Tribute to Bishop Trevor and Ruth Edwards for all their work throughout the Diocese was given at the Synod Dinner on Saturday evening, with 140 synod members and guests attending.

The merriment began with Bishop Stephen’s jokes and continued during speeches from Tim McGhie and Mark Le Couteur from Wanniassa Parish, from Cliff Armitage representing the Synergy Board and David Holmesby on behalf of the Anglican Schools Commission acknowledging Ruth’s leadership and contribution, from Reverend David McLennan on behalf of the clergy and Reverend Dr Andrew Cameron, Director of St Mark’s National Theological Centre.

In the words of Bishop Trevor in response:

Ruth and I want to thank you so much for your kind gifts and messages of appreciation for our ministry in this Diocese over the past sixteen years which were given to us at the Synod Dinner last Saturday night at the Goulburn Workers Club …

So that those unable to attend on the night know what happened, we discovered that several people had been already primed to give speeches of appreciation for the ministries God has enabled us to do in your midst over these years. All the speeches were very insightful in different ways, and in particular it was a fun time for all of us to laugh together at some of my idiosyncrasies including my inability to stand still! We will always fondly remember both what was said and what happened on this occasion.

Bishop Mark also gave us beautiful gifts on your behalf and among them was a magnificent hardwood Document Box from the Bungendore Wood Works Gallery. It is constructed from West Australian Jarrah with a panel of PNG Rosewood in the lid, but better still it was already full of precious notes from the ministry units and agencies of the Diocese. We have now Synod Tribute to Bishop Trevor and Ruth had time to read them all and have been humbled and touched deeply by the personal nature of many of your messages. Thank you so much for taking the time to express your gratitude, and please convey our thanks to all who contributed. It is a joy to know that we have somehow enriched your journey with Christ because we too have been spiritually enriched by serving you.

With love and affection 
In Christ,
+Trevor