Dear Members of the Diocesan Family

The Reverend Betty Handley OAM:

I ask for your prayers for Betty.  A little while ago Betty had a minor stroke and we give thanks to God that Betty has made a good recovery.  Betty has now moved from Mount Isa to Hervey Bay to be closer to family.  We pray God’s blessing upon Betty in this time of transition and relocation.  We also give thanks to God for Betty’s ministry not only at Mount Isa but also to the Western Region of the Diocese.

Betty was awarded her OAM for her services to the Anglican Church and Scouting Movement.  Betty’s last Sunday at St. James and St. Luke’s was the 6th July, 2015.  On the Friday prior, the Mayor of Mount Isa honoured Betty with a Morning Tea.

The Reverend Chris Yule:

Many people have enquired after Fr Chris.  He is doing very well and the wound is healing. 

The Reverend Heather Cahill and The Reverend Peter Holbrook:

Heather had a fall after a worship service a little while ago and Peter has had a fall as well. Both are wearing the “moon boot”, and we pray for their recovery.

Synod:

I thank everyone who worked on and assisted with the preparation and the conduct of Synod.  It takes a lot of work.  This was Tina’s first Synod and I thank her for getting such a good grasp of Synod so quickly. 

While it is dangerous to name people as you can easily leave people out unintentionally, I do want to thank the Dean and the people of the Cathedral Parish, The Cathedral School for their generosity, those who sponsored Synod, as well as those who had displays.  I also thank those who stood for election along with those who spoke to the various Bills and motions. 

To the Secretaries, the Treasurer, the Chair of Committees, the Registrar, the Chancellor and Mrs Tina Price, a very big thank you for your ministry and guidance.

Also, I thank Mr Samuel Blanch for playing for the various worship services and my Chaplain for organising the various worship services and keeping me on track.  The MU did another marvellous job in making sure we had plenty of tea and coffee along with food.

To everyone who attended and who assisted in whatever way, a very big thank you for your ministry. 

What happened?

1. My Presidential Address is on the web.  If you would like a hard copy please contact my PA, Julie.
   
   
2. There was one Diocesan Canon, and an amendment to the St. Mark’s College Canon to allow the College Council and the Diocese to enter into a third party agreement.  This was passed.
3. There were three General Synod Canons. They  were:

• Two Canons in relation to the role of a Bishop on a Diocesan Tribunal.
• The third Canon was to amend the Holy Orders and Relinquishment and Deposition Canon in relation to the National Register.  (The National Register contains the names of clergy or lay people who have been found guilty of abuse offences). The Bishops only place names on the Register after due process and consultation.

4.  Motions addressing various subjects that were passed at Synod. Following are the procedural motions, those elected and question asked of Synod.

I did mention at the Clergy Conference, but it slipped my mind at the close of Synod, to thank the Ross River Parish for agreeing to move from their normal worship space (The Len Nairn Theatre where Synod was held) on Sunday morning.  This did involve the Ross River people shifting everything.  So a very big thank you for your co-operation.  

Clergy Conference:

This past week the Clergy met in Conference.  It was a positive week of learning and fellowship.   I am forwarding an Ad Clerum to clergy following up on various matters.

It was announced at the Conference that there will be a monthly Diocesan Paper.  We are starting off small.  The Dean has oversight of communications and publications in the Diocese and The Reverend Dr Kenneth Lay is to be the Editor.  Just to start, the title will be “Reef and Beef”.   Further details will be made available shortly.

Sydney James Kirkby – Bush Church Aid:

Today the Anglican Church of Australia (ACA) gives thanks to God for the life and ministry of Sydney James Kirkby who was instrumental in the founding of the Bush Church Aid Society (BCA).  In this Diocese we give thanks for The Reverend Rod and Mrs Christene Oldfield who are based at Cloncurry and minister to the Southern Gulf and The Reverend Anne Nixon and Noel who are based at Winton in the Diocese of Rockhampton but provide ministry to Hughenden and Richmond. 

The Reverend Mark and Mrs Sandy Evans are retired BCA missionaries.  Mark and Sandy will be providing ministry at St. Margaret's West Cairns while the Reverend Don and Mrs Carolynn Ford are on leave.

Cathedral Art Show:

 “In the Heart of the City”   Art and Craft Exhibition

The Exhibition will be held from 16 July to 2 August at St James’ Cathedral.  I will be officially opening the Exhibition at 6.00pm on Thursday, 16 July.  Tickets for the opening are available at a cost of $10 (Friends’ concession $7.50).  Wine and finger food will be served after the opening of the exhibition. 

There will also be an exhibition of Prisoners’ Art which will be opened by the Mayor of Townsville Cr Jenny Hill at 12noon Thursday 23 July.  All are welcome to attend at any time during the exhibition.

Wishing you every blessing and be assured of my prayers.

Yours in Christ,

The Right Reverend William (Bill) Ray
Bishop of North Queensland

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

Motions from Synod:

Saturday:

Presidential Address
Motion 03 of 2015

“That this Synod thanks Bishop Bill for his charge to Synod this morning, especially thanking him for his leadership in preparing Future Directions 2015-2019 and his focus on strengthening the ministry of the Parishes of the Diocese.  We thank him for building on last year’s Presidential Address and continually challenging us to take up the challenge of the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We look forward to working with Bishop Bill, not just here at Synod but for the coming year in implementing the vision outlined in Future Directions.  We pray that, with him, we too may find the “new rakes” of ministry and have courage to lay old worn out rakes aside”. 

Moved            The Reverend Christian Ford
Seconded       Mr Chris Kahler
CARRIED WITH ACCLAMATION

Financial and Budget
Motion 02 of 2015

That Synod adopts the audited Financial Statements as presented in these documents for the Year Ended 31 December 2014, and the budget for the Year Ended 31 December 2015.

Moved             Mr David Rockley
Seconded       The Venerable Christopher Wright
CARRIED

Same Sex Marriage
Motion 01 of 2015

“That this Synod encourages Parishes to prayerfully study the broad range of Biblical and theological understandings within the Anglican Church, of the issue of same-sex marriage, and requests the Bishop to compile a set of studies reflective of all sides of the argument to assist Parishes to do this”.         

Moved             The Reverend Robyn Boyd
Seconded        The Reverend Doctor Kenneth Lay
CARRIED

(I am researching various documents at the moment and I will be asking the Ministry Council to address this matter.)

Synod Services
Motion 04 of 2015

“That in response to the Bishop’s Presidential Address in which he noted the need for flexibility of worship styles.  I move that in coming years the Friday night Synod Service models different styles of services that clearly proclaim the one unchanging message of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour”.

Moved             The Reverend Tim Adkins
Seconded        Mr Shannon Chadwick
CARRIED

Sunday:

Domestic Violence
Motion 06 of 2015

That this Synod, in recognition of the Presidential address, stands opposed to domestic violence, and makes it clear that domestic violence is not to be tolerated within the church and is anathema to the Gospel and God’s ordering of our lives lived together.  This Synod requests Bishop Bill to write to the local members of the Queensland Parliament of the North Queensland area and express our support for the efforts of the report "Not Now Not Ever" to find ways to end domestic violence.

This Synod calls upon the churches of the diocese to take up the twin challenge posed to faith communities in the report "Not Now Not Ever".  Those challenges being:

•   Leaders of all faiths and religions to take a leadership role in fostering and encouraging respectful relationships in their community, and to teach their communities and congregations that coercive control and violence are never acceptable;

•   Leaders of faith to provide support to victims of domestic and family violence and encourage their community to do so.

Further this Synod calls for each parish of the Diocese to consider what it can do to make clear to the wider community that Domestic Violence is not acceptable and to seek ways of supporting families experiencing domestic violence.

Moved             The Reverend Christian Ford
Seconded         Mr Ian Roberts
CARRIED

Bishop Mabo
Motion 07 of 2015

"That in recognition of this being Bishop Mabo's last Synod as an Assistant Bishop, Synod acknowledge and thank Bishop Mabo and Mrs Sania Mabo's substantial contribution to the life and ministry of the Diocese.  Synod thanks Bishop Mabo for his selfless and tireless service both as an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese and as a National Bishop for the Anglican Church of Australia, and to wish both Bishop Mabo and Mrs Sania Mabo the prayers and best wishes of the Diocese for a blessed, healthy and rewarding future".

CARRIED WITH ACCLAMATION

Original Inhabitants
Motion 08 of 2015

“That we the Synod of the Diocese of North Queensland reaffirm our acknowledgment of the Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people as the original inhabitants of this land”.

Moved               The Reverend Maggie Kirby
Seconded          The Reverend Henry Kennell
CARRIED

Overseas Aid
Motion 09 of 2015

This Synod urges members of Synod to contact their local federal politician requesting that the proportion of the national budget for overseas aid be increased.

Moved             The Reverend John McKim
Seconded         The Reverend Canon Bill Woodland
CARRIED 

Thanks
Motion 10 of 2015

“That the Synod expresses its thanks to:

The Bishop of the Diocese for his leadership and Chairmanship of this Synod and for his Charge to Synod;
The Bishop, Dr Robin Ray and the St James Cathedral Parish for the social gathering, food and refreshments at St James Cathedral;
The Very Reverend Rod MacDonald and the members of the Cathedral congregation for the Synod Service;
The Registrar – The Reverend Greg Lynham;
The Treasurer – Mr David Rockley;
The Chancellor – Judge John Coker;
The Chairman of Committees – Mr Chris Kahler;
The Deputy of Committees – The Venerable Christopher Wright;
The Chaplain – The Reverend Christian Ford;
Diocesan Staff;
Diocesan Council, Diocesan Executive, Commissions and Committees for the voluntary service rendered over the past year;
The Cathedral School for the provision of lunches and use of their facilities;
MU Australia NQ for morning and afternoon teas during Synod;
The many volunteers;
The Synod Secretaries – The Reverend Jeff Coop and Mrs Dorothy Stephens;
The Minute Reading Committee – Mr Ed Bray and The Reverend Barbara Blackford;
Mr Sam Blanch for his musical talents;
Diocesan Synod Arrangements Committee; and
All people who organised and assisted with Synod.
And a special thank-you to Dr Robin Ray for her support of the Bishop and his ministry.”

Moved             The Venerable Chris Wright 
Seconded        The Reverend Rod Cole-Clarke
CARRIED WITH ACCLAMATION

Elections

The President declared the following election results:

Diocesan Council (4 Clerical members elected by the House of Clergy)
The Reverend John McKim; The Reverend Jeff Coop; The Reverend Canon Wayne Connolly and The Reverend Trevor Saggers. 

Diocesan Council (4 Lay members elected by the House of Laity)
Mrs Dorothy Stephens; Mr Ed Bray; Dr Susan Ciccotosto and Mrs Christine Grimwade. 

Provincial Synod (6 Clerical members elected by the House of Clergy)
The Venerable Chris Wright; The Reverend Jeff Coop; The Reverend Robyn Boyd; The Reverend John Simons; The Reverend Christian Ford and The Reverend John McKim.  

Provincial Synod (6 Lay members elected unopposed by the House of Laity)
Mrs Christine Grimwade; Mr Ed Bray; Mrs Deane Bray; Mrs Dianne Barnett; Mr Sam Blanch and -Dr Susan Ciccotosto. 

General Synod (2 Clerical members elected by the House of Clergy)
The Venerable Chris Wright and The Reverend Jeff Coop. 

General Synod (2 Lay members elected by the House of Laity)
Mrs Christine Grimwade and Mr Ed Bray. 

Appointment Board (3 Clerical members elected by the House of Clergy)
The Venerable Chris Wright; The Reverend Trevor Saggers and The Reverend John McKim. 

Appointment Board (3 Lay members elected by the House of Laity)
Mr Ed Bray; Mrs Shirley Vico and Mrs Anne Watkins. 

Assessors Under Tribunal Canon (3 Clerical members elected unopposed by the House of Clergy, 3 positions still vacant)
The Venerable Chris Wright; The Reverend Jeff Coop and The Reverend Christian Ford. 

Assessors Under Tribunal Canon (2 Lay members elected unopposed by the House of Laity, 4 positions still vacant)
Mr Ed Bray and Mr Peter Hall. 

Bishopric Election Nomination Committee (3 Clerical members elected by the House of Clergy)
The Reverend Christian Ford; The Reverend Jeff Coop and The Venerable Chris Wright. 

Bishopric Election Nomination Committee (3 Lay members elected unopposed by the House of Laity)
Mr Ed Bray; Mrs Dorothy Stephens and Mrs Sandra Evans. 

Termination of Rectors Standing Commission (3 Rectors elected)
The Venerable Canon Chris Wright; The Reverend Jeff Coop and The Reverend Christian Ford. 

Termination of Rectors Standing Commission (2 Lay members elected unopposed by the House of Laity)
Mr Ed Bray and Mrs Deane Bray. 

Cathedral Chapter Clerical Canon (1 Clerical Canon elected)
The Reverend John Simons.

The question that was asked at Synod:

The Standing Orders of Synod allow for members of Synod to ask a question.  The President, (that is the Bishop), is to answer the question during Synod.  I have been asked to print the question and my answer for the information of the Diocese.

Topic:  Intinction

The question was, “Is the practice of intinction, that is, the distribution or reception of the consecrated bread and consecrated wine at the Eucharist by means of immersing or partly immersing the host in the Chalice,

Forbidden,
Tolerated,
Permitted,
Encouraged,
Or mandated, in the Diocese of North Queensland?

Are there any guidelines for clergy and laity in relation to intinction, and the assurance of hygiene.”

My answer as President:

On 27 April, 2012, The Archbishop of Brisbane forwarded an article on intinction to the Diocese of Brisbane.  I asked the Archbishop could I reproduce the article in my Bulletin and he agreed.  It was about two weeks later I forwarded the article to the Diocesan family. 

In relation to the five areas above my reply is:

Intinction is not forbidden.  I am of the view that administering the bread and wine in Nursing Homes is often best by intinction by the clergy or lay minister.
Yes, the practice of intinction is tolerated in this Diocese.
Yes, the practice is permitted, but not encouraged.
Intinction is certainly not mandated and my reasons are:

i)              The common cup is the liturgical norm in Anglicanism.  In the following passages of Scripture it is written: “Then he [Jesus] took a cup ….” in the Gospels, and “the cup” in Corinthians.  (See Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-25).
ii)             While some are concerned about the risk of infection being greater with the Common cup, research has highlighted that the hands contain more germs than the mouth. 
iii)            During the Greeting of Peace we shake hands and there is a risk of infection being passed.  That is why it is important that clergy and lay ministers use the alcohol hand cleaner.  I am pleased that most parishes use hand cleansers.
iv)           From my reading and research I learnt that people placing their hands around the common cup is unwise, as germs can spread from the hands. 
v)            It is important that the chalice, the cup, is of a noble metal, that is, that it is resistant to corrosion and oxidation in moist air, so only gold and silver chalices are recommended. 
vi)           It is important a purificator is used after each person has received the chalice.

I am aware in some parishes of the practice of using individual cups.  This practice came in during the nineteenth century. This practice is provided for those who have hygiene difficulties with the common cup.  I have to say that it concerns me deeply the cleanliness of some of the glass individual cups.  I ask parishes to review how the cups are cleansed and that they remain clean.