Dear Members of the Diocesan Family 

Bishops and Spouses' Conference:

Robin and I were very conscious of the prayers and love of so many across the Diocese during the Conference.  It was a very good conference with the focus and theme of "Reconciliation". For some of the bishops and their spouses it was the first time they have visited North Queensland and Cairns in particular.  I know some came with apprehension, but they left with a very positive view of this part of the Lord's Vineyard. 

Along with Robin I thank each of you for your prayers, and I thank the following for their contribution to the Conference:

• The Reverend Victor Joseph and some of the Wontulp-Bi-Buya students who spoke on the Friday evening.

• Mrs Yodie Batzke for her talk at the Conference Dinner.

• The parishioners of Yarrabah who hosted the Sunday worship for the Conference and provided a sumptuous feast to follow.

• The parishes of the Northern Region for the gifts that went into the Conference Bag, including the wonderful hand held crosses.  

• The Reverend Don Ford and The Reverend Annette Woods for ministry as Chaplains to the Conference.

• Mr Ed and Mrs Deane Bray for the transporting of bishops and their spouses and for their general administrative support. 

• The Parish of the Good Shepherd for hosting the New Bishops' Programme on the Thursday.  

Ordination:

God willing, Mrs Denise Ireland will be made a deacon in the Church of God at 6pm this Friday evening at St Margaret’s West Cairns.

The liturgical colour is red.  Please pray for Denise, her husband Raymond and family.

Faithfulness in Service Training - 21 March St. Matthew's Mundingburra:

The session will commence at 9am and conclude at 12noon.

Please note the following details: 

It is a requirement of all licensed clergy to attend, along with those who are Churchwardens and those involved with children’s ministry.  Such training assists Parish Councillors and others to understand the importance of these requirements.

The Weather:

Some places across the country, Diocese and overseas have been inundated with rain.  There has been damage due to cyclones.  Please pray for those who have suffered damage to property and livelihoods, particularly those in Vanuatu where at least eight people have died and there has been extensive damage to property.  For those who wish to make a financial contribution to relief efforts, please contact ABM by phone on 1300 302 663 or on the web: 

http://www.abmission.org/appeals.php/21/vanuatu-cyclone-emergency-appeal

Also, out in the West there are many properties still in the grip of severe drought.  Please pray for these good folk as they struggle to feed and make sure there is adequate water for their livestock. I am grateful to the Parishes who are supporting those suffering from the drought.  I am thankful to the farmers down south who have donated fodder.

The Diocese of Bathurst - An Episcopal Ministry Fund:

I ask for your continued prayers for the Diocese of Bathurst.  As many of you are aware, the Diocese has been and still is suffering severe financial hardship.  The Bishop Ian Palmer, to address the current financial situation, is now the Rector of Dubbo.  A special ministry fund has been set up and dioceses and parishes are invited to contribute to the Fund.  Please see the attached information.

Fresh Expressions Task Force:

Please find attached a paper addressing the important matter of Fresh Expressions.  I welcome comment to the paper. 

At the moment we are exploring Fresh Expressions of Church in two areas of the Diocese.  I want to stress that we are not replacing existing worship and ministry.  The aim of Fresh Expressions is to reach out into the community using a non-threatening environment to bring people to faith in Christ.

Information for those who are Marriage Celebrants:

Please find attached a ‘Checklist for completing Marriage Documents’ which you may find helpful.  Recently some new marriage forms were introduced, and I remind celebrants that it is their responsibility to keep up to date.  You will find the complete Guidelines on the Marriage Act 1961 for Marriage Celebrants at:

www.ag.gov.au/FamiliesAndMarriage/Marriage/Documents/Guidelines

There is also an online survey in regard to forms that you may wish to complete at:

www.surveymonkey.com/s/MarriageForms

If you do not have access to the web, please contact my office and I will forward you information as it becomes available. 

Some of the clergy were present a few years ago when we had an Officer of the Court address us in regard to being a religious marriage celebrant.  I have been asked for an update and I am pleased to report that this will happen at the Clergy Conference this July.

Congratulations:

On behalf of the Diocesan family I congratulate The Reverend Maggie and Mr Mike Kirby as they celebrate fifty years of marriage.  We also assure them of our love and prayers as they give thanks to God for the past fifty years and as they move forward in faith in the years ahead.

Are you between 20 to 35 Years of Age?  Is God calling you?:

Please find attached a letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury inviting people in this age group to explore the possibility of a year of prayer, study, service to the poor, and shared life at Lambeth Palace.  It is my prayer that there will be some people from North Queensland willing to explore this invitation. 

Who is St. Anselm?  He lived from 1033 to 1109 and became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1093.   He grew up in a valley in the Italian Alps.  His early life was undisciplined.  However, in 1056 he crossed the Alps into France and in 1059 he entered a monastic school in Normandy, France.  Anselm had remarkable intellectual abilities and was a wise spiritual director and author. 

Anselm reluctantly consented to be Archbishop of Canterbury.  He was consecrated on the 4^th December 1093. 

The church remembers and celebrates the earthly life and ministry of St Anselm on 21 April, 2015.

If you would like further information please contact my office.

Our prayers and sympathies:

We assure The Reverend Ed and Mrs Margaret Renfrey of our love and prayers as they celebrate and give thanks for the earthy life of Ed's mother Jo, who died recently and whose Requiem is today in Adelaide.

Bishop Ken Mason:

Bishop Ken is well known in the diocese both as a Bishop of the Province and as Chair of ABM.  Sadly Bishop Ken suffered a stroke recently and is still in hospital.  It appears he will not be able to return to his home to live.  Please pray for him.  I have written to him assuring him of the prayers of the Diocesan family.

The Reverend Chris Yule:

Chris has undergone several surgeries and is now at home.  Chris will have a considerable period of convalescence.   Please keep Chris in your prayers.

Because of the inclusions in this Bulletin, I will be forwarding another Bulletin on Friday.

I pray that Lent is a time of blessing for you.

Be assured of my prayers

Yours in Christ,

The Right Reverend William (Bill) Ray

Bishop of North Queensland

Please note that the number for the Office of Professional Standards Sexual Abuse contact line has changed:

                     Sexual Abuse contact line:  1800 242 544   or   07 3835 2266

• 10. Attachment - Marriage Celebrants Checklist
• 10. Attachment - Letter to Primates (M)
• 10. Mar Attachment Fresh Exp Task Force
• 10. Attachment - Episcopal Ministry Fund ( December 4 Brochure)