Reverend (Rev) Ian McGrath, Associate Priest of the Anglican Parish of South Brisbane since January 2015, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge, Parish of Rochedale. Ian’s commissioning date has not yet been determined. Prior to taking up his new appointment, Ian will finalize his ministry at St Andrew’s and take a short period of long service leave.
During his tenure at St Andrew’s, Ian has added much to the life and leadership of the church. Ian will be greatly missed by the many parishioners he has nurtured, supported or encouraged in their Christian walk. He has contributed significantly to services by leading worship, preaching and, from the onset of lockdowns in 2020, video-recording and livestreaming of Sunday morning services. For the last three years Ian has organised and chaired Parish Council meetings and churchwardens’ meetings.
Ian has been heavily involved in pastoral care, hospital visitation and follow-up of our people. He is always available for a coffee or a chat. Once a month, Ian hosts informal Friday evening men’s get-togethers at his home.
In keeping with his passion for evangelism and disciple-making, during his time at St Andrew’s Ian has taken many individuals, couples and small groups through Christianity Explained (a 6-week evangelism course) – in person or online. He introduced members of Parish Council to The Trellis and the Vine and The Vine Project (books by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne) and organised study and workshops on these themes, with the intention of re-shaping the ministry culture of St Andrew’s around disciple-making.
As part of his ministry at St Andrew’s Ian has prepared numerous couples for marriage, conducted many marriage ceremonies, and facilitated marriage enrichment seminars for married couples. He has been responsible for baptisms, and prepared adults, young adults and parents seeking infant baptism, for their own or their child’s baptism.
Given Ian’s interest in information and communication technology, it’s not surprising that he has been instrumental in updating the parish communication systems (phones, using SMS, emailing of weekly bulletins) and setting up Elvanto (a cloud-based church management system). For many years Ian managed the church website and the church’s social media platforms.
Since ordination, Ian has served in both parish ministry and mission work, in various locations in Queensland, northern New South Wales and South Australia:
Curate, St John’s Parish, Dalby – 18 months (December 1987 – June 1989)
Rector, Holy Trinity Anglican Parish, Bowen – 4½ years (July 1989 – December 1993)
Vicar, Parish of the Upper Clarence (Bonalbo) – 2 years (January 1994 – December 1995)
Priest-in-Charge, Roxby Downs Community Church, Roxby Downs – 5½ years (January 1996 – June 2001)
Vicar, All Saints Parish, Moree – 5½ years (June 2001 – December 2006)
Regional Officer, Bush Church Aid Society, Brisbane – 8 years (January 2007 – December 2014)
Associate Priest, St Andrew’s, Parish of South Brisbane – 7+ years (January 2015 – present).
Throughout his time at St Andrew’s, Ian has been more than ably supported and complemented by his wife, Glenda. Like Ian, Glenda will be greatly missed. Glenda has ministered to many folk here during the past seven years. Glenda has participated in services, helped with morning teas, offered hospitality and contributed to ministry activities (such as Conversational English). I know for sure that Ed Behrbohm (churchwarden) will miss Glenda’s regular attendance and assistance at monthly working bees!
The churchwardens of St Andrew’s are organising a suitable farewell event to thank Ian and Glenda for their faithful and untiring work in our parish and to send them off with our blessing. When Ian’s finishing date at St Andrew’s is decided, we will announce the date and details of the event.
