Vale Deaconess Margaret Rodgers

#903 for broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 8 Jun 2014.

A prominent figure in the Diocese of Sydney for more than 40 years, Deaconess Margaret Rodgers AM, has died.  Deaconess Rodgers suffered a heart attack and died on May 31.

Sydney Anglican Archbishop Glenn Davies described Ms Rodgers as “a scholar of significant intellect” and “for many years the leading laywoman of the Diocese of Sydney” as well as nationally and internationally.

Deaconess Rodgers was the Archbishop’s Media Officer until 2007, and was previously CEO of Anglican Media, served on the Social Issues Committee, Standing Committee, General Synod and other boards.  She succeeded Deaconess Mary Andrews as principal of Deaconess House from 1976 to 1985.

A regular columnist in the Southern Cross newspaper, Ms Rodgers provided Christian social commentary on 2CH over many years until passing on the baton to me in 2009.

A public Thanksgiving service is to be held at St Andrew’s Cathedral.  Vale Deaconess Margaret Rodgers.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.