Rev Betty Matthews, the first person to be ordained as a deacon in the Uniting Church, will be celebrating 60 years since she was ‘set apart’ as a deaconess with the Presbyterian Church in 1954.
Betty’s ministry began welcoming new families into the Medina area in Perth’s southern suburbs and has since taken her all over Australia and the world to serve amongst the community. Since retiring, Betty’s ministry has continued as she is a long-term social justice advocate, especially in the areas of refugee rights and the rights of Indigenous people, which she has been involved within and beyond the church.
Her celebration will be held at 3pm on Sunday 9 February, at Foothills St Martin’s Uniting Church, 57 Hale Rd, Forrestfield. Betty requests that no gifts be given, however an opportunity will be provided for donations to the Coalition for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees (CARAD).
To RSVP contact Rev Alan Matthews on 9453 9996 or email betty.matthews@bigpond.com.