A New Chapter: Rev’d Dr Josephine Inkpin Announces Retirement from Full-Time Ministry

In a deeply emotional moment at Pitt Street Uniting Church in Sydney, Anglican priest The Rev’d Dr Josephine Inkpin shared that she would be stepping down from her role as Minister in Placement and retiring from full-time licensed ministry in the Church, effective Sunday 2 February 2025. The announcement, made with quiet yet profound reflection, marked the end of an era in her long and influential ministry.

For Josephine, the decision to step away was not made lightly. After almost four years of ministry with Pitt Street Uniting, a time she describes as “extraordinarily rich and fruitful,” she acknowledged that the choice to step back was both personal and timely. Her journey, though full of moments of joy and growth, has been marked by a combination of family, health, and vocational pressures that have made it clear that the time has come to create space for new directions, both in her own life and in the life of the church.

“It’s time,” Josephine shared simply. “Between Penny and I, we’ve collectively spent over 80 years in licensed and ordained ministry across a wide range of settings, both here in Australia and overseas. We’ve been pioneers in challenging areas of life and ministry, building bridges, crossing boundaries, and often working on the margins. It’s been transformative work, but it also comes at a cost. We’ve given it our all, and now it’s time to pass the baton.”

The journey has also been shaped by a deeply personal transformation. 2025 will mark 10 years since Josephine began publicly coming out as a transgender woman, an experience she describes as both fraught and fabulous, particularly within the context of the ongoing ‘God versus the queers’ culture wars. As a queer faith leader, Josephine has found herself in the thick of these tensions, at times exhausted but also empowered by the journey. “It has been intense,” she said. “But it’s also been wonderfully empowering to live authentically, to reconcile my faith with my identity, and to be part of a wider movement for inclusion and justice.”

Looking ahead, Josephine is eager to take the sabbatical she had planned but was forced to postpone due to the pandemic and the demands of ministry. “It’s been a long time coming,” she said. “I’m looking forward to some well-deserved rest and reflection, as well as catching up on some long-delayed writing. Penny and I also have plans to continue our work of support, resourcing, and inspiration, as well as spending more time with our grandchildren.”

In choosing to conclude her full-time ministry at Candlemas, the Christian festival that marks the turning of the seasons, Josephine reflects on the symbolic resonance of letting go at a time when, as she puts it, “we recall two figures – an ageing priest and a female prophet – who, having seen the light and promise of the future, are ready to pass the baton on.” It seems an appropriate way to conclude this chapter of her ministry, which has been both transformative and challenging.

As she prepares for the next phase of her life, Josephine remains committed to supporting and walking alongside others in their own faith journeys. She and Penny look forward to continuing their ministry in new and different ways, including celebrating a blessed Christmas and New Year with those they cherish.

Josephine’s legacy at Pitt Street Uniting Church and in the wider faith community is one of boundary-breaking leadership, profound courage, and an unwavering commitment to inclusion and justice. Her ministry has inspired many, and her decision to step back comes with the knowledge that, as she puts it, “we’ve left everything on the field.”

As Josephine and Penny prepare to step away from full-time ministry, they offer prayers for the church, its future leaders, and all those who have journeyed with them along the way. For those who have been touched by their work, their legacy will live on, inspiring others to continue the work of building bridges, crossing boundaries, and offering hope in an often fractured world.

May God bless Josephine and Penny abundantly, guiding them in this exciting new season of life with peace, joy, and a purpose that refuses to retire! May their hearts remain overflowing with the love they’ve so freely shared, and may they continue to shine brightly, lighting up the path for all who cross their way. After all, retirement might change the job description, but it certainly won’t dim the light they carry!

About Rev’d Dr Josephine Inkpin

The Rev’d Dr Josephine Inkpin brings over three decades of ministry experience across diverse contexts both in Australia and internationally. Originally from England, she has spent the past 19 years in Australia, where she currently serves as Minister at Pitt Street Uniting Church in Sydney. Recognised as the first openly transgender minister to be inducted into a mainstream church in Australia, Josephine has been a pioneering figure in advocating for inclusion and justice within the Church. She is also the Chair of Equal Voices Ltd, an organisation dedicated to advancing the rights and inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in faith communities, and a lecturer in Queer Theology at Pilgrim Theological College.

Josephine has a PhD in Church History from Durham University and two first-class degrees from Oxford University. Her ministry has focused on issues of human difference, including inter-faith dialogue, reconciliation, and the intersections of sexuality, gender, and faith. She is passionate about ecological spirituality and the role of the Church in addressing contemporary challenges. Alongside her theological work, she has been involved in education, advocacy, and inter-religious dialogue.

About Rev’d Penny Jones

Rev’d Penny Jones has had a distinguished career in both ministry and education. Formerly the Director of Formation at Anglican St Francis College, Milton, and Priest-in-Charge of The Parish of Auchenflower-Milton, Penny holds Masters degrees in English Literature and Theology from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford. She is also a qualified dance and drama teacher, spiritual director, and facilitator of Interplay and labyrinth work.

Penny’s ministry is characterised by a deep interest in the intersection between spirituality and the body, and she has a particular focus on embodied practices that help people connect more deeply with their spirituality. Her work as a spiritual guide, educator, and innovator has been transformative for many, and she continues to inspire and support others in their faith journeys. Together with Josephine, Penny remains dedicated to resourcing and encouraging those who seek a more inclusive and transformative path in their spiritual lives.

Photo: Rev’d Penny Jones & Rev’d Dr Josephine Inkpin