Dear Members of the Diocesan Family,

The Late Reverend Walter Nai:
A private thanksgiving service for the earthly life and ministry of The Reverend Walter Nai will be held on Wednesday evening. We continue to pray for Beverley and the family at this time.

The Reverend Tim and Mrs Jo Morris:
Both Holy Trinity Mackay and the Diocese give thanks to God for the ministry of Tim and Jo over the past two months. We wish them a safe return home to New Zealand and again we give thanks for their time at Holy Trinity.

Bishop George Tung Yep:
Bishop George no longer holds a licence and as a result he is not available for any ministry.
We pray for Bishop George and Marion, particularly as Bishop George cares for Marion.

Seasonable Weather:
It is often said Australia is a land of great contrasts. It would be accurate to say that the Diocese of North Queensland is an area reflective of these great contrasts. In past Bulletins I have asked people to pray for rain as many areas of the Diocese are in severe drought. I have been reminded that some areas of the Diocese are receiving too much rain and the sugar harvest is being extended. Therefore, I ask that we pray for seasonable weather.
The following prayer is taken from the AAPB page:

All things look to you, O Lord,
to give them their food in due season:
look in mercy on your people,
and hear our prayer for those whose lives and possessions
are threatened [have been destroyed] by drought [flood, fire].
In your mercy restore your creation and heal our land.
So guide and bless your people,
that we may enjoy the fruits of the earth
and give you thanks with grateful hearts,
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Key Dates for 2016:
I realise that not everyone is able to read the Bulletin when it is distributed. So I will repeat some of the key dates.

 Clergy Retreat: commencing at lunchtime on Monday, 01 February and will conclude after breakfast on Sunday, 07 February;
 Clergy Conference: commences at midday Tuesday, 05 July through to the closing worship on Friday, 08 July;
 Synod: Friday, 08 July through to Sunday, 10 July, 2016.

Regional Consultations:
You will recall that last time we held Regional Consultations, instead of hosting three and asking people to travel, we combined two or three parishes and people on various Diocesan Committees travel and shared.
In the first half of 2016, there will be three consultations before the next Synod, held in about thirteen locations. There will be several important topics on the agenda over the three sessions including, but not limited to:

 Faithfulness in Service
 Reporting on the progress in the re write of Canon 2: The Parishes Regulation Canon
 Developing small groups
 How to share our faith
 Updates on the Diocesan Budget.

The Diocesan Council will set the dates for these consultations, which will be communicated following their next meeting on 13 and 14 November.
Wishing you very blessing and be assured of my prayers.
Yours in Christ,


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


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