Newsletter

Telephone: Telefax: Email: FROM:	NICOSIA 22671220 NICOSIA 22674553 georgia@spidernet.com.cy THE DIOCESAN OFFICE	2 Grigori Afxentiou P O Box 22075 NICOSIA 1517 Cyprus

_______________________________________________________________________________________ DIOCESAN NEWS JUNE 2007 - Postscript (Bishop Clive is honoured) _______________________________________________________________________________________ VACANCY IN SEE The two Archdeacons and their wives will be travelling to the UK at the end of June to meet with two Bishops who are short listed to be the next Bishop of the Diocese. The outcome of these meetings will then be shared with the other members of the Vacancy In See Committee who will then issue an invitation to the preferred person to become our bishop. That person will then be invited to visit Cyprus (along with his wife) and to other parts of the diocese if they wish, and he will then consider his response to our invitation. Should that prove positive his name will then be sent to all Synod members for approval, by email. Please pray for safe travelling and for a successful outcome of the meetings. STANDING COMMITTEE The Standing and Finance Committee met in Cyprus on 29/30th May. Some of the issues that were discussed were the finances of the Diocese, ways to make the accounts more easily understood and the administration of the diocese. Feedback from Synod 2007 was also discussed in the light of a survey launched by Canon Peggy McGinley immediately following Synod. Plans for the next session of Synod were also discussed. The next meeting of the Standing Committee is scheduled to be held in Cyprus on 26th September, 2007. CYPRUS ARCHDEACONRY FROM ST ANDREW’S CHURCH, KYRENIA: A new chaplain has been appointed in the chaplaincy. Michael and June Houston will come to the Diocese in September from Northern Ireland. FROM ST PAUL’S NICOSIA: Sue Place is currently undertaking a three month Parish Placement in the Diocese of Exeter. This time has been sandwiched between a residential module for her counselling course and a summer school, both at St. John's College, Nottingham. FROM AYIA NAPA: The Chaplain writes: As we embark on our new Mission here in the district we ask God that he will continue to bless us as we seek to minister in His name. I ask that the Churches within the Diocese pray for us here in South East Cyprus as we search for a new home in which we may worship and that we might be successful in maintaining the Wedding Ministry here. RETREATS: Monthly Quiet Days are now taking place at the Katafiyio Retreat House on the third Tuesday of every month from 10.00 a.m. to 3.45 p.m. ‘Space For God’ quiet days will be held at St George's Church, Troodos, on 16th June and 14th July, 10.00a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Please get in touch with Maggie or Judy if further details are required. (99-155092, retreats@spidernet.com.cy). Maggie’s work is being very much appreciated across the Diocese and now that she has been joined by Judy Cannan more work is being done. Katafiyio has had a good first year but as with all these ventures it is building up slowly. If any of the Chaplaincies feel able to financially support this important project we would be most grateful. A donation of C£ 200 from each Chaplaincy would enable Maggie and Judy to continue their work without having to constantly worry about income. Your help would be much appreciated. Steve GULF ARCHDEACONRY FROM QATAR: The Reverend Canon Bill Schwartz has been appointed as the next chaplain in Qatar. Bill and Edie will move from the Canterbury Group to Qatar at the beginning of October. FROM THE CANTERBURY GROUP: Please pray for the members of the Canterbury Group as they begin the search process for their new chaplain. FROM OMAN: Ben and Bobbie Chase leave Oman in a few days' time after an extended term as interim chaplain in Oman. Ben's presence in Oman has been most successful in helping the healing process after the departure of the previous chaplain. Please pray for the PCO and the Diocese as they continue the search for a new Anglican chaplain to join the team in Oman. We give thanks for Ben and Bobbie’s presence in the Diocese and wish them well as they return to the US. FROM BAGHDAD: We continue to watch in horror as the dreadful situation in Iraq continues to unfold. We pray for Andrew White in his continued care for the Iraqi Christians who meet at St George’s Baghdad painfully aware of their suffering. Andrew has informed us with great sadness of the death of Suad. She was married to one of the staff, Sabba, and a dear member of the congregation in Baghdad, a very longstanding and active member. They have eight children, the youngest being very ill and does not have long to live. Suad was badly burned last weekend and died a few days later. Please pray for Suad and her family in their time of despair. LOCUMS We give thanks for all the wonderful people who come to the Diocese to help during the summer months when chaplains take their home leave, and also to help in vacancies. We are especially grateful to Brigadier Nigel Speller for his help in finding locums whenever it is asked of him. WEBSITE Many of you may not be aware that the Diocese now has its own website (www.cypgulf.org). Please use this website to communicate news and information from your chaplaincy or organisation and make it widely known. Gloria and Derek Rea continue to be the webmasters and you can send your information by email to: grea@dgcbt.com The Diocesan Prayer Diary is listed on the website for your information. The new booklet has now been printed and is on the way to the chaplaincies and to the hundreds of Friends the Diocese has all over the world. VACATIONS As many of you will be preparing to take your summer leave, may we take this opportunity of wishing you God’s blessings on your travels. If you are in London in August, don’t forget the annual meeting of the Association of the Friends at All Hallows Church on Monday 6th August. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This is the first attempt at a Diocesan Νews Βulletin, which we hope will go out regularly. This is being done at your request, for better communication within the Diocese. For this exercise to work, we need input from you all. If you have any brief news and prayer requests you wish to share with the rest of the Diocese and the Province, please send them to: Georgia Katsantonis georgia@spidernet.com.cy Alan Hayday decani@batelco.com.bh Steve Collis thedean@spidernet.com.cy