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Record attendance at Synod

As I write, our thoughts are still filled with memories of our Annual Synod in January, as usual at the Lordos Beach Hotel, Larnaca. It was marked by a record attendance, observers outnumbering official representatives. That so many wished to come at their own expense is a continuing symbol of the interest that Synod arouses and the enjoyment of the Synod experience, Cyprus and the Gulf style.

Bishops of Exeter, Thika, and Cyprus & the Gulf and their wives

It was a particular joy to be able to welcome the Bishop of Exeter and his wife, and the Bishop of Thika, Mary his wife, and two other representatives. Also present were members of the Exeter/Cyprus and the Gulf Liaison Group, as always led by Brigadier Nigel Speller, and key members of the Exeter/Thika link. At the Synod Eucharist in St Paul’s Cathedral, Nicosia, we affirmed the covenant between the three Dioceses, which was initially made last year in Exeter Cathedral. The third round of this affirmation is due to take place in the Diocese of Thika at the beginning of September. Following Synod, a liaison group was established in the Diocese to further the three-way link between our Dioceses.

Highlights of Synod were the Quiet Morning, led by Bishop Michael of Exeter and the Devotional Addresses that he gave at the morning worship. Much appreciated, too, were the workshops led by Mrs Esther Langrish, on listening skills, and Catherine Graham on ministry to migrant workers, especially in the Gulf.

Another important decision of Synod was the appointment of a task force to make a thorough study of the Diocesan finances. I am particularly grateful to John Banfield for his generous offer to come to Cyprus in the spring to head up this task force. Our thanks, also, to the four members from Nicosia who make up with John the membership.

New ministries in Cyprus

Robin Brookes licensed by Bishop Clive in Famagusta		Newly licensed Michael Crawford with Jacqueline and Bishop Clive in Ayia Napa

In Cyprus, we are celebrating several new ministries. On 5th March, Michael Crawford was licensed as chaplain in Ayia Napa in the morning, and in the evening Robin Brookes was licensed as the chaplain in the newly constituted chaplaincy of Famagusta. What a joyful start to Lent! In Limassol, Rod and Beryl Price have now joined us. He is the full-time chaplain in Limassol now.

Mission to Seafarers 150th anniversary

The link with the Mission to Seafarers has been changed, so that there will now be a Mission to Seafarers chaplain linked to the Cathedral in Nicosia. This is an important development, which recognises the growth in Limassol and the need for a full-time chaplain. At the same time, the need of the Mission to Seafarers is affirmed with this particular way being a means to enable it to continue. In Bahrain, Victor Salve continues as Mission to Seafarers chaplain, but with a more specific concentration on ship visiting and with a strengthening of his ministry at the Cathedral.

At Synod, we learnt of exciting plans for the development of the Mission to Seafarers’ chaplaincy in the United Arab Emirates, by the provision of a boat, which will enable offshore ministry on the Eastern coast. This recalls the beginnings of the Mission one hundred and fifty years ago. We congratulation the Mission on their years of service to seafarers and their dependants.

Aden clinics welcome surgeons

The work at Christ Church, Aden, remains our main mission outreach within the Diocese. It was so good to have Peter and Nancy Crooks fully back in harness again and to know that the work proceeds unabated.

Visiting eye surgeons have been welcomed again, the usual faithful two, to whom we remain very grateful, and a visiting Egyptian eye surgeon and his anaesthetist colleague. They made a great impression on the work of the Clinics and the staff, and were a delight to have as part of the team. We are grateful to Bishop Mouneer for enabling this visit.

Hope that Baghdad congregation will decrease!

Despite all the difficulties in the situation in Iraq, life goes on at St George’s, Baghdad. The congregation is made up entirely of Iraqi Christians, who cannot easily get to their own churches. We have continued to assure the leaders of their churches that we are merely offering hospitality in the difficult situation, not seeking to detach them from their own churches, or to establish a separate Iraqi Anglican Church. We hope and pray that the situation will significantly improve, under a strong fully representative government for the sake of all the people of Iraq. When that begins to happen, the congregation of St George’s will rightly dwindle. I sometimes say that I must be the only Bishop who prays that the congregation will decrease!

Canon Andrew White tries to get into Baghdad every six weeks or so. He is not permitted to go outside the security zone and so cannot visit St George’s Church, where the Iraqi lay ministry team conduct services.

Two important developments have taken place during recent months. The first is that there is now a joint Church Council linking St George’s with the congregation that meets within the security zone. This is an attempt to maintain the unity of the church in a situation that is all too easily fractured. On two occasions now it has proved possible to hold a service at the Prime Minister’s office, which is on the edge of the security zone. People in the security zone can come to that but also a good number of people from outside can also get permission to attend. This has been cause for great rejoicing.

Meanwhile, we have been greatly encouraged by the concern and support of friends in the UK and Ireland and the USA who have helped us maintain what is quite a costly ministry.

We continue to be grateful for the support that is channelled to us through JMECA. Especially, we express our gratitude to the Chairman and Secretary, Richard Owens and Vanessa Wells and to the Directors for their ongoing support and concern.

In all the ups and downs of life and ministry, we are continually reminded that God is good and faithful. There are wonderful signs of God’s spirit at work among his people.

With our prayers and every good wish to you all,

Clive

Information on the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf