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Obituaries

This year, yet again, was one in which a great deal has happened, and this must be a very selective report. There have been the usual comings and goings among the clergy. We welcomed Alan and Pam Hayday to Bahrain, and Clive and Marian Windebank to Abu Dhabi.

Comings and goings

Steve and Jo Wright have, with their family, just left Kuwait, and in September will be settling within the Chaplaincy of Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates. Steve will succeed Jim Wakerley at Jebel Ali when he and Carol retire to their native New Zealand at the end of January. Since Jim’s Ordination in the Diocese, he and Carol have been involved in a succession of pioneer ministries, in Aden, Ras Al Khaimeh and Jebel Ali. We thank them for the very significant service they have given to the Church in the Gulf and wider Diocese.

Colin and Irene Noyce left Aden in July. They will move to Limassol to succeed Michael and Jean Jones, who are retiring in September. Michael and Jean have made an enormous contribution to the Diocese, first in Kuwait and latterly in Limassol. They will be remembered not least for their enlivening of the Diocesan Synod. Bill and Jamila Atkins have just left Sharjah to take up new ministry in the Church of Ireland. We thank Bill for his dedication to the chaplaincy in the past six years and wish them both well in their new home.

Without the support of the Diocese of Exeter, and especially the tireless work of Brigadier Nigel Speller in arranging locum priests, the life of our Diocese would be infinitely poorer.

Three very special events

It was a great privilege to welcome the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams on his first overseas visit since assuming office. He confirmed a group of candidates at an inspiring service in Doha, with some 600 people crowding the school hall.

The second of the Muslim/Christian Dialogues, initiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury and Prime Minister Tony Blair, under the title ‘Building Bridges’, was held in Qatar at the invitation of His Highness the Emir. Fifteen Christian and fifteen Muslim scholars met to consider the use of scripture in the two faiths. There were several public lectures, and a great deal of interest.

In the Diocese, where we think quite often of new buildings, it was good to be reminded that several congregations have had, by the standards of this Diocese, a long life. So, it was a great joy to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of St Christopher’s, Bahrain, now our Gulf Cathedral.

Extension to St Barnabas' Limassol

The Church in Cyprus seems to grow and develop in every place. In Limassol we recently dedicated the extension to St Barnabas’ Church, which was a very happy occasion. It was a joy to see many of the Williamson family, who were closely associated with St Barnabas’ from its earliest days, and played their part in enabling the refurbishment and extension of the Church. New doors and a new font were also dedicated.

In Paphos, congregations continue to blossom, and the relatively new church of St Stephen is often full to capacity. Many new houses are being built; especially in the greater Paphos area, and the Church Council is looking at the implication for the Church there. Our visions are constantly being expanded, and we pray for courage to rise to the opportunities being presented.

One of the exciting events of life in Cyprus has been the opening up of travel across the Green Line. There have been amazing scenes of people from both the North and South of the Island seeing old homes. We hope and pray that this will be a prelude and a stimulus to a speedy and just settlement of the Cyprus issue for the benefit of all its native peoples.

Port of Aden at a standstill

Turning to the Gulf and the southernmost part of the Diocese, I have already noted that Colin and Irene Noyce left Aden at the beginning of July. With their departure, the British community of Aden was reduced by twenty percent, and the remaining eight people were not there all the time. There are very few other expatriates, and congregations have sometimes been reduced to single figures. At the time of the war in Iraq, the security situation was quite acute and it still requires vigilance.

The Port of Aden is virtually at a standstill, with only about three local ships coming in each month. When I visited in June, there was no sign of any great improvement. All this means that a new pattern must be established for chaplaincy provision, and we are working on this.

Needs of the Aden clinics

Meanwhile, the two clinics continue to serve a great need in the local area. We have a devoted local staff and the work of the clinics is an example of good practice for the whole region. We have been fortunate to have the visits of John Sandford-Smith, an ophthalmic surgeon, several times during the past year to perform operations. June saw a return visit of Dr Jan Tynovsky, who not only undertook operations in the clinic, but also trained and encouraged Yemeni ophthalmologists. He also went with some of them into villages nearby.

Our need now is for someone, or a succession of persons, to act as managers of the clinics. If anyone can suggest names, please let me know. This work is so significant that we must ensure that it continues and even develops modestly.

Aftermath of war in Iraq

Many of us hoped that the war in Iraq would not happen. Now that it has, we work urgently with the implications of its aftermath. Canon Andrew White of the Coventry Cathedral Ministry of Reconciliation has been into Iraq twice and held services in the Church. He and I remain in regular contact to exchange information and co-ordinate any ministry that is taking place. (See A Visit to Baghdad)

In Qatar, plans for the building of the Church are coming into their last stages. The war in Iraq caused slight delay, but it is hoped that work can begin on site in the Autumn. An Appeal Committee, under the chairmanship of Dr David Wright, former British ambassador in Qatar, has been meeting regularly at All Hallows, and imaginative plans are afoot.

Wave of prayer and support

Those of us who live and work in the Diocese are conscious that we are upheld by an enormous wave of prayer and support, and the active partnership of many groups and organisations. We are grateful for the generosity of the team and people of All Hallows by the Tower. This London base means an enormous amount to us. The annual meeting of the Friends of Cyprus and the Gulf is a visible symbol of so much that goes on in devoted service around the year.

We also remember with thankfulness the Jerusalem and the Middle East Church Association, Church Mission Society, the Mission to Seafarers, and the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, especially our friends in the Global Relations department. We thank too supporting friends in Australia, Canada and New Zealand. At the heart of it all is the Diocesan Office with that devoted team of people without whom the operation would not be possible. For their commitment, far beyond the call of duty, we remain very grateful.

People are at the heart of the life of the Diocese, and in them God has very richly blessed us.

Clive