Olive Branch Summer 2014 - The Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and

SUMMER 2014
WALKS AROUND THE DIOCESE
Dean Chris Butt, from St Christopher’s
Cathedral, Bahrain, processing into
Exeter Cathedral where he preached
on April 27th.
A donkey and its young rider in the
grounds of Christ Church, Aden, on
Palm Sunday.
Palm Sunday walk in the grounds of St
Luke, Ras al Khaimah. The Revd Nelson
Fernandez leads the way.
A WAISTCOAT AND A WALK
by the Revd Canon Stephen Wright, Christ
Church, Jebel Ali.
The Revd Canon Stephen Wright, Christ
Church, Jebel Ali, wearing his Georgian
waistcoat that he plans to wear on his
Spanish walk. See his article on the
opposite page.
pg. 1
Last year I went on a ten day pilgrimage to Georgia
for my post Easter break which was wonderful.
You can see one of my souvenirs in the picture
here. The waistcoat is very warm so what better
place to test it out than another mountainous place
- the Pyrenees and Northern Spain. The parish has
given me a sabbatical after 11 years in Jebel Ali and
SUMMER 2014
the main event will be an 800km walk in October,
along the pilgrimage trail of the Camino de
Santiago from France to Santiago, just after the
provincial clergy conference in Egypt. Jo and I
used to walk together when we were courting and
Dubai's not really a place for that so, once we've
seen our youngest, Bethany, off to university, a
long walk together seemed be just the thing. I hope
we like each other at the end of it as much we did
before we were married (it's 30 years this summer).
Part of the challenge is to be internet and mobile
free for the whole walk. We might take a mobile so
we can be contacted by Bethany, in case of
difficulties settling back into the UK but not a smart
phone. I'm having withdrawal symptoms already.
dates are 19-21st May 2015. After the success this
year we do hope the numbers attending will be
good again next year. So do please make a diary
note right away.
____________________________________________
Arrangements are being made for the first Northern
Gathering of the Friends in York: a one-day
programme on Wednesday 22nd October when
Bishop Clive who lives nearby has agreed to
preside at the Eucharist. York has been chosen as it
is a lovely venue that may well be worth the trip
north for those who live down south. Do support
this new venture which has been organised by Ron
and Bernice Maitland who have retired from the
Canterbury Group to Yorkshire. They have offered
to assist in any way and we have invited them to
join our committee. I am pleased to report they
have agreed.
From the Chair, July 2014
by John Worton-Griffiths
2014 has been a year of change and things new, and
I am pleased to say encouraging and mostly good.
At the same time there has been some sadness, and
I must begin by remembering The Venerable
Michael Mansbridge.
Since Michael and his wife Fiona retired to the Isle
of Wight, Michael has been a supporter of the
Friends and followed news from across our
Diocese with great interest. He was an
encouragement to me as your Chairman, writing to
me regularly with feedback on our reports. In fact I
received a card in the black script he used in the
week he died. He had noted that Bishop Michael
was at King Edward, Jenny and I are from Barton
Peveril and he is from Tauntons, we’re all from
Southampton schools. It was good of him to
include us in such company!! Michael will be
especially remembered during our Eucharist at All
Hallows on 4th August when we hope his son
Steven will be with us. His wife Fiona continues to
be cared for in Woodside Hall nursing home Ryde.
The Friends were very well represented at the
Diocesan Synod in February in Larnaca. There
were nine Friends, committee members and their
partners, there for the week and clearly the support
of the Friends at Synod is much appreciated. It is a
very special gathering and much work goes into the
preparation and organisation.
This spring the Friends gathered at Launde Abbey
for the first time. We have included some of the
photographs taken during the gathering in this
edition, but I need to add that the feedback and
warmth of the gathering were so positive that we
were asked to book for 2015. The next available
pg. 2
We have timed this edition of the Olive Branch to
enable us to include news of the installation of the
Right Revd Robert Atwell as Bishop of Exeter. The
ties with our link Dioceses of Thika and Exeter
have been strengthened by reciprocal visits during
the past year. Dean Chris Butt was very well
received at Exeter and it was excellent that Bishop
Michael will be able to be present for the
installation.
The Membership of the Friends has held up
reasonably with new members joining. We could
do with more and we are endeavouring to ensure
that church members from across our Diocese
returning home are contacted at the appropriate
time. If you can help with this at your church do
please let Secretary Sally know. Repatriation is
always a busy time but people do respond to the
invitation to keep contact with the Diocese.
This year we have decided to separate membership
subscription renewal from the All Hallows
invitation. There has been much confusion in
previous years and as so many notifications now go
out electronically reducing the cost of postage we
felt a trial separation was worthwhile!!
We have also considered an alternative day for the
All Hallows Eucharist but August is the height of
the wedding season and with clergy and family
commitments we have decided to stay with the
Monday. After all everyone knows the Friends
gather on the First Monday in August at All
Hallows by the Tower. On 4th August some
churches are remembering the 100th anniversary of
the start of WW1 but Bertrand Olivier confirmed
there was no conflict with the Friends’ Eucharist.
We do hope to see you there.
SUMMER 2014
News from St Andrew, Kyrenia
The Revd Wendy Hough is presented to
Archdeacon John by George Ward, Warden.
THE REVD WENDY HOUGH – HER
FIRST 60 DAYS.
by George Ward, Warden, St Andrew Kyrenia
The Revd Wendy Hough was installed and
licensed as full-time priest of St Andrew's
Church Kyrenia two months ago.
Our
Archdeacon, the Venerable John Holdsworth,
conducted the licensing in the absence of
Bishop Michael who had to be away on
pressing church business. The installation was
attended by clergy from all over the island,
Revd Wendy’s supporters from St Mary
Redcliff Bristol, and also the local Muftu, a
gracious man. Thanks to the wonderful cooks
in the church, a great social get-together
followed in the church hall with the fellowship,
clergy and dignitaries from the local
community all mingling. It had been a day of
joy that Revd Wendy had arrived at last (her
arrival had had to be deferred from the
previous autumn for personal reasons) and
there was a sense of great expectation for the
future.
Time has raced by since then. 'Busy' would be
a gross understatement when describing
Wendy's impact in the community. In the
nominally but strengthening Islamic setting of
North Cyprus, Wendy has been out and about
every day meeting people in two vital contexts.
First, our fellowship of believers that is such a
broad spectrum of our Faith and a great
challenge to embrace as 'one body’, and
pg. 3
secondly key leaders of the local community
that include legal authorities: Muftu,
politicians and business people. You have to
look at all of this in the setting of the first
female minister of the Anglican Communion to
be appointed to lead a chaplaincy in this
Diocese within the Province of Jerusalem and
the Middle East.
Here in North Cyprus there is stability and
calm, but one has to note that efforts to reach a
peaceful agreement between north and south
Cyprus are currently very active and at times
strained as wounds and displacement are
remembered. A 100 miles further east, in Syria
and further east still, in Iraq, there is terrible
ferment and the most appalling civil atrocities
being perpetrated. Revd Wendy is deeply
interested in reconciliation and peace making
and so she has arrived in a context that will suit
her many gifts.
Wendy is the first 'full-time' Anglican priest in
Kyrenia. Historically, a bit of a 'Sleepy
Hollow'. St Andrew has always had, at least in
living memory, part-time or retired clergy and
so no incumbents have had the time to think
expansively about development of the church's
work in Kyrenia and along the north coastal
strip.
Throughout the years of 'part-time' clergy,
work in the community has generally been led
by committed groups from the church's
membership who have supported local
charities and seen the church refurbished and
extended some 14 years ago. There is a lot of
love in the fellowship. Now Revd Wendy has
arrived full of ideas and is developing a big
picture to connect more and more people to the
church here. Several working parties have
sprouted and there is an air of excitement as
planning for growth, community support and
worship development take shape. She holds the
view that a living, thriving church is active in
its community and the wider community in a
myriad ways not least in sharing the Gospel as
the church is able to within this society. Youth
work is one new initiative that is poised to take
off.
Revd Wendy has brought new energy and
vitality to Kyrenia and many in the church are
running to keep up with her. Long may this
continue. The future for St Andrew's is bright.
SUMMER 2014
Muftu sent the muftu of Kyrenia to join the
celebrations at the licensing of the Revd Wendy
Hough at St Andrew's.
Second from right is John Worton Griffiths, Jenny
Worton Griffiths is centre.
________________________________________
NOTICE FOR ALL FRIENDS
Friends of the Diocese - Autumn Service in
the North of England
Easter Day at St Andrew, Kyrenia. The Revd
Wendy Hough with Bishop Michael and his
father, John
Wednesday 22nd October 2014
Meet & Greet at the Bar Convent in York,
10am onwards with tea/coffee.
Eucharist in the Bar Convent Chapel, 11am.
Lunch in the Bar Convent Coffee Shop, 1pm.
Short walk to York Minster for a Guided Tour
at 3pm (1 Hour).
Short wash-up meeting of the day in Minster
Coffee Shop and depart before 5pm.
Local Information
The Bar Convent is near the Station and very
convenient for those travelling by train. Those
coming by car will find a number of (not
inexpensive!) car parks, see details on the Bar
Convent website. There are also good ‘Park &
Ride’ facilities into York from the ring-road.
Regarding those who may wish to stay
overnight in York, the Bar Convent has
a number of rooms which can be easily
booked online.
http://www.bar-convent.org.uk/
Other main attractions in York which are well
worth a visit are the Yorvic Centre, National
Railway Museum and (weather permitting)
one can enjoy a walk on the Roman Wall.
________________________________________
On 2 April Bishop Michael had a meeting that
turned out to be both dignified and friendly with
the senior Muslim religious authority in Cyprus, the
Bas Muftu (Grand Mufti), Dr Talip Atalay. He heard
how Dr Atalay has been contributing to crosscommunity contacts on the island, especially with
religious leaders including representatives of the
Orthodox Church of Cyprus. Subsequently the Bas
pg. 4
Association of Friends of the Diocese of
Cyprus and the Gulf
Annual General Meeting and Celebration
Eucharist
Monday 4th August 2014
All Hallows By The Tower
Byward Street, London EC1
------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMER 2014
St John the Evangelist Deryneia. The first
confirmation ever.
Peter Cartland, Tracy Grist, Robert Hiner and Janet
Phillips with the Revd Canon Paul Mayfield,
Reader Bill Garrett and Bishop Michael.
Daphane in Doha
Another first confirmation at St Lazarus,
Pissouri. Karen and Drew Elgeti, and
Zoe Branfoot from Acrotiri were
confirmed. They are seen here with the
Revd Canon Derek Smith, wardens
Pamela and Stanley, Reader Chris and
Bishop Michael.
Confirmation
Services
instrument of mission
as
an
by the Revd Canon Derek Smith, St Barnabas
Limassol
Bishop Michael commented that he had taken
8 Confirmation Services in St. Barnabas’
Limassol. My responses to this included
checking the register to see if he had included
the hospital bedside service, gratitude, guilt
and reflection.
Also confirmed in Doha were Deepak and also
Immu, son of Fr Jebaraj, seen here with Fr Bill,
Reader Edith, and Bishop Michael.
pg. 5
He had not included the hospital bedside
service, which actually makes it 9. Guilt was
the thought that if I had organized candidates
in slicker groupings I could have saved the
Bishop a journey here or there. His phrase of
wanting to be “flexibly responsive” was
genuinely helpful, even if partly tongue in
cheek. It is so reassuring to hear a Bishop offer
to travel for the Confirmation of just a
candidate or two at the right stage of their life’s
journey. That is always a spiritual journey and
may often be a physical journey, given that we
live in a place of perpetual movement and
change. Our most recent pair of candidates had
a father working in Saudi Arabia and an
imminent emigration plan between them. Each
candidate knows that when the Bishop
announces “God has called you by name and
SUMMER 2014
made you His own,” he really believes that to
be true and is acting upon it.
One candidate could not make a changed date
for her service, and was confirmed on a Sunday
afternoon, the one time she could be free from
work commitments. It spoke volumes to a
migrant worker ill and far from home that her
Bishop travelled through wind and storm to
confirm her with a handful of friends in
support. For such memories we are genuinely
grateful.
So, what reflections do I have on the
remarkable series of Confirmation services? It
is strikingly different from my experiences in
England where Confirmation became more
and more remote from individual parishes.
There are practical reasons, of course, why all
this is so. Dioceses in different parts of the
world are not comparable. Even in our own
diocese what is feasible in Cyprus may be
totally different from the Gulf.
So, I have begun to experience the very service
of Confirmation as a powerful instrument of
mission. The Bishop visits one of his churches
and prays for young people and adults taking
their next step of faith, and others are moved.
When one person is confirmed another is
prompted to ask about their own Confirmation.
So, I begin to discern this knock on process of
people asking about their own faith. It is not
the right time or step for everyone, but the
exploration matters too. One lady from a
Baptist background, for example, attended the
preparation in order to understand what
Anglicans meant by Confirmation. Her faith
was a source of strength to the people
alongside whom she explored. In the event it
was not the right step or the right time for her,
but she gave and received so much because the
question was there to be asked.
So, having had a Confirmation last month we
need to book another. Our most eager young
candidate has been straining at the leash to get
confirmed for some while now. When she
kneels for anointing, the laying on of hands and
prayer, who else will be touched by God? We
don’t yet know, but we are learning to
pg. 6
approach these occasions with greater
expectancy.
(Editor’s Note: The confirmation at St Lazarus
makes it number ten for the Limassol
Chaplaincy)
A notice from Archdeacon Bill
Dear friends and colleagues
In anticipation of a change in my role at the end of
this year, and as part of clearing the way for a
successor chaplain at the Church of the Epiphany
I have decided to phase out using both the
"[email protected]" and
"[email protected]" email addresses - both
of which should rightly be used by the new priest
when he takes up his new position. I sincerely
hope that creating a significant time lag between
when I stop using those addresses and when my
successor starts - will minimise potential
confusion in the future.
Please note my new 'send' address is
< [email protected] > which Nick
Truscott has helped me open. I will start using that
for all "work" correspondence from now on.
I will continue to receive emails at the other
addresses for the foreseeable future but will
endeavour to send new emails and respond to
received emails with the new one, making the
"reply" function easier for everyone.
________________________________________
Mission to Seafarers’ Chaplain to Cyprus – Ken
Wiseman with Reader Bill Garrett, enjoying a
gathering at Bishop’s House, Nicosia.
SUMMER 2014
NEWS FROM THE PAPHOS CHAPLAINCY
The Installation and Licensing of the Revd
Nicholas Denny-Dimitrou as Senior Priest in
the Anglican Church of Paphos. Ayia KiriakI,
18th January, 2014.
Then on March 16th the Revd Andrew
Symonds was welcomed to the Paphos team.
He is seen here with his wife Rosemary,
Archdeacon John and Bishop Michael.
A personal perspective on Paphos
Chaplaincy 2013
by the Revd Kay Watters, Priest with PTO
Jesus stills the storm - when I was training we
were encouraged to liken our everyday
situations to passages in the Bible. Well, to
me, 2013 has been akin to our Lord stilling the
waves of dissent and hurt which so many of our
people in Paphos had been feeling, by the
actions of others both in word and deed.
During the service Revd Nic’s wife, the Revd
Julia joins her husband for the Bishop’s
blessing and to receive her Permission to
Officiate (PTO).
pg. 7
Then, on the horizon appeared Canon Ian and
Penny Calder and we settled back down into a
pattern of teamwork which we had been
missing. We were travelling in calm waters
again and we do thank them for bringing
stability and normality to our work and
worship, both of which continue to flourish.
So many of our parishioners are involved in
‘good deeds’ with others in mind, and much of
our worship this year has been memorable,
especially in Holy Week and Easter and, of
course, our open air worship both in Peyia
Forest for Ascension Day, in Polis for our
SUMMER 2014
Songs of Praise and Carol Singing as we
approached Christmas with joyful celebration.
The good deeds have taken on a new meaning
in Cyprus this year with the financial crisis
which has touched everyone, and I should like
to give a special mention to all those who have
worked so hard to keep our Hospice going after
we learned that, sadly, it could no longer
operate out of the Evangelismos hospital. But
God, as ever, sees all, and St George’s, also in
Paphos, came to the rescue and now the
rebuilding of staff and confidence has begun.
Revd Sue Place continues her precious work
with patients, families and staff, and the
management team. And the oh so many
volunteers who never seem daunted by
whatever obstacles appear, and continue their
sterling support of the venture.
This, however, was not the only blow to all of
us in Paphos Parish this year, because in
August, after a short but distressing illness, our
dear friend and colleague, the Revd John
Wash, died after an operation. We shall miss
him for many years to come, his impish sense
of humour, his quiet determination, and his
gentle leading of our Maundy evening service
at St Luke’s will be hard to follow. Our hearts
and prayers go out to Marieanne and his
family.
Having steadied the ship for us Ian and Penny
left with our thanks to return to the UK in the
Autumn, and the congregations and Worship
Team continued to work tirelessly to
demonstrate we no longer felt rudderless and
that our work of praise and thanks to our loving
God through our worship and Christian charity
to those around us could and would reach new
heights.
It became very clear to our
congregations that more and more assistance
was needed by so many because of the
financial constraints which continued to affect
old and young, and food banks and practical
help are being given widely across the area.
pg. 8
Our Christmas Fayre projects continued to
receive dedicated attention throughout the year
so that Cypriot charities could benefit from our
efforts on the big day, and our Christmas
services were memorable and moving and we
are so grateful to both Bishop Michael and
Archdeacon John for continuing to give us all
the support and encouragement we needed,
including a brief spell of assistance from
Archdeacon Malcolm and Buzz, who turned
the chaplaincy house oven into a tardis with the
wonderful meals which kept appearing course
by course from its tiny interior.
So, how do I round off my thoughts for a
memorable and challenging year?
First a
thank you to everyone who has kept the faith
with us and helped us avoid a Titanic situation.
And now we look forward to a new beginning
for 2014 when Revd Nic and Revd Julia,
together with Hannah and Joshua will be
joining us, and then Reverend Andrew and
Rosemary will augment our parish needs. So
my hope is that Paphos Parish will be bold with
its new leadership, and be prepared to ‘get out
of the boat’ and follow where God is leading
us.
From a very personal point of view, my one
sadness for the coming year is that Max and I
have decided it is time to return to the UK we keep reminding ourselves that we came to
Paphos to retire, albeit quite pleased that
Bishop Clive granted me permission to
officiate, which Bishop Michael has graciously
continued - and, although we have been
challenged over the past seven years, it has
been a wonderful, sometimes frustrating and
tiring ‘retirement’ but full of joy too, and we
have made so many friends throughout the
Diocese that we shall continue to watch and
pray for you all as you flourish in this
fascinating, and astonishingly important, part
of God’s kingdom on earth.
SUMMER 2014
velit
esse cillum
fugiatHotel,
nullaLarnaca,
pariatur.
In March
at thedolore
Lordoseu
Beach
Bishop Michael hosted a meeting of the Core
Excepteur
Group ofsin
the United Society (now known for
Theid
Revd
Kay, Paphos, with Mrs Beryl Price
anim
est laborum."
whose husband Rod used to be the priest in
charge of St Barnabas, Limassol. Rod and
Beryl now worship mainly at St Lazarus.
Below the Revd Kay with the Revd Julia.
The Revd Kay will be much missed in the
diocese. She travelled to Hurghada for the
last Provincial Clergy gathering where she
was the first female priest to take part in a
Provincial Eucharist. She also travelled to
Bahrain to support the Revd Jo Henderson
on her priesting and to welcome the Revd
Deborah to the diocese. And on a personal
note the editor will miss her smile and
support. Thank you Kay!
pg. 9
short as Us. and formerly the United Society
for the Propagation of the Gospel, USPG) to
plan worldwide Anglican mission initiatives
and programmes. Left to right: Canon Chris
Chivers, Chair of Trustees; Rachel Parry, senior
staff member; Janette O'Neill, Chief Executive;
Bishop Michael, Archdeacon Dr Rienzie Perera
of the Church of Ceylon.
In January Bishop Michael and Julia and the
Revd Ruwan Palapathwala from Holy Trinity,
Dubai were invited to attend the Church of
South India Synod in Vijayawada on the East
coast of India. Below are a series of pictures
chosen to give you a flavour of the occasion.
The garlanding of the new Moderator was
amazing as was the enthusiasm of everyone in
attendance. Bishop Michael gave the Bishop
Hollis annual lecture which is included as a
supplement to this issue of the Olive Branch.
Enjoy!
The synod was held in a huge marquee. The
opening ceremony involved drums, dancing
and young people bringing saplings for
planting. The women in orange are members
of the Women’s’ Team who go out to help
other in their communities, and those in
purple are the Sunday School Teachers.
SUMMER 2014
________________________________________
C O Nquis
G R nostrud
A T U L Aexercitation
T I O N S ! ullamco
minim veniam,
Firstly to Felicity Christofides on the
publication of her book “A Small but Suitable
Church: The Early Years of the Anglican
Church in Cyprus 1878 – 1901”
ISBN Number 9 789963 201624
This book is a beautiful thing in itself with
illustrations, lists of Centres for Research, and
a very full Bibliography. For those of us who
know the places mentioned it gives a new
insight into their history and the wonder of
Cyprus. Getting to know the early clergy
through the book has to be a privilege for
everyone. Footnotes are at the bottom of each
page which makes life easier for the avid
reader. It would make a wonderful gift.
Felicity studied aspects of the British Empire
at Manchester University during her History
degree. She moved to Cyprus in 1980 where
she attended St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral.
She came to realise the importance of the years
1878-1901 for the Anglican Church and was
determined to study the period when time
allowed.
Any profit that the book makes will be donated
to the Anglican Church in Cyprus.
The selling price is €45 but for readers of the
Olive Branch and friends of the Diocese
generally it is discounted to €35 or the sterling
equivalent of £30, and purchased through
Felicity at:
[email protected]
pg. 10
SUMMER 2014
Then there are two sets of grandparents to be
congratulated:
The Revd Canon Derek Smith and Mrs Sue
Smith on the birth of Samuel Paul Smith on
Ascension Day, 29th May, weighing in at 10 lb
12 oz. He was 60 cm long, and was the biggest
baby the midwife had delivered in the Royal
United Hospital, in Bath. He is brother to
James aged seven and Lottie aged five, who
chose the names of their new sibling.
His proud parents are Tom Smith, younger son
of Sue and Derek, and his wife Katie. Derek is
parish priest of St Barnabas and St Lazarus
churches in Limassol and Pissouri, Cyprus.
Sam will be baptised at St Luke's Church,
Bath, on 7th September.
The picture shows Lottie, Granny Sue with
Sam aged four days, and James.
Also having a new grandchild to celebrate are
Canon John and Mrs Mary Banfield.
Arabella Eveleigh Russell Banfield was born
on February 12th, in Portsmouth. She weighed
9lb 6oz. Her proud parents are John and
Mary’s son Stephen and his wife Georgina.
Arabella will be baptised on her father’s ship.
If you would like a notice included in
Congratulations, email
[email protected]
pg. 11
Finally to be celebrated are Peter and Joy Day
from St John the Evangelist, Deryneia. Peter
and Joy recently celebrated their 45th wedding
anniversary. Peter is a licensed reader and a
musician. He plays for most of the services in
their church. Joy is a talented artist, designing
and making mosaics for furniture and walls.
Peter and Joy are lucky to have their daughter
and grandsons living nearby in Cyprus.
SUMMER 2014
NEWS FROM FRIENDS’ GATHERINGS AT
EXETER AND LAUNDE ABBEY
EXETER
by Dean Chris Butt,
Cathedral, Bahrain.
St
Christopher’s
On the Sunday after Easter, prior to leading
sessions at the Spring gathering at Launde
Abbey I preached at the Sunday morning Sung
Eucharist in Exeter Cathedral, which is a little
larger than St Christopher's, Bahrain!
Following the service I was invited to speak
and answer questions about Bahrain and the
Ras Morbat Clinic, Aden which is generously
supported by Exeter Cathedral. There were
several people who had spent time in the
Gulf/Middle East, who asked some searching
questions.
One of the joys of the visit was staying with the
Revd Chas and Jo Deacon, who foster the link
with our Diocese with such enthusiasm,
meeting several of their parishioners, getting a
feel for Chas' ministry in Shiphay on the
fringes of Torquay and understanding his deep
rootedness in South Devon, where his father
had also served in ministry. After the persistent
desert brown of Bahrain, the experience of
walking beside a rushing stream through green
fields on the edge of Dartmoor was almost
overwhelming.
Included here are photos of Dean Chris in the
cathedral and speaking in the Chapter House.
Dean Chris in the procession is on the front
page.
pg. 12
SUMMER 2014
Ordinary”. Chris gave us much to think about
and the Bible Study for me was particularly
good and helpful. It was a real joy to have our
thoughts directed in this way and I am sure we
were all most grateful to Chris for his
thoughtful input.
Report on the Gathering of “The
Friends of Cyprus and the Gulf”
Launde Abbey-29th April to 1st May
2014
by the Revd Canon Ian Calder
This was the first time Penny and I had
attended a Spring Gathering of the Friends and
it was also the first time this event had taken
place at Launde Abbey in Leicestershire. I had
been to Launde Abbey before some years ago,
but the approach through the countryside and
over the hill looking down on the Abbey, was
just as impressive as I had remember it; what a
situation with a real sense of being away from
it all and in a holy place!
A warm welcome awaited us from those who
had already arrived and from the house staff
who looked after us very well over the two
days.
Three themes ran through our stay, the first
was the worship, organised and led by
Archdeacon John Holdsworth. We enjoyed a
great variety of morning and evening worship
with a Eucharist on the Thursday morning.
Thanks to the Revd John Ablett on the organ,
we managed to sing with gusto in all the
services as well as have a prayerful time. In
many ways the worship cemented our time
together and many thanks to all who
contributed to this aspect of the two days.
Secondly we were ably led by Dean Chris Butt
from Bahrain, through two meditations and a
Bible Study on the theme of “Heaven in the
pg. 13
The third theme which ran through our time
together was the friendship and fellowship that
we shared over meals and other times of
refreshment. Penny and I met one or two
people who we already knew, but we also got
to talk to a number of others whose company
we very much enjoyed as well. What a
wonderful mixture of people we are and what
stories people have in their connections with
this remarkable diocese.
The stay seemed much longer than two days,
but all too soon we were heading home,
enriched by our experience and looking
forward to going again next year. Launde
Abbey was an excellent venue and the two
days ran very smoothly indeed. Our thanks
must also go to John Worton-Griffiths and
Sally Milner, along with all the members of the
Committee, for organising this very successful
gathering.
A variety of photos are included for your
enjoyment.
SUMMER 2014
REMEMBER TO BOOK YOUR
PLACE FOR THE LAUNDE
ABBEY SPRING GATHERING
OF
THE FRIENDS
19-21st May 2015
CONTACTS AND ENQUIRIES TO:
Sally Milner
Hon. Secretary
The Association of Friends of the Diocese of
Cyprus and the Gulf
[email protected]
GOODBYE! It is with great sadness that
we say ‘goodbye’ to the Revd Zinkoo Han, at
present parish priest / chaplain of St Mark
Famagusta. He goes to be parish priest of
Kidman Park and Mile End in the Diocese of
Adelaide, South Australia, where he will
serve the churches of the Resurrection and St
James.
pg. 14
SUMMER 2014
NEWS FROM ST BARNABUS, LIMASSOL with
ST LAZARUS, PISSOURI
St Barnabas, Limassol
A Lovely Problem
by Charles Dodd, warden.
It’s a problem, but a lovely problem to have –
that’s what we used to say a little wryly about
the overcrowding at St Barnabas’ in Limassol.
In spite of an extension to the nave ten years
ago and the addition to the chaplaincy of a
daughter church in Pissouri, there were many
occasions when the congregation just didn’t fit
in (fit in physically to the pews and chairs, that
is) but spilled out to the sloping space beyond
the doors at the east end of the church, even on
some very hot or wet days. The time had come
to build another extension. It has taken three
years to move from the first discussions in the
council and the enthusiastic endorsement by an
AGM, starting with back-of-the-envelope
sketches, then translating these into
professionally drawn designs, through many
months of acquiring planning permission and
satisfying
local
building
regulations,
meanwhile obtaining grants – and a legacy and
a bequest – and much additional fund-raising,
through dedicated work by a splendid architect
and a very dependable contractor, a
painstaking quantity surveyor and an
experienced civil engineer, through summer
months of dust and heat trying the patience of
everyone until the dedication of the new
extension by Bishop Michael on 2nd March this
year.
We were very blessed all the way along this
journey. From the outset we had a superb
architect, Irmgard Gassner Mavrommati, a
member of the German Church which uses St
Barnabas’, and we chose a first-class builder,
Yiannakis Konnaris, who had worked on
stone-built churches. He built the walls of the
extension using only stones taken from the old
south wall.
pg. 15
The extension is to the south side of the
original church, considerably enlarging the
small transept, and adding about forty more
seats for the congregation. It has also been
possible to widen the aisle (so that wedding
couples can now walk down side by side!) and
also to add a second aisle in the new part of the
church. The project ran to budget, and there
has been enough left to re-carpet the whole
church. A member of the congregation has
paid for ten new pews, which have been made
in the same style as the existing ones by a
craftsman working in one of the mountain
villages.
Of course, there were snags (such as
inadvertently now and then blocking access to
the chaplain’s house when work was in
progress) and occasional setbacks (as when
part of the original south wall crumbled
suddenly and needed urgent support). But the
result is well worth the endeavour, worth all
the hard work and the careful bringing together
of much effort and talent. The renewed St
Barnabas’ is a brighter, airier, more
comfortable and even more welcoming church.
Among
several
almost
incidental
improvements, the two stained glass windows,
moved from the old to the new south wall, have
become an especially striking feature flooding
the space with light.
By God’s grace, the lovely problem at St
Barnabas’ has been lovingly solved.
A selection of photos from March 2nd 2014
can be seen below.
SUMMER 2014
The photos show:
Bishop Michael, Canon Derek, Reader Chris
Blessing the new extension
Organist and his wife
Previous Chaplain Rod Price and Reader Chris
Warden Charles with the builder
Old friends return
Builder, warden, cake, bishop, architect
ONE EYE ON THE COUNCIL
including “What is a Quorum?”
by Charles Dodd, Warden, St Barnabas
Limassol
“How many makes a quorum?” is a question
best settled well before a meeting, indeed it’s
an important part of the initial procedure for
setting up any committee. The notion that a
quorum is “as large a number as can be relied
on to turn up fairly regularly unless the weather
is bad or there is something better to do” is a
whimsical definition which would soon
pg. 16
SUMMER 2014
frustrate the business of St Barnabas’ Anglican
Church.
No, the quorum for the Council, as stipulated
in the Constitution, is four members, of whom
two or more must be elected councillors (this
means, if only for this purpose, that the clergy,
wardens and any co-opted members would not
be necessary or sufficient). A glance through
the Constitution reveals a few more references
to quorums. For example, an extraordinary
meeting of the Council (if ever called) would
require five members to request it (but then
presumably only four to be present to make up
a quorum). And the revised rules for quorums
of meetings of the chaplaincy/parish are also
quite specific: for an annual general meeting to
go ahead, at least a quarter of those registered
on the electoral roll must be present.
The Constitution also usefully spells out what
the requirements are before any changes to the
Constitution can be adopted – something to be
borne in mind at this year’s AGM. After
consideration by the Council and comments
from the Bishop, any amendments will be
endorsed only with the agreement of twothirds of those on the electoral roll present and
voting at an annual general meeting (or at an
extraordinary general meeting called for the
purpose). So, by definition, such a meeting
would satisfy the rule on quorums, two-thirds
being a greater fraction than one quarter.
I don’t recall any occasion when the Council
has met with too few present to make up the
necessary number. Under generally accepted
rules, in such a case the meeting would
probably have to be abandoned or deferred – or
at least would have to avoid taking a vote on
any matter which might lead to a decision. Of
course, now and then one or two of us are away
and can’t get to a meeting. This happened
when the Council met on 15th January (the only
occasion at the time of writing). Both the
Treasurer and the Secretary had to miss the
meeting, but on their behalf others were able to
report on finances and to write up the minutes.
We heard that the financial situation is
satisfactory. It is particularly pleasing that all
the costs of the extension have been covered by
donations and grants, with enough left to recarpet the church. On other financial matters,
we noted that, as with other churches on the
pg. 17
island, there is not likely to be any liability for
immoveable property tax; there was a
unanimous decision to save several hundred
euros a year by cancelling the expensive
though unattractive advertisement in the
Cyprus Weekly; and we decided not to proceed
with an earlier proposal to set up a sterling
bank account. The Council had already taken
a preliminary look at the budget for 2014, a
subject to be given very close attention at the
next meeting in preparation for the AGM. At
the January meeting we also spent a little time
reflecting on the Diocesan budget, noting the
commitment for St Barnabas’ Church to
contribute eight thousand euros this year.
The ten new pews bought with a specific
donation had been installed and were being
varnished. Plaques in recognition of grants,
donations and a bequest would be designed
shortly, in time for the dedication by the
Bishop on 2nd March. Members discussed the
arrangements for this significant occasion and
for a modest lunch to follow the service.
Besides the extension, there were several
fabric matters. Some of the persistent storage
problems had been solved with the purchase of
a shed (sensitively concealed behind the
garage) and with the addition of cupboards to
the store room, some donated and some reconstructed; work was starting on moving the
metal fence and gate next to the house to give
access to the outside toilet and improve the
security of the house; the organ had been
moved a couple of times to improve the sight
lines and give the organist a better view of the
preacher and celebrant; tenders were out for
essential work on the overgrown trees on the
perimeter of the site. Altogether this had been
a very busy time for the Fabric Member and his
small committee.
Casting about for something to grumble at
(without which no Council meeting can feel its
work is complete), we could think of nothing
better than the perennial problem of car
parking. After about ten minutes, with some
quite rowdy exchanges, we ended the meeting
with the problem still pending.
With only one more meeting scheduled before
the AGM, we noted some of the changes to be
expected in membership of the Council; both
the Treasurer and the Fabric Member must
SUMMER 2014
stand down having served the maximum
permitted number of four consecutive years.
There will, of course, be others joining the
Council to make up a quorum. Meanwhile,
the writer of this report is now logging off. It’s
certainly time to get some shut-eye.
(Editor’s Note: Charles is not only a warden,
but he is the checker for the Olive Branch
issues and Chair of the Cyprus Oxford Society.
All in all a very busy man, to whom the editor
is grateful!)
_______________________________
NEWS FROM KUWAIT
Meeting with the chairman of the Islamic Christian
Relations Council in Kuwait.
Meeting with Archbishop Peter Rajic, Apostolic
Delegate to the Arabian Peninsula.
Bishop Michael flew to Kuwait on 20 March
where he was warmly greeted by the priest the
Revd Harrison Chinnakumar. On the Friday at
St Paul, Ahmadi eight candidates were
confirmed, of whom three spoke English and
five Mandarin. In the evening a further five,
all Pakistanis, were presented at the Urdulanguage eucharist in Kuwait City.
On Saturday morning the bishop spent time
with the Chinese section of the congregation,
pg. 18
and in the evening presided and preached at the
Tamil-language service.
Sunday saw a meeting with the Revd Amanuel
Gharib,
the
leading
Kuwait-born
Christian. Then Bishop Michael paid a call on
the British ambassador, where national and
regional matters were aired, and finally on the
CEO of the Kuwait Oil Company to thank him
for significant improvements to the building of
St Paul's. He ended the day with a reflective
celebration in church.
Finally on Monday, following a meeting with
a Shi'a scholar and coffee with the Papal
Nuncio, the bishop inaugurated the Diocesan
Theological Educators Forum on the first day
of its first meeting. He welcomed four
theological college and course Principals from
both the UK and India and a selection of our
own clergy, led by Archdeacon John
Holdsworth. The Forum continued after
Bishop Michael left for a visit to part of the
Canterbury Group.
_____________________________________
NEW BISHOP INSTALLED IN EXETER
CATHEDRAL
by the Revd Charles Deacon, Exeter Link
SUMMER 2014
On Saturday the 5th of July the Diocese of
Exeter was thrilled to witness the Installation
of the 71st Diocesan Bishop at The Cathedral
Church of St Peter in the heart of Devon’s
capitol city. The Right Reverend Robert
Atwell was truly made welcome.
Previously Bishop Robert was vicar in
Primrose Hill, London, a Benedictine abbot for
10 years, and latterly Bishop of Stockport in
the Diocese of Chester.
About 1800 folk gathered on a sunny, warm
and dry day. Those unable to squeeze inside
the Cathedral were the first to see Bishop
Robert as he made his way from a small church
- St Stephen’s, across the green from the High
Street. Kneeling to pray outside the Cathedral
he was greeted by the Dean, the Very Revd
Jonathan Draper as the ceremony commenced.
Among the congregation were representatives
from many local denominations as well as the
Church of England. Representing the
Archbishop of Canterbury, was the
Archdeacon of Canterbury and from St Pauls
Cathedral, the Dean; among the Bishops from
Chester, Bristol, Southampton, Truro and
many.
Others had travelled many thousands of miles.
These included brothers and sisters from our
overseas links. Archbishop David from the
Solomons and Bishop Julius and his wife from
Thika, Kenya were in attendance
The greatest thrill for me personally was to see
our own Companion Link Bishop, the Rt Revd
Michael Lewis, pray the ancient collect of
Leofric over Bishop Robert, on behalf of all
our visiting Bishops. Bishop Leofric was the
1st Bishop of the Diocese in the mid-11th
century!
pg. 19
We believe that Bishop Robert will lead the
people of God deeply into prayer and the
mission of God here and we shall be
encouraging him as he makes relationships
with all the partners of our 3-way link. Cyprus
and the Gulf-Thika- Exeter. Please do pray for
Him as he begins!
SUMMER 2014
Left Mrs Beulah
Miller, PA to the
Dubai, Holy Trinity
Team.
You do not need to sign a Gift Aid form
each year, if you have not signed one please
e mail me for one and fill in and include
with your cheque:
Below Mrs Georgia
Katsantonis and Mrs
Anetta Stylianou, PAs
to Bishop Michael
Mrs Sally Milner, Honorary Secretary,
Friends of the Diocese of Cyprus and the
Gulf, 123 Barnett Wood Lane, Ashtead.
KT21 2LR UK.
Member(s) Name:
______________________________
Address: ____________________
Email: _______________________
Subscriptions:
Couple £22 ______
Single £15
______
Donation: __________
ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF
THE DIOCESE OF CYPRUS AND
THE GULF
Subscriptions to the Friends for the year
2014/15 are now due and will be £22 per
couple or £15 single. The attached form can
be used to renew your membership or to
join.
Please read carefully the note below about
Gift Aid and who to make your cheque
payable to.
As we are able to collect Gift Aid we need
to make sure that cheques are correctly
received. If you are a taxpayer in the UK
cheques are payable to:
Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf
Endowment Fund.
If you are not a UK taxpayer they are
payable to:
The Friends of the Diocese of Cyprus and
the Gulf.
pg. 20
Total:
__________
_______________________________________
Contents Pages
Walks around the Diocese
From the Chair
St Andrew’s Church Kyrenia
Autumn Service in the North
Confirmations
A notice from Archdeacon Bill
The Paphos Chaplaincy
Meeting of USPG
CSI Synod
Congratulations
Friends at Exeter/Launde Abbey
Goodbye to Revd Zinkoo
St Barnabas with St Lazarus
What is a Quorum?
Kuwait
New Bishop, Exeter
PAs in the Diocese
Friends Subscription
1
2
3
4
5
6
7/8
9
9
10/11
12/13
14
15
16
18
18/19
20
20