Lesa Scholl
13 October 2025
St Philip’s Collingwood deacon-in-charge the Reverend Bruce Everett describes himself as sitting back, watching, fascinated by what God is doing.
Mr Everett said he felt the fit in God’s plan when he received confirmation that he would be one of the ordinands priested in November.
Chatting after his service at Rushall Park retirement village, Mr Everett reflected on the energy and mission focus of his congregation there.
“There’s love here, and there’s love of neighbour, and that’s living out the mission, isn’t it?” he said.
He saw 88-year-old Margaret, making tea and coffee in the kitchen, as a powerful example of God at work.
Earlier this year Margaret was in palliative care.
“She recovered,” Mr Everett said. “She’s moving furniture around and serving today. That’s a miracle.”
Margaret’s zest for life was evident in her service, including volunteering to read during the service.
She became emotional when remembering her experience just a few months earlier and the care she received from Mr Everett during that time.
“He was always there,” she said, her eyes welling up with the memory.
Read more: ‘United in Jesus’: Alice Springs pastor
God making a way when there did not seem to be a way has marked Mr Everett’s ministry.
He came out of retirement to answer the call to ordained ministry, and was deaconed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We snuck into the cathedral during a period of freedom [to hold the ordination],” he said.
After becoming a Christian when his first child was born, Mr Everett went to Bible College so he could learn more about his faith.
He pursued a Master of Theology degree in corporate governance and practical theology, combining his executive world with workplace ministry.
Mr Everett said he was happy being a distinctive deacon and never saw himself as a parish priest, but the diocese asked him to be in charge of St Philip’s.
Because he cannot bless the sacrament as a deacon, they worked out a way for the parish to use reserve sacrament predominantly.
“Being in the role, being in that place with those people, it fit,” he said. “I can now see myself as a parish priest caring for souls.”
Read more: ‘Jesus is my life’: Iranian converts
The outward vision of the diaconate was still of the highest importance in Mr Everett’s ministry.
For him, ministry in aged care and work with soon to be released prisoners from the Judy Lazarus Centre were critical to living out Isaiah 61.
He said there were challenges, but also fabulous things happening as the parish lived out Jesus’ mission to proclaim freedom and declare the gospel to the poor and needy.
Mr Everett said he received encouragement in his ministry from his parishioners and the way they recognised they were part of a team caring for each other.
He teared up when he mentioned his mother having died three weeks prior, and the fact that she had been so proud of him.
The encouragement made him feel he was not alone.
“I’m carrying the responsibility lightly because I feel it’s God’s work and I’m assisting in it,” he said.
“It’s not all about Bruce. I had to learn to get out of the way and let God work. It’s living out our lives of faith in action.”
For more faith news, follow The Melbourne Anglican on Facebook, Instagram, or subscribe to our weekly emails.
