Dear Members of the Diocesan Family, 

Australia Day:

Across the Diocese this day is known by a number of names.  Some of our people refer to this day as Invasion Day, others as Survival Day or Day of Mourning and from 2006 this day has been referred to as The Aboriginal Sovereignty Day.   

This year Townsville hosted the Raising of the Flag Ceremony for Queensland at the Jezzine Barracks.  Aunty Angie Akee, a Bindal lady, spoke and she said it was important to move on from seeing Australia Day as Invasion Day to Reconciliation Day, where reconciliation is a continuing process. Also many people were able to come to this country and make a new start, develop a new life.  The press often contains stories of people who came to this country with only a suitcase and how they have been blessed because they made the most of every opportunity.  Last June, I did refer to one such person, the then new Governor of South Australia, His Excellency, Hieu Van Le AO.

We live in a great and diverse nation.  We have much to learn from each other and the process of reconciliation must continue. 

On this day people become Australian citizens.  In fact 16,000 people became Australian citizens on the 26th January this year. To all who took up citizenship, congratulations, and please be assured of our prayers.

Also on this day, people are honoured for their services to our country or to their community.  I know many parishioners across the Diocese had been nominated for various local awards.  Being nominated is a great achievement in itself.  As a couple of people have mentioned to me, any award is for the community organisation to which they belong. 

We congratulate Mr David Glasgow, a former Chancellor of the Diocese, on being awarded an AM. 

A former Brigadier here in Townsville, now Major General Stuart Smith, was awarded the AO.

Ms Anne Hywood - New General Secretary to General Synod:

We welcome Anne to her new position as General Secretary to General Synod.  I have written to Anne and assured her of the prayers of the North Queensland Diocesan family.

Anne takes up her new position on the 9th February. 

We give thanks for the support that the former General Secretary, Mr Martin Drevikovsky gave to the Diocese and his ministry to the National Church.

Clergy Retreat:

I thank The Reverend Canon Ian McAlister for leading the retreat.  The talks were stimulating and challenging.

I thank the clergy who made the effort to be present.  I know it was very hot and humid at times and it was a little uncomfortable, but it was good to gather together as ordained people. 

At the start of each address and at the close of each address, Canon McAlister, used the following simple but profound prayer:

Open our ears to hear you;

Open our hearts to receive you;

Open our minds to understand you;

Open our hands to serve you. 

Prayers:

The Reverend Dr Wayne Melrose has to undergo surgery at the end of next month for a knee replacement.  Wayne will require surgery on this other knee at a later stage. 

The Reverend Vic Hall underwent surgery for a knee replacement last Thursday.  From all reports Vic is doing very well.

On Sunday, The Reverend Chris Yule was admitted to hospital.  Chris will be in hospital for about three weeks.  We assure Chris of our prayers for a speedy recovery. 

Our Registrar, The Reverend Greg Lynham has had a health challenge and we rejoice that his health has now greatly improved.

We rejoice that Mrs Irene Pritchard has full time care now and we continue to pray for The Reverend Des Pritchard as he finalises the sale of his property and moves to a new home.

Please pray for these people and those you know who are unwell and/or undergoing treatment.

Congratulations:

There are a number of clergy who were ordained on the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. (2nd February).  We particularly congratulate The Dean, The Very Reverend Rod MacDonald on the fortieth anniversary of his priesting.  We assure The Dean of our prayers.

Lenten Study for 2015:

Please see the attachment for one Lenten resource.  I will have information on other resources available for the next Bulletin.  There are a number of online resources. 

Dates:

Please note your diaries for the following important occasions within the life of the Diocese:

Ordination - I propose, God willing, to ordain The Reverend Cameron Wills as priest, on Sunday 15^th February, 6pm at The Good Shepherd Edge Hill.  We assure Cameron, Renee and the family of our prayers.

Induction of The Reverend Paul Beasley as Rector (half time) – Friday 20^th February, 7pm at St Alban’s Innisfail.  (Please note change of time).

Induction of The Reverend Rodney Oldfield as Priest Missioner – Wednesday 25^th February, 6pm at St Andrew’s Cloncurry.

Faithfulness in Service – Saturday 21^st March 9am-12noon at St Matthew’s Mundingburra.

Wishing you every blessing.

Yours in Christ,

The Right Reverend William (Bill) Ray

Bishop of North Queensland

                     Sexual Abuse contact line:  1800 839 839   or   07 3835 2266

Grassroots Publications:

Lent Study 2015

Bishop John Harrower

"The God of Life" - Available December 15, 2014

God is the God of Life. It is no accident that the great “I Am” sayings of Jesus include the very staples of living: bread and water. And it is not an idle thing that we are invited at Holy Communion to feed on Christ spiritually, in our hearts, by faith with thanksgiving. God desires us to live Christlike lives.

Lent has traditionally been a special season in the growth and development of a Christian’s life. Through looking carefully into our outer and inner lives, with reflection and repentance, we find renewal.

The Holy Spirit takes our prayers, thoughts, questions and study time, and shapes our lives to deeper discipleship.

A special focus on God’s work in us that enables us to experience life in its fullness is explored in each of these five studies:

Study One: Creator of Life    

Study Two: Promiser of Life

Study Three: Sustainer of Life           

Study Four: Rescuer of Life

Study Five: Renewer of Life

Study Six (Holy week) ‘Ruler of Life’ is published on the web site.

May these Lenten studies be to you a life-changing event through the power of the Holy Spirit.

‘God of Life’ is a five part study (plus study 6 on the web) of the readings and Psalms for the Eucharist based on the readings for Year B.

• Sample pages of the introduction and first study.

Click here for pdf file

• Additional material

This will is be provided on our web pages Late January 2015

A password is NOT needed.

Click Here

• Cost $ 9.50 plus postage (No postage on orders 40+)
• Same price as last year.
• Full colour
• Discounts on “The God of Life” for orders 50 and over.
• Books can be ordered and paid for on line or we will send an account.

• The readings are based on the Year "B" lenten lectionary readings using ‘The Australian Lectionary’.