Diocesan Prayer Fellowship

In Famagusta the University fall Semester is about to commence and in the Church we can be anticipating the return of those who have been at home for the summer or the arrival of those who will be commencing their period of study at the Eastern Mediterranean University. Melding people from a variety of Christian traditions is always a challenge; I was particularly struck by a sentence from a prayer letter from the new Bishop of the Horn of Africa, the Rt. Rev'd Andrew Proud, where he said, "The Anglican Church, at its best, when it is being true to its calling and identity, holds two apparently radically different values in creative tension. Faithful to our catholic, apostolic roots, we strive to foster and encourage local churche4s, with inculturated liturgies, to do mission in their own way. That I think is the challenge for us here and elsewhere throughout the Diocese. Since the last notes appeared there were baptisms on Easter Day of three local people and three Africans; weekly prayer meetings are held on two days each week and teaching on the Ten Commandments using material from John on DVD, which sessions were astonishingly well attended, pushing to the limits the available space in our house and the use of 3 TV sets - one of which was donated by parishioners from our former parish of Ayia Napa.

Following requests, the autumn will see another Baptism class and teaching in all probability on 'What's so amazing about Grace' by Philip Yancey. We may have a new choir leader - but Samuel at the time of writing is still undecided about his future direction. And this week's special focus days remind us as we look at the Church, there has rarely been a time without controversy or opposition and Cyprian faced both - finally being martyred in 258. At the time of writing, one is reading with shock and horror at the decimation of the Assyrian Christian community in Iraq; one fears for what the situation might be by the time this is read. By contrast Holy Cross day is based upon a rather dubious myth of Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine 1, finding the 'true cross'. More likely it is that she found what were purported to be the sites of the crucifixion and burial and had the Church of the Holy Sepulchre constructed and which was consecrated on 14th September 335 AD. Although after all the destruction by the Romans in AD70 and the passing of time, nothing could be absolutely certain. That of which we must be certain and sure is our faith in our Lord and Saviour who assuredly died upon a cross for our sins. This gives us peace in the present and true hope for the future, come what may.

Thursday	Cyprian of Carthage
Friday	Holy Cross Day