Recently ordained Rev Sue Robertson, with Bishop Mark Short, and husband Doug

Earlier this month, in a ceremony held at St Saviour’s Cathedral in Goulburn, Anglicare Chaplain Sue Robertson was officially ordained as a deacon in the Canberra and Goulburn Anglican Diocese.   

We had the opportunity to sit down with Rev Sue, to learn more about the journey that led her to this significant milestone, the challenges she has encountered along the way, and her vision for using her calling to further support Anglicare’s mission. Here are her thoughts:

What is the significance to you of becoming officially ordained? 

“Becoming officially ordained holds deep personal significance for me. I have lived my life in relationship with God, seeking intimacy with Him, and now He has called me to this point. Ordination as a Deacon is about mission and ministry—being called, gifted, and sent. This step in my journey feels like a culmination of years of service, accompanied by the authority and responsibility that come with it. Though I’ve always felt accountable to God, the title of Reverend brings a new level of responsibility and accountability. It’s a title I don’t take lightly, as the weight of this calling is now fully upon me.”

 What can you say about the journey that led you here? What moments or people were meaningful in this journey? 

“My journey has been long and challenging, often influenced by a sense of unworthiness and imposter syndrome that has accompanied me throughout my calling. Some of the most significant moments have been when others saw potential in me and lifted me up to heights I felt undeserving of. One of my favourite books, Hinds’ Feet on High Places, beautifully captures that feeling. The people who have been most significant are those who recognized my potential, encouraged me to live fully, and inspired me to surrender all to God’s love and glory.”

 How do you plan to use your calling to support Anglicare’s mission? 

“Anglicare’s mission resonates deeply with my own passions and values. My calling to serve is inseparable from who I am. Through ordination, I have found my voice. Though I don’t easily embrace the concept of authority, which often brings to mind power imbalances, I understand that my voice and actions now carry weight. My authority comes from Jesus Christ, and it is through Him that I serve. I will continue serving to the best of my ability, by God’s grace, using my voice to advocate for the voiceless.” 

 Have you encountered any challenges in your ministry so far? 

“Time is my greatest challenge. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day, the week, or the year. There’s so much to be done and so many people to serve and love. The key to serving well, I’ve found, is understanding my limitations and learning to delegate where possible. Striking a balance is crucial so that everyone can experience life to the fullest.”

 What do you feel most passionate about in your ministry? 

“This question is difficult to answer because my passion is so intertwined with my faith and calling. But to offer an answer, I turn to the question of why I am Anglican. As a new convert, I am particularly passionate about the meaning of being part of the “One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.” The word “Catholic,” derived from Greek, means “universal” and “all-encompassing.” To me, this highlights the importance of inclusion. How can we claim to be inclusive if our actions contradict that? My passion lies in loving and including all people as Jesus shows us—not just those who love us in return, but also those whom society overlooks. I am passionate about embracing the voiceless and the powerless, loving humanity despite its flaws, and seeing people as they truly are, not defined by their actions.“