Dear Members of the Diocesan Family

Mrs Tina Price:

As you are aware the Diocese advertised for a Senior Administration Officer.  I am pleased to inform the Diocesan family that Mrs Tina Price was the successful applicant and has signed a contract of employment.  Tina will commence on Tuesday 17th February.  Tina's email address will be admin@anglicannq.organd she can be contacted on the Diocesan Registry telephone number - (07) 4771 4175. 

I know you will welcome Tina to her new ministry.  Please pray for Tina and her husband Peter, who is an army chaplain. 

Other Staffing Matters:

Rosie will be working with Tina and orientating Tina to life in the Registry and her new role.  There are a number of policies and procedures that need updating.  We are blessed that Rosie will be with us for a while in the capacity as project officer and her new email address will be projectofficer@anglicannq.org(effective 17^th February 2015).

Mrs Liz Johnson, who has been with us before, is with us now and helping to catch up on a number of matters in the office.  Liz will then be relieving Nikki when Nikki goes on maternity leave.

Please pray for Nikki.  This has not been a good week for Nikki health wise.  We hope and pray that Nikki will be back on Monday.

Ordination this Sunday Evening at 6.00 pm:

The Reverend Cameron Wills will be ordained priest this Sunday15th February at 6pm at The Good Shepherd Church, Edge Hill.

The liturgical colour is red.  I will be leading Cameron's retreat and preaching.  Please pray for Cameron, Renee and the family, along with all who will be involved with this important act of worship.

Sunday 1st March, 2105 at 6.00 pm - St. James' Cathedral:

This is the normal Evensong Service and at this service I will be preaching on the topic, "On how we present Christ".  This service is open to anyone, but I invite those in the Central Region to this service as we explore this vital topic.  I do not profess to have all the answers, but I am keen to put forward various suggestions for the Diocesan family to consider for the future.

The Reverend Des and Mrs Irene Pritchard:

Des and Irene are moving to the Gold Coast to live.  They will be near family.  Irene travelled down yesterday and Des will commence a road journey next Wednesday. 

Des has provided a valuable ministry in the Diocese over the years.  Des was Rector of Atherton from 1973 to 1982, locum at Mareeba for just under three years, taught at The Cathedral School and was heavily involved in the Healing Order of St Luke. 

In recent years, Des had provided a valuable ministry as locum in the Parish of The Atherton Tablelands, where Des has been wonderfully supported by his dear wife Irene. 

We assure Des and Irene of our prayers as they settle into a new abode and we pray that they will continue to know the peace and love of Christ in their life together and in the future. 

The Right Reverend Barbara Darling:

Sadly, Barbara had a stroke last Saturday.  Her condition continues to deteriorate and I was informed that earlier today, Archbishop Philip Freier anointed Barbara.  Please pray for those who are caring for Barbara and her family and friends at this time. 

Area Deans:

The Reverend Ann Dittmar-McCollim (Southern Region), The Reverend Paul Beasley (Northern Region) and The Reverend Canon Bill Woodland (Northern Region) have served their three year term as Area Dean.  As The Reverend Ann will be retiring from full time active ministry in the near future, I have asked Ann to stay on until she retires.

As a result, I have decided to hold the election for Area Dean and Assistant Area Dean in both deaneries late in the season of Easter.  I thank the Area Deans for their ministry.

Hospital Chaplain Contacts:

I have been asked to list the telephone numbers regularly.  For your information 

Cairns:                         0418 776 159

Townsville:                  0417 602 868

Please pray for our hospital chaplains and those who relieve with the on-call arrangements. 

Additional Lenten Study - "GIVE US A SIGN" - Ecumenical Project Support of Asylum Seekers:

Please find attached a letter from the Bishop of Newcastle in regard to an ecumenical Lenten Project. I encourage parishes to explore this project. 

Lent:

Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday.  Now is the time to for us to work out our Lenten disciplines.  It is easy to leave it until Ash Wednesday. I recall attending a pre-Lenten retreat and the conductor made the comment that if you leave it to Ash Wednesday to make your decision regarding Lenten discipline, you may not keep it that well.  I find it is important to give up and fast and give money to mission. I also find it important to take something extra on such as a detailed study of a Biblical book.

I pray you have a holy and blessed Lent.

Yours in Christ,

The Right Reverend William (Bill) Ray

Bishop of North Queensland

Sexual Abuse contact line:1800839839   or  073835 2266

6. 12 February 2015 - Attachment - Lenten Project