Bishop's Bulletin
No. 14/2015
Dear Members of the Diocesan Family
ANZAC Day:
I write a monthly article for the community of The Good Shepherd Home here in Townsville. Please see attached the article I wrote for ANZAC Day. There will be many services across the Diocese. The ABC reported this morning that there will be 157 in the North Queensland region. Please be assured of my prayers for those who are leading services and for the work of the RSL and Legacy.
Some people have asked for suitable prayers. Please see the following pages in ‘A Prayer Book for Australia’ (APBA).
P 629 – Collect and Readings for ANZAC Day
P 202 – Prayer for Peace
P 202 – Prayer for International tension
P 204 – Prayer for ANZAC Day
Newcastle Diocese:
Please pray for the people of Newcastle and Northern Sydney as they mop up after the storms. The diocese of Newcastle has asked us to use this prayer on Sunday:
Look in mercy on your people Lord,
Hear our prayers for all affected or traumatized by the severe weather.
We pray for those who have lost loved ones, those who have lost homes and possessions, and the homeless.
We give thanks for and pray for all of the emergency service workers and all who care for those in need.
We pray this in the name of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
I contacted Bishop Greg Thompson and he has replied saying, “Appreciate your prayers and thoughts. Looks like much of Newcastle residents without power until next week. Many small communities remain isolated as flood waters cut off roads. We are working out how to live without power at home since Monday but we are not facing the far worse situations in the hinterland”.
I have been humbled by the way the Australian Church rallied when we have suffered from various natural disasters here in North Queensland.
This Sunday:
This Sunday, being the Fourth Sunday of Easter is Good Shepherd Sunday. The Diocese, along with parishes and many individual parishioners were active in the establishment of The Good Shepherd Home in Townsville and Good Shepherd Lodge in Mackay.
Please pray for the Board and Committees along with the staff and the residents of both these places.
I also acknowledge the great ministry that many of our parishes provide to Nursing Homes and the frail aged. Bless you and thank you for your commitment and care.
Prayers:
Please continue to pray for the following clergy who are unwell:
The Reverend Dr Wayne Melrose and The Reverend Chris Yule.
Please pray for those involved in the primary industries as life is not easy for them at the moment. At Tully and Innisfail, banana growers are suffering because of Panama Disease. The drought situation continues to worsen. We did not receive the wet season rains. There is some rain forecast for the winter, but they are not predicting any significant falls. This places increased demands on grazing families both in terms of watering and feeding livestock as well as the day to day demands of life. It is not easy at the moment for those in the fishing industry either.
As well, there are those who have lost their job, either in mining or mining related industries. There are a number of people who are seeking employment.
Date Claimer – 18th October 2015:
The Archbishop of Canterbury has urged churches to play a lead role in the “new abolitionist movement” by supporting Freedom Sunday. “I encourage churches to be at the forefront of this new abolitionist movement, by taking steps to raise awareness now and by coming together with others around the world on 18 October, Freedom Sunday, in a day of worship, prayer and action on human trafficking.” http://tinyurl.com/canterbury-fs
STOP THE TRAFFIK in Australia is coordinating this day of worship, prayer and action on human trafficking, as churches all over the world will join together to raise awareness of the crime of human trafficking and show the world our compassion for the women, children and men who are trafficked and exploited. Resources will be made available by Synod.
Kidzlink
In my last Bulletin I mentioned that Kidzlink celebrated forty years of ministry. I apologize for this error. The Parish of St Peter’s West End actually celebrated forty years of children’s ministry. It was a wonderful occasion in the Parish last weekend.
Thank you:
I am aware that many people could not get through on the phone and not all emails were received over the past seven weeks. On behalf of the staff at the Registry, I thank you for your patience. A part of the issue was the connection to the NBN. As this matter was being addressed there were a number of other issues that came to light.
The great news is that yesterday the connection was completed. So hopefully from next week everything will be up and running smoothly. Once again many thanks for your understanding.
Wishing you every blessing
Yours in Christ,
The Right Reverend William (Bill) Ray
Bishop of North Queensland
Sexual Abuse contact line: 1800 242 544 or 07 3835 2266
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