Though formally retired, Pr. Alex Currie is defying all stereotypes by pushing on with as much gusto as he did before retirement.  And it’s not just his employers and colleagues that are grateful.  He expressed he is “grateful that even in his retirement, his skills have been appreciated.”

Prior to accepting his current role as Chaplain at Sydney Adventist Hospital, Pr. Currie spent over ten years in the Greater Sydney Conference (GSC), holding roles, such as pastor of Kellyville and Thornleigh Churches.  Most recently, he served as Director of Family Ministries and Manager of Adventist Counselling Services (a position he transitioned to Paul Bogacs and then to Claire Marsh).

In recounting his work for Counselling Services, he says, “I’m excited about the families we’ve built.  Many who were separated have been put back together.”  And it’s this notion of unity that has served Pr. Currie well. 

One of the highlights from his time in Family Ministries was his collaborative effort with Trafford Fischer, South Pacific Division Family Ministries Leader.  Together they wrote a course on family life that included 10 modules with instructor and participant materials.

In addition to his work at the Conference, Pr. Currie is active in mission service.  In 2013, he went to the mission field three times – first to Rotuma, where they held their first campmeeting in quite awhile and where he was made honourary chief, then to Fiji and then on to the Solomon Islands.

In speaking about his time at Greater Sydney Conference, he said, “I’m sad to be leaving.  It was a great team to work with, a strong team, especially under Michael Worker’s leadership. This place was home in many respects because you build relationships with people.  There is now the new challenge of creating new teams in another Adventist environment.” 

Greater Sydney Conference is happy to have Claire Marsh on board as the manager of Adventist Counselling Services.  Claire is a registered psychologist with extensive experience working in Centrelink and Corrective Services in various areas of Sydney.  Additionally, she has worked part-time as the school counsellor at Macarthur Adventist College.

Family Ministries is now being added to Pr. Cheonneth Strickland’s portfolio, allowing children, youth and family ministries to be under the same umbrella.  As a result, a volunteer is coming on board to provide assistance in the department.

Adventist Counselling Services (ACS) is a professional and confidential service that offers support in times of loss & grief, anxiety, depression, trauma & abuse, separation & divorce, family conflicts, mediation and pre-marital counselling.   ACS operates on a sliding scale, which is income dependent and is committed to providing a professional counselling service that is affordable to all.

For more information about Adventist Counselling Services, please e-mail acsmanager [at} adventist.org.au or call 02 8876 5238.