Anglican Diocese of North Queensland - 22 September (27/2015)

Dear Members of the Diocesan Family

My P.A., Julie:
Julie has been with the Diocese for ten years now and been The Bishop's PA for the same period of time. Julie is the longest serving staff member at the Diocesan Registry. As a result Julie is now on Long Service Leave until Tuesday, 03 November. We pray that Julie and Brett have a safe a wonderful time overseas.
Tina will be checking the emails that go to bishoppa@anglicannq.org. However, Tina will not always be available so if you want me to see an email quickly please forward to bishopnq@anglicannq.org. Emails to this latter email address goes both to my PA and myself, whereas, emails to bishoppa@anglicannq.org are only seen by Julie and if they are relevant to me, Julie forwards them onto me.

Emails:
Thankfully most of our email hassles at the Registry are resolved. However we are aware of the odd glitch. I am acknowledging emails and sometimes saying I will not be have time to attend to this email until the next day or whatever. However, if I do not acknowledge your email within twenty four hours please contact the Diocesan Registry and let us know. Over the past couple of months we have learnt that at times emails have not arrived. As I said before we do not know unless you inform us. We certainly pray that most of our hassles are over.

Kerrisdale Gardens:
Kerrisdale Gardens is an aged care development on the north side of Mackay owned and operated by Good Shepherd Lodge Ltd. Last Wednesday, Mr John Tait, the Chair of the Good Shepherd Board and Mrs Raelene Phillips the CEO of Good Shepherd Lodge, officially opened the facility and I then blessed the building.
Earlier in the day I dedicated the new Chapel. The lectern and altar are beautifully carved to suit the chapel decor. The cross is lit from behind and really stands out. It is a wonderful worship and sacred space.
The Reverend Canon Ann Ditmarr McCollim is the Chaplain of Kerrisdale. The Noel Maloney is the Chaplain to Good Shepherd home.

Holy Trinity Mackay:
We give thanks to God for the ministry of The Reverend Tom Pamflett as locum. Tom has returned to his home in Geelong, Victoria, where it is a little cooler!
We welcome The Reverend Tim and Mrs Jo Morris back to the Diocese. Tim is the locum at Holy Trinity for the next two months.
Please pray for Holy Trinity and the discussions surrounding the development of the cluster ministry.

Southern Region Area Dean:
On Friday evening at the opening service of the Diocesan MU Conference, I presented The Reverend John McKim with his licence as Area Dean. I thank John for the many ministries he has picked up from time to time in the Southern Region and Parish of St. Charles for their support of their Rector.

The Diocesan MU Conference:
This past weekend, the Diocesan MU Conference was held at St. Charles West Mackay. It was a very productive time and MU has moved forward to make their structures more relevant to the size of their membership and ministry needs in the Diocese.
I thank Mrs Anne Watkins and her team for all their work and in preparation of the Conference and we pray for the ongoing smooth passage of the reforms they have agreed upon. I also thank the Parish of St. Charles once again for hosting the conference.

Prayers:
Please keep praying for Fr Chris Yule. Chris is making very good progress and is looking much better. We pray for Chris' continued improvement in health.
We pray for The Reverend Canon Ian and Mrs Jill McAlister. Jill has been diagnosed with lung cancer and Ian has undergone a number of medical tests for a few health issues he is facing. Both Jill and Ian are very much aware of the presence of Christ at this time but they certainly would appreciate your prayers.
We give thanks for the ministry of The Reverend Henry Kennell at North Mackay. Henry has not been 100% of late and will be taking leave next month. We pray for Henry and Carilyn.

Bowen:
On Sunday I met with the Bowen Parish Council and we are exploring a new format of locum ministry. Please pray for this venture as we move forward. I will keep the Diocesan family informed of progress.

Safe travel and blessed time:
We pray for The Reverend Canon Ann and The Reverend Keith Dittmar McCollim as they travel to Hawaii and undertake a locum ministry for the next couple of months.

The Reverend Susan Handley:
This weekend at St. James and St Luke's Mt. Isa, The Reverend Susan Handley will be thanked and farewelled as Priest in Charge of the Parish. We give thanks for Susan's ministry and we pray for Susan and her husband Bill as they prepare to retire to Herberton in time.

Attachments:
The Anglican Church Calendar - I know many parishes have received this information, but in case you have not received this information I have provided it. Proceeds from the sale of these calendars supports the ministry of Anglican Overseas Aid.
New Clergy Leave Application – This is for the use of clergy and has been approved by the Diocese. I remind clergy of Canon 20, which I enclose. Please note section 6 of the Canon. Many clergy are sending in their forms just as they go on leave and at times when the leave has already been taken. I remind all clergy we give assent to the Canons in force at the time.
This leave form is available on the Diocesan website as well – this link. As is Canon 20 – this link.
Faithfulness in Service DVD - At the sixteenth session of General Synod in 2014, a Faithfulness in Service DVD resource for clergy and church workers was launched. Our website directs readers to the DVD via YouTube - this link. Copies of the DVD are also available upon request from my office: bishoppa@anglicannq.org

Conclusion:
I write this on the evening of St. Matthew's Day. We have two Churches in the Diocese dedicated to St. Matthews. St. Matthew's Mundingburra here in Townsville and St. Matthew's Malanda in the Parish of The Atherton Tablelands.
The Collect (or Prayer) for St. Matthew reminds us that in following Christ we do not follow the way of the world. We always show that self-giving love.

Almighty God,
who through your Son Jesus Christ
called Matthew from the selfish pursuit of gain
to become an apostle and evangelist:
free us from all greed and love of riches
so that we may follow the steps of our Lord Jesus Christ
in the way of self-giving love;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

Wishing you very blessing and be assured of my prayers.
Yours in Christ

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