Introduction to the community
Founded by Emily Ayckbowm in 1870, the Community of the Sisters of the Church is an international body of lay and ordained women within the Anglican Communion. We are seeking to be faithful to the gospel values of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, and to the traditions of Religious Life while exploring new ways of expressing them and of living community life and ministry today. By our worship, ministry and life in community, we desire to be channels of the reconciling love and acceptance of Christ, to acknowledge the dignity of every person, and to enable others to encounter the living God whom we seek.
The Community’s patrons, St Michael and the Angels, point us to a life both of worship and active ministry, of mingled adoration and action. Our name, Sisters of the Church, reminds us that our particular dedication is to the mystery of the Church as the Body of Christ in the world.
Each house has its own timetable of corporate worship. The Eucharist and Divine Office (usually fourfold) are the heart of our Community life.
Community houses provide different expressions of our life and ministry in inner city, suburban, coastal town and village settings.
Contact details
Addresses of houses:
Tetete ni Kolivuti, Box 510, Honiara
Patteson House, Box 510, Honiara
Tel: 677 22413 & 677 27582
PO Box 7, Auki, Malaita
Tel: 677 40423
St Gabriel’s, c/o Hanuato’o Diocese, Kira Kira, Makira/Ulawa Province
Fax: 677 50128
Mobile: 7553947
St Mary’s, Luesalo, Diocese of Temotu, Santa Cruz
Mobile phone: 7440081
St Scholastica’s House, PO Box 510, Honiara
Sisters of the Church, Henderson, PO Box 510, Honiara
Community information
Bishop Visitor: Rt Revd Nathan Tome, Bishop of Guadalcanal
Publications
A Valiant Victorian: The Life and Times of Mother Emily Ayckbowm 1836-1900 of the Community of the Sisters of the Church, Mowbray, London, 1964.
Ann M Baldwin CSC, Now is the Time: a brief survey of the life and times of the Community of the Sisters of the Church, CSC, 2005.
Third Order, Fellowship, Associates
Associates are men and women who seek to live the Gospel values of Simplicity, Chastity and Obedience within their own circumstances. Each creates his/her own Rule of Life and has a Link Sister or Link House. They are united in spirit with CSC in its life of worship and service, fostering a mutually enriching bond.
Leadership
Mother Superior: Sister Susan Hird CSC, UK Province assumed office: December 2023
Provincial: Veronica Vasethe CSC
Assumed office March 2017
Assistant Provincial: Emily Mary Ikai CSC
Membership
Anneth Kagoa
Beglyn Tiri
Caroline Havideni
Catherine Maeta
Catherine Tawai
Daisy Gaoka
Doreen Awaisi
Joanna
Kristy Arofa
Lilian Mary Manedika
Marolyn
Mary Gladys Nuanga
Mary Kami
Merilyn
Neslyn Elonoda
Noelyn
Phyllis Sau
Rachel Teku
Rita Zimae
Rosa Catherine Paherikeni
Ruth Hope Sosoke
Shirley Hugo
Sophie
Sylvia
Yvon
4 Dec 2017 – Kathleen Kapei, aged 45, professed 15 years