On the 5 December 2023, I was privileged to attend the service at which Reverend Gillian Moses and Reverend Jan Crombie took their Life Vows in the Sisters’ Chapel, Lapraik Street, Ascot. It was an inspiring service with Sister Carol Tanner from CHN giving an insightful sermon.

Sister Gillian and Sister Sandra will remain Professed Sisters of SSA. Sister Gillian, Rev Jan, and Rev Gillian are the co-leaders of SSA in a new model of shared leadership. The Sisters made the decision to explore the possibility of opening SSA to a group of new women. As Sister Carol said in her sermon, ‘The Sisters of SSA have a vision for their community to move forward in a new direction and it means taking risks, dying to some of the old ways but never letting go of the reason they began, their charism’.

At a Chapter meeting, Mother Eunice, Sister Sandra, and Sister Gillian voted in the presence of Bishop Murray to go forward in a new direction of a Dispersed Community in 2019, to engage with women who feel they would like to be part of the SSA. Reverend Gillian Moses and Reverend Jan Crombie are ordained, married, and live in their homes in the Brisbane community. The new category of membership “Vowed Members” was created solely for women; the other category, for men and women, is “Companions”.  Both adhere to a Rule of Life. Vowed Members are part of the governance of the SSA.

The SSA offers a monthly Eucharist, the first Sunday of the month at 4pm, in the Sisters’ Chapel, 34 Lapraik Street, Ascot, which is located within Margaret’s school grounds. Prior to worship, about 3.15pm, hospitality is offered in the Hermitage below the Chapel, where people can catch up on SSA happenings and friendships. All are welcome. This is public worship – please feel invited to come along for an afternoon of hospitality and refreshment, for body and soul. 

The SSA website will soon be updated with various offerings for 2024, including Quiet Days, a Retreat, creative spiritual workshops, and hospitality events. They hope to engage with more alumni from both SSA schools in their endeavours to create meaningful spiritual opportunities, particularly for women.

By Norma Tucker (’66)