Dear Members of the Diocesan Family

Pentecost:

I pray you had a wonderful celebration of Pentecost. 

It has been great to view the number of photographs on Facebook this long weekend, of various Parish Pentecost activities.  I celebrated Pentecost in the Parish of Whitsunday.  It was a wonderful act of worship with two baptisms and six people being confirmed.  It is wonderful to see the number of adults coming forward for baptism and/or confirmation. 

The liturgical year can be broken up into two main parts.  The first half is focused on the earthly life and ministry of Christ.  The second half is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.  We are moving into the second half of this current liturgical year. 

Next Sunday is Trinity Sunday but it is also known as the First Sunday After Pentecost, (see page 39 of the Lectionary). In these Sundays we focus on living in the Spirit of the Living God.  Next week, the liturgical colour is white, for the Trinity, but after that it is green, green for growth.  We are to grow in the Spirit of God.  We are to grow in the strength of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that we can serve our Lord more effectively wherever we find ourselves.

Mossman/Port Douglas Parish:

It was announced on Sunday that The Reverend Kenneth Lay will be the new Rector of Mossman/Port Douglas as from the end of August this year.

Kenneth is currently the Vicar of Aberfeldie in the Diocese of Melbourne.  His parish is near the Tullamarine Airport.   Kenneth has served in the Diocese of Riverina for many years so he comes to us knowing the demands of distance as well as providing ministry in economically challenging areas.  Kenneth has been involved with a number of Church committees such as Liturgy, Education and Media. 

We welcome Kenneth to the Diocese and we assure him of our prayers at this time.

Charters Towers:

It was announced on Sunday that The Reverend Tom and Mrs Wendy hall will conclude their locum ministry at St Paul's' this coming Sunday.  I thank them for giving up nearly a year to provide ministry in the Diocese. During their time a new evening worship service was commenced, a Sunday School established, as well as outreach to those seeking to know Jesus Christ.  It has been a joy to see people come to faith and be confirmed.  Also, The Reverend Tom and Mrs Hall have added to the life of the Diocese generally.  It has been great to see the way they have supported diocesan ministry activities.  We pray that God will bless and strengthen them as they continue to serve our Lord, back in the Diocese of Brisbane.

Ordinations:

I will, God willing, be conducting the following ordinations this weekend, all are welcome to attend:-

The Rev Jo de Leeuw – Priesting.  St Barnabas Ravenshoe - 3pm Saturday 14 June

Preacher - The Reverend Canon Ian McAlister.

Mr Cameron Willis – Deaconing.  The Good Shepherd Edge Hill – 6pm Sunday 15 June

Preacher - The Reverend Trevor Saggers.

The liturgical colour is red.

Honours on this Queens Birthday Holiday - Mr John Langford of Anglicare Mackay as a Member (AM) in the General Division:

Some of the positions John held, and where he has served the community with distinction are:-

Regional Director, Anglicare Mackay Whitsunday Region, since 2006.

Regional Director, Centacare, Mackay, 1991-1998.

Professional and volunteer counsellor in the Mackay and mining communities, since 1991.

Advocate for the under-privileged in the Mackay Whitsunday region, 1991-2014.

Founder Director, Institute of Family and Community Life, 1999-2006; amalgamated with

Anglicare, 2006.

Principal Social Worker, combined Military forces, 1987-1991.

Executive Director, St Joseph’s Centacare Family Support Services, Tasmania, 1980-1987.

Founder, Langford Support Services in Tasmania; established the Community Hostels

Association (for the mentally ill) which is currently known as Langford Support Services; a

community service provider specialising in community-based integration of rehabilitation

programs for people with disabilities and mental illness, 1976-1987.

Principal Psychiatric Social Worker, Mental Health Services Tasmania, 1975-1980;

Psychiatric Social Worker, 1970-1973.

Director, Forster Parents Plan, Bali, 1973-1975.

Congratulations John and God bless you. 

Bishop John McIntyre:

At his family’s request, and so that his elderly parents can be present along with many of John’s former parishioners at Redfern, the funeral for Bishop John McIntyre will be at St Saviour’s, Redfern, at 11 am on Tuesday June 17. It will be followed by a private cremation at 3pm.

A Memorial Eucharist, at which it is hoped fellow bishops and other church leaders may be able to be present to celebrate Bishop John’s life and ministry, will be held on Friday June 20 at 1pm at St Paul’s Cathedral, Sale. Mrs Jan McIntyre and John’s children will be present and participating in this celebration.

On Thursday mornings there is a Eucharist in the Cathedral with special intention for the Diocese.  This week we will give thanks for the life and ministry of John McIntyre.  John had a very good theological mind.  He was a great advocate for the underprivileged as well as for our Aboriginal people.  In many ways John was a prophet.  He certainly had no trouble challenging injustices and asking the right questions to make people think and contemplate if they were truly serving our Lord. 

John will be missed in many areas including the bench of Bishops and Diocese of Gippsland.

We continue to assure his wife Jan and their children Paul, Jess and Lisa and their loved ones of our love and prayers at this time of grief and shock. 

Mr Chris Nelson:

Today Chris returns from the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney to Coffs Harbour by air transport.  He has had half the staples out and the remainder will be removed later in the week.  We give thanks to God for Chris' progress to date and we continue to pray he will gain his strength and make a full recovery. 

Please be assured of my prayers as we service our Lord.

Yours in Christ,

The Right Reverend William (Bill) Ray

Bishop of North Queensland