Dear Members of the Diocesan Family

Lent:

Lent is fast approaching.  I did say in my last Bulletin that I would include resources for Lent.  There are many resources on the web.  Some of the titles are: 

Walking and Praying with Christians in the Middle East www.ctbi.org.uk/688

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland - Lent 2012

www.ctbi.org.uk/CGJ/572

In this Lent study course, which continued our partnership with BBC Radio, we were invited to think of this journey as leading towards the true freedom of living.  

[PDF]Lent Studies - Church of Scotland

www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf.../lent_studies_new.pdf

This year's Lent course from CTBI has been prepared by the Church of Scotland, discussion resource to Christians of all traditions across Britain and Ireland.

http://www.chbookshop.co.uk/features/lent - offers a wide range of resources for Lent and at other times.

My Study of three years ago "Faith Rudder" is another option. This study is based on the Old Testament readings for this year, Year B.

I was asked recently could people prepare their own.  One option is looking at the Gospel of Mark during Lent and the week following Easter, using either a study Bible or commentary on the Gospel of Mark. 

The structure that I suggest is:

Week One:                  The Beginning of the Gospel Mark 1:1-13

Week Two:                  Jesus' public ministry in Galilee Mark 1:14 to 9.50

Week Three:               From Galilee to Jerusalem Mark 10:1-52

Week Four:                 The last week in and near Jerusalem Mark 11:1 to 14:72

Week Five:                  Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus Mark 15

After Easter-

Week Six:                   The Resurrection and the various endings to the Gospel of Mark.                                        Mark 16

Townsville Hospital:

The Reverend Heather Cahill is resuming her ministry as Chaplain to the Townsville Hospital.  We welcome Heather back to the Diocese.

Heather is available for ministry and can be contacted on 0417 602 868.

Ordination of The Reverend Cameron Wills:

I propose, God willing, to ordain The Reverend Cameron Wills as priest, on Sunday 15^th February, 6pm at The Good Shepherd Edge Hill.  Please pray for Cameron, Renee and the family.

Schools:

Please pray for our Schools, the staff and students as they continue to settle into the school year.  Children have been back for a couple of weeks but it does take time for some students to settle in, particularly those who are starting school or commencing secondary school.  This year some secondary schools have both year seven and year eight starting secondary school. 

In several of our cities there has been extensive R.E. Teacher training this past week.  I thank the people who have put many hours of planning and preparation into the training sessions. 

It was a pleasure to say a few words the other day at a Commissioning of R.E. Teachers service. From time to time, people ask me about the value or the benefits of R.E.  In this State the Church still has the right of entry into schools.  I sometimes think the right of entry is something we take for granted but we do not always appreciate what a blessing it is to us.  R.E. enables many young people to hear about Jesus Christ and the Gospel stories.  There is a real sense in which R.E. is a seed sowing.  In 1 Corinthians 3 Paul tells us that, this one planted, that one watered, but it is God who gives us the growth. 

Please pray for our R.E. teachers as they commence their ministry in the next week or so.

The Registrar - The Reverend Greg Lynham:

As you are aware Greg is a non stipendiary Registrar and we give thanks to God for his ministry.  I am pleased to report that we give thanks to God that Greg's eyes and eyesight are improving.  He still has some distance to go but is making good progress.

On Monday Greg will be sworn in as a part time Magistrate for the Australian Defence Force. The swearing in will be in Sydney.  We congratulate Greg on this new appointment and we assure him of our prayers.  

Greg will be continuing as Registrar. 

New Appointment for the Registry:

Over the past two days a small committee has been interviewing people for the position of Senior Administration Officer.  The committee has decided to use the weekend as a time of prayer before we make the final decision.  I ask that you pray for us as well.

Queensland:

Please continue to pray for our State as we await the final results of the count of ballots and who will form government.   We also pray for those who are involved in the various negotiations in regard to forming Government.  We give thanks to God for those who served us during the past three years and we pray for those who were either elected or re-elected last Saturday. 

Annual General Meeting (AGM):

I assure the parishes of my prayers as you conduct your AGMs.  From time to time I hear people say that the AGM is something that you have to do and let’s get it over with!  Last week I chaired an AGM and I reminded the good folk that an AGM is an opportunity to reflect over the past year and give thanks to God for the many blessings we have received.  It is also an opportunity to commend the year ahead to God as we go forth in faith.  The AGM is not just a duty or something we have to do, it should be an opportunity to journey with God as a Parish.

Wising you every blessing in your ministry and be assured of my prayers as we prepare for Lent.

Yours in Christ,

The Right Reverend William (Bill) Ray

Bishop of North Queensland

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