On Sunday 19 December 2021, 4th Sunday of Advent, a special service was held in St Andrew’s Wamboin (part of the Sutton Road Mission District) to bid farewell to Len Goodman AO and Joyce Goodman OAM for their 36-year association with the combined congregations of St Peter’s Sutton and St Andrew’s Wamboin and Len’s service as a Lay Minister during those years.
Bishop Mark Short and his wife Monica attended the service to farewell Len and Joyce. Bishop Mark presented Len with a framed Certificate of Appreciation acknowledging his ministry for more than 36 years in the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn. The Ven Dr Royce Thompson also presented Len with a framed Certificate of Appreciation from the congregation the Sutton Road Mission District for his long standing ministry and friendship to the members of the congregation.
Len, together with pastor Royce, helped in the preparation of the service and chose the hymns that have been a meaningful part of his spiritual journey.
At the conclusion of the service Len passed on his Lay Minister’s Scarf, presenting it and his Robe to Alan Rope. Alan has been chosen by the congregation of the Sutton Road Mission District to be the new Lay Minister.
After the service, the congregation met at Gai and Ian Donald’s home for a celebratory morning tea.
by Helen McCarthy
Sutton Road Mission District
Picture above: From left: Debbie Williams, Gai Donald, Helen McCarthy, Kaye Johnson. Robyn Robertson, Sue Thompson, Leatrice Beharden, Len Goodman AO, David McCarthy, Bishop Mark, Joyce Goodman, Eleanor Rope, Ven Dr Royce Thompson, James Long (Melbourne), Alan Rope, Tina Thompson, Val Deakin, Jo Thompson, Margaret Ferrett, Lee Guscott, Russ Ferrett, Adrienne Greenwood.
