Although St. Andrew’s Church was extended in 2003 members of the congregation joke that it may need extending again if numbers at services continue to rise. It has been encouraging to read that the electoral roll has increased from 70 a year ago to 106 and that numbers at services average 145 a week. As well as its regular congregation St. Andrew’s has many holiday makers visiting the north but there are also increasing numbers of people from all parts of Britain who are moving there to set up permanent homes.

A memorial service was held for Canon Arthur Rider and his wife Doris who died within 40 days of each other both aged 95. Bishop Clive broke his holiday in the UK to attend the service at St. Andrew’s and preached most movingly. Several members of the Rider family were able to be present.

Two happy events have recently taken place.  In February, Marion Stewart was Licensed as a Reader and at the beginning of March the Rev’d Robin Brookes was Licensed to the Chaplaincy of St. Mark’s, Famagusta. Robin will be responsible for the eastern side of Northern Cyprus and the Karpas where there is fairly extensive construction taking place along the coast. The Licensing service was certainly a joyous occasion with exuberant singing from the Choir of the Famagusta Christian Fellowship (largely West African); this was contrasted by the soft singing of the Filipina girls’ chorus during the administration of Holy Communion.