Dear Members of the Diocesan Family

Annual Leave:
Our party of nine had a wonderful and inspiring time in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Lesotho. It was great to see lions, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, as well as birds of prey in the Kalahari Desert. Victoria Falls was just breath taking and we saw elephants, giraffes, wart hogs, monkeys and the list goes on. Fish River Canyon was also breath taking. The landscape was so diverse but just so spectacular. You could not help but be awe struck by the majesty, power and glory of our God.
Having visited places like Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and many others were imprisoned as political prisoners because of the colour of their skin, you certainly become aware that even though we are created equally by God, there are sadly times in history when this is not honoured. We must never become complacent in making sure all are treated equally as we are created equal in the sight of God.
Robin and I were deeply impressed with the energy and drive of the two Anglican Overseas Aid projects. The progress of the Women's Empowerment Program and the Permaculture project is a real credit to the people.
I am still processing our insights and learning. This is becoming easier as the jet lag lifts! There will be more shared later.
It was a pleasure to worship in the Province of South Africa. In the South African Prayer Book they have the act of a Spiritual Communion. From time to time I am asked about this practice. We use the act of Spiritual Communion when we are by ourselves and not able to be a part of a service for whatever reason. The general practice is to go through the Ministry of the Word section of the Holy Communion service, including the Scripture readings. You focus on the readings and meditate upon them. Where the prayer of consecration would be prayed, you replace it with the short service on page 516 of "An Anglican Prayer Book, 1989 - Anglican Church of Southern Africa. See attached.

Australia:
Australia now has a new Prime Minister, Mr Malcolm Turnbull. Please pray for Mr Turnbull as he takes up his new responsibilities and selects his Cabinet. Please pray for stability for our Government.
The Primate has written to Mr Turnbull and I attach the Press Release for your information.
In some countries they pray for the nation and themselves as they go out into that part of God's world. At first it took me by storm, but the more I think and pray about it I think it is a good idea.
We have this little prayer in our Prayer Book on page 293 and I decided to use it more often:

God bless Australia,
guard our people
guide our leaders
and give us peace;
for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

Praying for those in need and for our Nation:
I have been conscious that in some of our worship services we pray for our church and our community. I remind us that the bidding is to pray for the World and the Church. Some of the areas we need to include in our intercessions are:

Drought:
Much of our State and Diocese is still in the grip of a severe drought. Please pray for rain. There are many people who need water for domestic use and stock. Rain would certainly bring some hope to constant repetitive tasks such as stock feeding and watering daily. For many of those in drought, just knowing it can still rain brings hope. I was aware while overseas some parts of South Africa are in their third year of drought. There are other areas across the globe in drought. So please continue to pray for seasonable weather across the world.

Refugees:
I was pleased to read while overseas that Australia has agreed to receive about 12,000 or so refugees. Across the globe we not only have refugees from war torn areas but also we now have economic refugees. We pray for those who are reaching out to those in need as well as for the officials who make decisions concerning refugees. Please explore what you can do to assist those in need. As Jesus reminds us, we are to love our neighbour. Also we must never forget that our Lord was a refugee. Along with Mary and Joseph he had to escape from King Herod to Egypt. (Matthew 2:13-23).
In one of the parishes I served in, we struggled as to the best way to assist refugees. After some consultation and me saying that I did not see the point of a harvest festival in suburbia, someone came up with the idea of an "Underwear Harvest Festival". People brought along new underwear in their size, I blessed it and we sent it to the refugee centre in Dandenong. There was some hesitancy at first, but it took off. What we learnt from the experience was that we provide clothes etc, but sometimes we do not meet the basic needs of people. I offer this experience, not to be repeated but as an idea of what people can come up with to address the local situation. Attached is a statement from the Primate.

Domestic Violence:
You will recall that I referred to this matter in my Presidential Address. The following motion was passed at Synod:

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

While I agree with the legislative changes, we cannot leave this matter in the hands of Parliament alone. We must see what we can do in our communities to help so that situations like last week are reduced. This matter is a community responsibility. I recall one of the speakers to the debate in Synod saying that so often we take the approach that we do not want to interfere or really become involved. Yes it does take sensitivity and courage to make that first step, that hard decision to be involved. In these situations please pray for the police and the emergency services people as they work and care for people in these situations.

From the Cathedral:
Please see attached a message from the Cathedral in regard to Mr Richard Sayers.
Please be assured of my prayers.

I ask for your prayers as the Diocesan Executive meets on Thursday morning. The agenda is very full.

Yours in Christ,

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

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

PM Turnbull
Spiritual Communion 
Vale Richard Sayers  
Syria