No. 31/2014

Dear Members of the Diocesan Family

Updates:

The Reverend Angela Stanfield and her husband Matthew will be on the move to Holsworthy Army Base at the end of this month.

Recently Angela went before the Defence Force Chaplaincy Discernment Board and was successful.  We congratulate Angela and assure her of our prayers as she undertakes this new step in her journey with Christ.  We also assure Angela and Matt of our prayers as husband and wife, in their new appointment.

The Reverend Keith Dodds underwent hip replacement surgery recently.  We pray for good recovery.  We also pray for Keith's wife Marjorie who has gone into permanent care.

The Reverend Dr Geoff Holt is to undergo surgery tomorrow in relation to the unfortunate accident during the School Holiday programme that the Parish of North Mackay conducted during the September/October holiday break.

The Reverend Ian Eadie underwent surgery last month and is now progressing well in a moon boot and on crutches.

Mr Mike Kirby, the husband of The Reverend Maggie Kirby is undergoing surgery in Brisbane today.

We assure all these folk and others of our love and prayers at this time.

There are other people who are not well.  Some have asked me not to list them.  I am sure there are others that I am not aware of at the moment, who have undergone treatment and/or are unwell.

The Very Reverend Rod MacDonald is taking Long Service and Annual leave as from 16th of December.  We pray that Rod and Penny's time away will be relaxing, refreshing, stimulating, as well as safe. This leave was granted and approved quite some time ago.

Youtube:

I have made another Youtube - this time on Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. If you are interested you can find the link to the Youtube on the home page of our website at: www.anglicannq.org

Christmas Day is not a Public Holiday for the Ordained:

I have been made aware that some clergy will not be taking Christmas services in their parishes because they will be taking holidays.  As a result there will be no services in some parishes on Christmas Day.  This also means that some of our parishioners are denied Christmas worship.   I have been informed via the grapevine that some non stipendiary clergy view Christmas as a public holiday.  For all ordained people, there is no leave for Christmas, unless approved by the Bishop first.  The same is the case for Easter.

Christmas and Easter are key Christian festivals and clergy are expected to be in their parishes, so that people can worship on these key days.

I enclose a copy of Canon Twenty for your information.  At present Diocesan Council has appointed a committee to review all forms of leave.

Upcoming Dates:

18th December         ** End of Year Gathering at Bishop’s Lodge **  flyer attached

Clergy Retreat           26 – 29 January 2015 at St Mark’s College

Synod                          3 – 5 July 2015

Clergy Conference     6 – 9 July 2015

Pray you are having a holy and blessed Advent.

Yours in Christ,

The Right Reverend William (Bill) Ray

Bishop of North Queensland 

  Sexual Abuse contact line:  1800 839 839   or   07 3835 2266

Attachment: 31-2014 Parochial Clergy Annual Leave Canon

                       31-2014 Christmas Invite 2014