Dear Friends

Canon Anne Watkins, the Diocesan Archivist, is retiring on 29 September 2021 after 15 years’ service in the Diocesan Office. She will be sorely missed but is not retiring from life, and we all look forward to her continuing in her active ministry at St Peter’s West End and with Mothers Union.

The Reverend Dr Theo van der Ness, who has recently arrived from New Zealand, will be commissioned as Chaplain of All Souls & St Gabriel’s School, and Curate of St Paul’s Church Charters Towers, on Friday 3^rd September at 11.30 am at the Chapel of All Souls & St Gabriel’s at 30 Dr George Ellis Drive, Richmond Hill (Charters Towers). Clergy who would like to attend are asked to contact Fr Kenneth Lay for further details: clergy will vest in alb & red stole (New Guinea Martyrs) but may be required to be seated on the verandah to meet COVID-19 regulations.

Mr Darren Fleming, Headmaster of All Souls & St Gabriel’s School will be retiring from the school, and his farewell will also be at the same service. Darren & Wendy have also been very active members of the congregation at St Paul’s Charters Towers, and we will miss both of them. Congratulations to Wendy on her appointment as the Dean of St Ann’s College at the University of Adelaide, and every blessing to them as they move south to Adelaide.

The Reverend Karen Allen will move from Atherton to the Burdekin, where she will take up appointments as the Priest-in-Charge of St Helen’s Home Hill, and Priest-in-Charge of All Saints, Ayr. Karen will be residing at the Rectory at Ayr. A commissioning service at each Parish is planned for October; further details will follow.

We mourn the death of Mrs Monica Amey, a long-time member of the Mothers Union at Bamaga. We commend Monica to our loving Lord, and pray for all those who mourn, including the members of Mothers Union.

We also mourn for Mrs Margaret Lindsay, mother and mother-in-law of the Reverend Ian and Maggie Lindsay of Gordonvale. May God’s love and comfort be with all those who mourn.

May God continue to bless you all,

Yours in Christ,

The Right Reverend Dr Keith Joseph
Bishop of North Queensland

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