Armidale Anglican Diocesean Bishop, Peter Brain, presided over his final service on Sunday evening to a packed St Peter’s Cathedral, bringing to a conclusion 12 years of leadership across the diocese.
New Bishop elect, Rick Lewers, will be consecrated on May 26 at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney and will take up his position as Bishop of the Armidale Anglican Diocese on May 30, 2012.
Peter and his wife Christine, married in 1973, meeting at a theological college. Following Peter’s Ordin-ation in 1974 they worked together in parishes in Sydney, Adelaide and Perth. They have four children and eight grand-children. In 2000, Peter became the Anglican Bishop of Armidale.
Bishop Peter Brain describes his time in Armidale as exciting and rewarding.
“Christine and I are going to really miss the beauty of this region, especially in the last few years; with all the rain we have had, it is looking stunning,” said the Bishop.
“I feel a great sense of loss and sadness as I leave the people that we have loved and had the privilege of serving.”
There have been many highlights during his time as Bishop in Armidale, however what stands out greatly, is the way that small parishes have continued to survive.
“Good numbers of young clergy family have come into those parishes to serve,” said the Bishop. “The greatest highlight, though, would have to have been back in 2005-2006 after the drought, to see the faithfulness of farmers.
“One man in particular I can remember saying “It has been tough but this drought has helped us because we were moving away from God.’. To see people like that pressing on and remaining faithful to God, in a drought, has been a terrific highlight.”
Peter and Christine have been setting up their very first house in Perth, which he describes as being a lot of fun.
Before moving to Perth, they will spend four weeks holidaying in New Zealand and, during that time, he will be speaking to a group of pastors and their wives in Nelson. From May through to July, he has a half-time ministership position lined up and after that, the future is unknown.
“We are trusting that God will open up further doors of ministry,” said the Bishop.
“I don’t want to stop ministering, I couldn’t do that; it’s in my bones and in my heart.”
Story: Jo Harrison
