New Gunnedah residents Aiden and Jess Sibrava are enjoying Gunnedah’s skyline after living in Sydney for three years.
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The married couple arrived in Gunnedah on January 25 so Aiden could take up the newly vacated role of assistant minister for youth and young families at the Anglican Church.
Aiden graduated from Moore Theological College in November and this is his first full-time ministry position. He previously completed a two-year Ministry Training Strategy (MTS) traineeship with Central Evangelical Church in Canberra.
After Aiden was finished his theological study, he became part of the Anglican diocese of Armidale and was selected to replace Gunnedah’s former assistant minister Kurt Langmead who moved to Armidale in January.
“It’s a little bit like the army in that we initially didn’t know we’d end up in Gunnedah,” Aiden said.
During his time at Bible college Aiden completed placement at Oxley Vale Tamworth Church and said he enjoyed his time in the area.
“We actually realised we have visited Gunnedah before,” he said.
The assistant minister grew up in Cooma and met Jess when he moved to Canberra to do an industrial design degree at the University of Canberra. Jess was studying music at Australian National University after moving from her hometown of Aubury. She also completed a year at Moore college, which enabled her to “get a taste” for what Aiden was studying.
Jess will support Aiden in his role at the Anglican Church and may also apply for teaching work in local schools. She has a passion for singing and is thinking about conducting lessons.
“I’d really love to be involved in some ministries in the church,” she said.
Aiden will be working six days a week with plenty in his diary, including preaching in Gunnedah and Breeza, home communion, pastoral visitation, youth group leadership, scripture teaching, leading a young adults’ Bible study, guiding MTS trainee Matt Stones, and Chips and Chat initiative and scripture seminars at Gunnedah High School. He preached on Sunday for the first time.
“I’m looking forward to preaching and encouraging people from the word,” Aiden said.
The Sibravas have been welcomed with open arms by the church community, with numerous people giving them hampers and vouchers.
“People are really friendly and down to earth. We just felt really loved, actually,” Aiden said.
Jess said she has enjoyed exploring the area and getting to know new people.
“The people are as warm as the weather,” she said.