support ministry rather than an individual parish responsibility.

“The Ordination Council which reviews candidates, endorsed the ecumenical agenda as an integral aspect of their approval.

The Ecumenical agenda is unity within diversity, the Ecumenical Movement seeks to promote a type of unity, a Christian unity.

“This means that I will not be taking on the parish responsibility at St Paul’s, but will strongly support whomever succeeds Rev Karon Austin.

“I will also be likely to serve as a locum throughout the Diocese as well as continuing to support the other Churches in Bridgetown.”

David leads services once a month at the Uniting Church and joins in with the St Brigid’s congregation on a regular basis and plays the piano during Mass occasionally.

David and Hilary have also helped with quite a few ‘Churches Together’ events over the last ten years: many in the community will be familiar with Songs of Praise, Christmas celebrations and the Good Friday Way of the Cross.

The Anglican Bishop of Bunbury, Rt. Rev Bishop Ian Coutts, is scheduled to ordain David as Priest at a service at 11am on Friday 6th October at the Anglican Cathedral of St Boniface in Bunbury.

David welcomes everyone to attend his ordination, “All are welcome to join us on that occasion and it would be lovely to see folks from our community there.

“One of the things which really excites me is the response when we do run joint events as Churches Together. There is an incredible sense of fellowship amongst people from the different congregations and whilst I am quite bemused as to how it will all work out, I’m sure there is the opportunity for something special to emerge here in Bridgetown.

“We are all blessed to live in this beautiful part of the world, Hilary and I have both found Bridgetown to be a friendly, welcoming community unlike any other.”

David and Hilary are contributors to what makes our community special by being part of several different community activities; Jubilee Singers, Bridgetown Greenbushes Suicide Prevention Network, Up Close and Musical Concert, Cidery open mic, Carols by Candlelight and the Bridgetown Repertory Theatre.