Our Rector

 

 

 

Fr. John Gumbley: a brief background.

 I was born in Sydney in 1969, and grew up in the suburb of Epping. I am one of three children. My mother still lives in Epping, Sydney, I have an older sister who is married and living in Rockhampton, and works for ‘Ergon Energy’ and a younger brother who is currently in Gladesville, Sydney and works with the IT Company ‘Pinpoint’. I enjoyed my schooling, and at age eleven, got my first leadership role when I was made captain of my primary school. I participated in many extracurricular activities. I was and still am a keen sportsman, and as a school boy played cricket, tennis and rugby. I have a great love of all types of music, but particularly classical. I trained three years with a Sydney Conservatorium singing teacher as a bass / baritone soloist. In high school I also took up interschool Chess, and sang in various choirs and musicals. My most formative point in my school days was the sudden death of my father when I was 17. I learnt much about grief, vulnerability and our shared mortality at that time.

I was confirmed in 1985 at St Alban’s Anglican Church in Epping, which I had attended all my life. I sang in the church choir for nine years, led the youth groups, was put on as a part-time youth worker in my parish, and sat on Parish Council.

I continued my education at Macquarie University in Sydney, where I completed an Arts Degree in Philosophy and Ancient History. During this time I linked in with the Anglican Franciscans: a religious community at Stroud in Newcastle Diocese, and spent six months living in community with them in the Newcastle Parish of Windale.

In 1992, aged 22, I approached a number of diocese concerning a vocation to the priesthood. I was accepted by Melbourne Diocese and trained at Trinity Theological College in Parkville from 1993-96. I took a part-time youth worker’s position in East Ivanhoe Parish to assist in paying my way for the first two years, and undertook ministry placements in the final two years at the Brotherhood of St Lawrence in Fitzroy, and Holy Advent, Armadale. I finished my Bachelor of Divinity with Honours and I completed my Master’s degree in biblical studies with Honours in 2006. I was ordained Deacon in February 1997, and ordained priest in December that same year.

My first parish as Curate was in Shepparton, in rural Victoria. I learnt much about country life, dairy farming, fruit and grain growing, and the ministry of presence to people living in more isolated parts of Victoria.

My second curacy was at St Paul’s, Ringwood. This was for me an effervescent and enjoyable community to belong to, with many challenges and much hard work and fun.

East Burwood Parish was my first appointment as Priest-in-charge. Over six years I kept up my keen interests in music, youth, sports, teaching, lay leadership and creativity in ministry. I have enjoyed pioneering new ideas and ministry initiatives, trying new things liturgically and recovering some ancient liturgical forms and practices and remoulding them for contemporary worship. I have enjoyed a successful and vibrant ministry at Ascension with many of the parishioners becoming like family to me. It will be difficult to leave.

However, I am eager for a new challenge and I believe that Terrigal will offer such an opportunity. I am keen to construct not only a building but a community that honours and glorifies God in worship, prayer and service. I will endeavour to listen to the wisdom and experience of those who have been engaged in the mission and ministry of the parish in the years before my arrival. I am excited by this opportunity and look forward to working and living amongst you as we begin this new ministry together.