OUR STAFF
Clive Rodger
Interim Director
Clive Rodger has been Chair of the Board of Embracing Ministries for the last 4 years and is currently its Interim Director.
Clive has a deep passion for the work of EM. He is an economist by training heading a large Australia wide economic consultancy. He has held senior Board positions in both public and private companies as well as serving on many Boards of church organisations.
Clive undertook post graduate theological studies at Princeton in the mid 1990s with particular interest in the disadvantaged in society. He has lectured at St Mark’s.
Clive has been married to Lynlea for 54 years and has two boys and 4 grandchildren all living in Canberra.
Kelly Wood
Assistant Director
Kelly has had extensive lived experience as well as many years of supporting families impacted by disability. Being a lifelong carer herself, she identifies with the families that we look after and has areal drive to make a difference.
Kelly has management experience from her time in Banking where she was the Assistant Branch Manager for a smaller building society, as well as supporting other business owners through her own company. She also supports other Mums who have complex needs families get things sorted out, so life is not so overwhelming. Kelly is taking on the role of our Assistant Director – including the Programs Coordinator – managing the women’s events and overseeing the team putting together Little Treasures.
When Kelly is not hanging out with us at Embracing Ministries, she loves helping other businesses find their sweet spot, a good rerun of Grey’s Anatomy or having tea with friends.
Brianna Hayes Evans
Operations & Communication
Brianna support Embracing Ministries behind the scenes, bringing her skills and passion to all things administration and social media. She has been part of the ministry for two years, dedicating herself to fostering connection, inclusion, and support for families.
As a mother of three, including one child with additional needs, Brianna understands firsthand the importance of creating welcoming spaces. With a heart for the Embracing Ministries community and a keen eye for detail, she helps keep everything running smoothly, ensuring the ministry’s message of love and belonging reaches far and wide.
Hannah Newcombe
Youth Programs & Art Therapist
Hannah is an Art Therapist by trade and a Youth Programs creator by passion. She is deeply passionate about mental health, ensuring kids have fun, and most of all, her faith in Jesus. Hannah feels blessed to be joining the Embracing Ministries team, where she can use both her skills and passions to support and bring fun to the community.
A few things about Hannah:
- She has a husband named Zander.
- She enjoys creating messy abstract art that may not make sense to anyone else but brings her joy.
- She can’t look at a cow without saying “moo.”
- She is very attached to iced coffees.
If Art Therapy or Youth Programs sound like something for you or your family, stay connected with Embracing Ministries, reach out, and look for Hannah at EM events and on EM socials to see what’s happening and available to you and your family.
Lyndal Rogers
Pastoral Care & Education
Lyndal Rogers is privileged to work for Embracing Ministries as a pastoral carer one day per week. She has been a long-term volunteer at the Little Treasures program and family events.
Lyndal is available every Tuesday afternoon (and at various other times) for a chat. Her goal is to support parents, carers, and young people through deep listening and holistic care.
She can be reached by phone on 0481 003 105, where messages can be left to let her know how she can offer support.
On other days of the week, Lyndal works as a registered counsellor, CEIS teacher, and volunteer at Lanyon Valley Anglican Church.
Brent Smith
Men’s Programs
Brent has been married for 20 years and has two wonderful daughters. He is a pastor who loves music, cooking, sports, and spending time with family and friends.
Twelve years ago, Brent and his family experienced a major life shift when their youngest daughter was born with cerebral palsy. Navigating this journey brought many tough days and seasons, and while the adjustments weren’t easy, they have shaped his deep passion for supporting other fathers in similar situations.
For the past year, Brent has been running CHECKPOINT with Embracing Ministries, creating a space for dads to connect, share, and walk the rugged and adventurous road of fatherhood with children who have additional needs. Through CHECKPOINT, he hopes to offer friendly support, encouragement, and a sense of brotherhood to other men on this journey.
Andy Gordon
Family Gatherings
Andy Gordon is the Foundation Principal of Stromlo Forest Anglican College and a passionate advocate for education as an apprenticeship for life. With extensive leadership experience in schools like Radford College and John Paul College, he is committed to creating inclusive opportunities for children and families from early learning through to post-school transitions.
A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Andy serves on the boards of Embracing Ministries and Abilities Unlimited Australia, two not-for-profits dedicated to supporting young people and their families. His recent MBA further enhances his leadership and vision for fostering meaningful community connections.
With his passion for inclusion, fun, and faith, Andy is well-suited to lead Embracing Ministries’ Family Gatherings. He is dedicated to creating welcoming spaces where families especially those with children with disabilities can come together in a joyful, Messy Church-style environment filled with petting zoos, magicians, bubbles, and more.
A devoted husband, father, and active member of Gungahlin Anglican Church, Andy believes that the ultimate human experience—and expression of Christian faith—is striving to become as close as possible to love.
OUR BOARD MEMBERS
Clive Rodger
Board Chair
Clive Rodger has been Chair of the Board of Embracing Ministries for the last 4 years and is currently its Interim Director.
Clive has a deep passion for the work of EM. He is an economist by training heading a large Australia wide economic consultancy. He has held senior Board positions in both public and private companies as well as serving on many Boards of church organisations.
Clive undertook post graduate theological studies at Princeton in the mid 1990s with particular interest in the disadvantaged in society. He has lectured at St Mark’s.
Clive has been married to Lynlea for 54 years and has two boys and 4 grandchildren all living in Canberra.
Christopher Wood
Treasurer
Christopher is Embracing Ministries Treasurer. Christopher is a double degree and CPA qualified accountant with extensive experience in NFP management and governance. Christopher has been Treasurer for eight years and is currently the longest serving Board Member.
Christopher committed to Embracing Ministries and loves it for three reasons.
1. Christopher has two children with complex needs and so understands the importance of providing loving and compassionate care to this part of the community.
2. Embracing Ministries was the only place in the Canberra community that adapted the story of Jesus Christ to share with people with complex needs
3. Christopher recognised there was a need with Embracing Ministries for his unique administration gifting.
Christopher enjoys Marvel and during the AFL season can be heard cheer cheering for the Sydney Swans. Christopher enjoys running for exercise and participates in a number of running festivals. Christopher and Kelly hark from Western Sydney, got married in 2000 (easy to keep count) and moved to Canberra in 2007. Now they manage two teenagers with complex needs and a cat. Wednesday nights Christopher joins Band of Brothers (BOB) for worship and a message from the bible and currently attends St James Anglican in Holt.
Dalanglin Dkhar
On Leave - Currently Serving on Taskforce
Dalang has been the parent representative on the board of Embracing Ministries since 2021. She is fully immersed in the disability community as a full-time carer and disability advocate for her son since 2012. She is currently completing her PhD research on the lived experience of carers. Carer advocacy is something she is passionate about and speaks at academic and community events on the topics. Prior to being her son’s carer, Dalang was employed as Producer of Wesley Mission Television & Corporate Communications in Sydney.
Dalang is passionate about Embracing Ministries because it supports the community of families living with disabilities in a holistic way with programs and services for young people with disabilities, their siblings as well as their mum and dad. She is also a fervent believer that inclusion is not about bringing people with disabilities and their families to the table, but to build a new table together.
Hailing from Northeast India, Dalang presently lives in Canberra with her son, her husband, Patrick, and Sheldon – the English Cocker Spaniel that rules the house.
Andy Gordon
Board Member
Andy Gordon is a dedicated Board Member of Embracing Ministries and a passionate advocate for inclusive communities that honour the dignity and potential of every individual. As the Founding Principal of Stromlo Forest Anglican School, Andy brings a wealth of educational leadership experience and a deep commitment to values-driven service.
His long-standing passion for supporting people with disability is at the heart of his work with Embracing Ministries. Andy is devoted to helping create spaces where children and young people of all abilities are welcomed, supported, and empowered to flourish. His insight, compassion, and strategic thinking make him a valuable contributor to the mission of Embracing Ministries: building a more inclusive and Christ-centred community.
Revd Philip Rademaker
Board Member
Phil is on the board as an ordinary member and joined late 2024.
Phil has lifelong experience with disability and has an interest in seeing the church become a more inclusive place for people with disabilities. In particular, Phil wants to encourage the church to see people with disabilities not just as those who need care, but also as fellow ministers.
Phil loves how Embracing Ministries brings together different parts of the church and opens up new conversations.
Phil is the Rector of Christ Church Hawker. He is married to Laura and they have 3 children. In his spare time, Phil likes to read Australian fiction and play Dad Rock in a band full of Dads.
Revd Dr Wayne Brighton
Board Member
Rev Dr Wayne Brighton has had a long experience with Embracing Ministries having been the Archdeacon oversighting its work when Andrea was Director. Wayne is Rector of Holy Covenant Jamison and from 2015 to 2021 was Archdeacon for Chaplaincy. He has led Basement Ministries, lectured at St Marks and been a member of General Synod Commission on Ministry and Mission. Wayne Chairs the Public Issues Commission of the Diocese and is currently a member of Bishop in Council. Wayne holds an BA Hons a Master in Theology from Regent College and a PhD from CSU. Wayne is strongly committed to the vision of Embracing Ministries.
Revd Dr Bili Malek
Board Member
Revd Dr Bili Malek is Assistant Priest at Holy Covenant and Visiting Medical Officer at Queanbeyan Hospital. Bili has extensive experience specializing in aged care and palliative medicine. She retains membership of the Royal College of Physicians and fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Bili holds a Honorary Senior Lecturer position at ANU Medical School within the Rural Clinical School. She holds an MA in Theology with Distinction from St Marks through CSU as well as an Associate Fellowship of Higher Education. Bili was ordained a priest in 2024 She and her husband have an adult daughter with disability.
TASK FORCE
Roger Beale AO
Task Force Chair
Roger has lived with paralysis of the legs since 1948 as a result of polio and has been an advocate for people with disabilities particularly those over 65 who are unable to access NDIS and don’t get adequate support through Aged Care. He uses a wheelchair.
As a young man and even more recently he has had bruising relationships with the Church over physical access, the linking of disability with sin and inappropriate offers of healing through faith – he never wants anyone else to go through that. For Roger Embracing Ministries is about ensuring that doesn’t happen to the current generation of people with disabilities or their carers.
Roger had a long career as a senior public servant, consultant and company director. He is an artist and lives in a loving relationship with his wife of 55 years, Venetia. They have two boys in their 40s who are married and live in Canberra, with two young grandchildren.
Clive Rodger
Task Force Executive
Clive Rodger has been Chair of the Board of Embracing Ministries for the last 4 years and is currently its Interim Director.
Clive has a deep passion for the work of Embracing Ministries. He is an economist by
training heading a large Australia wide economic consultancy. He has held senior Board
positions in both public and private companies as well as serving on many Boards of church organisations.
Clive undertook post graduate theological studies at Princeton in the mid 1990s with
particular interest in the disadvantaged in society. He has lectured at St Mark’s.
Clive has been married to Lynlea for 54 years and has two boys and 4 grandchildren all
living in Canberra.
Rev Philip Rademaker
Task Force Executive
Phil is also on the board of Embracing Ministries as an ordinary member and joined late 2024.
Phil has lifelong experience with disability and has an interest in seeing the church become a more inclusive place for people with disabilities. In particular, Phil wants to encourage the
church to see people with disabilities not just as those who need care, but also as fellow
ministers. Phil loves how Embracing Ministries brings together different parts of the church and opens up new conversations.
Phil is the Rector of Christ Church Hawker. He is married to Laura and they have 3 children.
In his spare time, Phil likes to read Australian fiction and play Dad Rock in a band full of
Dads.
Dalangin Dkar
Parent Representative
Dalang has been the parent representative on the board of Embracing Ministries since 2021.
She is fully immersed in the disability community as a full-time carer and disability advocate for her son since 2012. She is currently completing her PhD research on the lived experience of carers. Carer advocacy is something she is passionate about and speaks at academic and community events on the topics. Prior to being her son’s carer, Dalang was employed as Producer of Wesley Mission Television & Corporate Communications in Sydney.
Dalang is passionate about Embracing Ministries because it supports the community of
families living with disabilities in a holistic way with programs and services for young people with disabilities, their siblings as well as their mum and dad. She is also a fervent believer that inclusion is not about bringing people with disabilities and their families to the table, but to build a new table together.
Hailing from Northeast India, Dalang presently lives in Canberra with her son, her husband, Patrick, and Sheldon – the English Cocker Spaniel that rules the house.
The Venerable EM Anne Ranse OAM
Task Force
Archdeacon Anne Ranse OAM has dedicated her life to ministry and community service
since her ordination in 1998 at St Saviour’s Cathedral, Goulburn. Coming from a family with
a long line of clergy, Anne has a particular passion for supporting the elderly and isolated.
Early in her ministry, she became chaplain at Ginninderra Gardens Nursing Home, where
she successfully advocated for the creation of an on-site chapel, the “Chapel of the Good
Shepherd.”
In 2001, Anne was appointed Archdeacon to the Diaconate, nurturing and encouraging the
ministry of deacons across the diocese. She also contributed to the Episcopal Task Force for
Older People, shaping church policy on elder care. At Holy Covenant, Jamison, she currently
leads holistic day-hospice programs for people with life-limiting illnesses and facilitates
inclusive ministries such as Noah’s Ark Pet Ministry and Colours of God. Anne continues to
offer pastoral care and weekly reflections, and was awarded an OAM for her outstanding
service.
Dr Winifred Lamb
Associate Member (as available)
Winifred is an associate member of the Taskforce. She is married to John who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s nearly 3 years ago. Her own father was similarly diagnosed, also later in his life. As John’s carer, Winifred’s experience of the condition has enabled her to identify closely with the purpose of the Taskforce, as well as with the challenge of
paradigmatic shifts necessary in the practice and mindset of the diocese in “engaging a
world of difference with the love and truth of Jesus.”
Embracing Ministries represents for her the commitment to that paradigmatic shift for all persons with disability. Where dementia is concerned, given our ‘hypercognitive’ view of the human capacity for learning, Winifred believes that we need to appreciate what spiritual sustenance and ‘discipleship’ could mean for those with the condition. This is especially the case, given its progressive and terminal nature.
Winifred is a retired teacher of Philosophy and English. She was born in Hong Kong and has taught in Hong Kong, the UK and Australia. She and John are members of St John the
Baptist in Reid.
Linda Pascal
Secretariat
Linda attends St Alban’s Anglican church. She believes that all people are made in the
image of God with the same responsibilities to praise God, care for each other and the
planet. With Christ as our head we meet together as the church to worship him, and serve and encourage each other through our various gifts. She is happy to support the Taskforce
whose aim is to assist churches to become inclusive and hospitable places of belonging and discipleship for people with disability.
Linda’s career has focussed on equality and social justice. Before joining the public service,
she managed recreation and employment programs for young people with developmental
disabilities and autism. In the public service, she was mainly a director of social policy and
research and also worked in museum and heritage policy. In retirement, Linda is a volunteer archivist and social historian, researching and writing about Australian women artists and women in church history.