What a pleasure to welcome the Rt Revd Dr Mike Harrison, Bishop of our link diocese of Exeter, and his wife Rachel to The Hermitage and St Andrew’s Church this morning.

They were accompanied by Bishop Sean, his wife Jenny, Canon Georgia Katsantonis (Diocesan Secretary) and the Very Revd Chris Butt, who is currently serving as locum priest at St Paul’s, Nicosia.

Bishop Mike was keen to learn about our parish in our North Cyprus context, before leaving for an afternoon visit to Famagusta.

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Bishop Michael has asked me to inform you that the reception of Julia’s body into St Barnabas Church, Limassol, will take place at 5.00 p.m. on Friday, 31st October. The Funeral Requiem Mass will be held at 2.00 p.m. on Saturday, 1st November, followed by the burial at 4.30 p.m. at Kalo Chorio Cemetery, in the district of Limassol.

All are most warmly welcome to attend any or all parts of Julia’s funeral liturgy.

Bishop Michael encourages all clergy to robe, wearing a white stole.

Notice of a Requiem Service in the UK will be issued once the date and venue have been confirmed.

Faithfully in Christ,

Canon Georgia Katsantonis
PA to the Bishop
Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the death of Julia Lewis, beloved wife of The Right Reverend Michael Lewis, former Bishop of our Diocese. Julia passed away peacefully at the General Hospital in Nicosia in the early hours of this morning.

Julia was a woman of gentle strength. Throughout her years of ministry alongside Bishop Michael, she offered kindness, hospitality, and steadfast support for the Bishop’s work in the Diocese. Her presence was cherished by individuals and communities alike, and her legacy of compassion will be long remembered.

We hold Bishop Michael and their family in our prayers during this time of loss, asking that God’s comfort and peace may surround them.

Details of the funeral and memorial services will be shared once they are confirmed.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” — Matthew 5:4

Faithfully in Christ,

Canon Georgia Katsantonis
PA to the Bishop
Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf

SAVE THE DATE!
Our good friends, Lena and Katerina Stern will perform a programme of Saint Saens and Schumann violin and piano music at a charity concert at St Andrew’s on Saturday 29th November.
We very much look forward to what will undoubtedly be a wonderful cultural event.

We are delighted to welcome The Bishop of Exeter, The Rt Revd Mike Harrison, and his wife Rachel, to St Andrew’s on Tuesday 28 October from 9am to 12 noon.

Here is the Programme for the morning, as approved by Bishop Sean (who will also be coming, with his wife, Jenny) and YOU ARE WELCOME to join in as much (or as little) as you wish
• 0900 Arrive at The Hermitage
• 0915 Morning Prayer in the Chapel at The Hermitage
• 1000 Move to the Church
• 1015 – 1100 Approx. Bishop Mike will look round the church and hall, and will be free to meet any members of the congregation who might wish to meet him

A short course for honest and open-ended enquiry about the historical man

5 Thursdays from 13 November – 11 December at The Hermitage
1000 – Morning Prayer in the chapel; 1030-1200 Group session (with refreshments)

The course will be (loosely) based on a book by The Revd John Bowden, an Anglican priest who was also the Editor and Managing Director of England’s famous theological book publishing house, The SCM Press.

In chapter 3 of his 1988 volume, ‘Jesus; the Unanswered Questions’, Bowden explored this very subject.

The content of the course will be based on themes raised in that chapter, but with plenty of opportunities to pause and investigate any questions that may grab the group’s attention! We may not want to stop. . .

13 Nov: Setting the scene; what we think we know, (and what we cannot know), about Jesus

20 Nov: ‘Biographies’ of Jesus; how and why the four gospels disagree with each other

27 Nov: Eight ‘almost indisputable facts’ about Jesus: are there any more?

4 Dec: The changing church: Three stages in the early development of Christianity

11 Dec; Conclusions — What do we think we know now? What question will YOU ask next?

Members from St Andrew’s, along with friends from Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol, took part in the all-island retreat organised by St Paul’s Cathedral, which took place on Friday and Saturday at St George-in-the-Forest in the Troodos mountains.

The retreat was led by the Reverend Deborah Moorgas with sessions by Bishop Sean and the Reverend Maria Evangelou.

Participants stayed at the nearby Troodos hotel, where they were blessed with good food, excellent company and a spectacular sunrise!

Hilary Cemal’s funeral will take place at Greenhill Cemetery at 10.30 on Monday 13th October.
Please pray for Hilary, her family and friends at this sad time.

John Crothers was delighted to receive his honorary award at the Royal School of Church Music Awards Presentation Ceremony in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford on Saturday.

He is pictured here with his fellow Honorands, together with RSCM Council Chair John Halsey and Director Hugh Morris.

John very much enjoyed the occasion and commented “It was a delight to natter and laugh with eminent composers Thomas Hewitt Jones and Joanna Forbes Lestrange too !”

Many congratulations to John, from all of us at St Andrew’s, on this well-deserved recognition.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Hilary Cemal early this morning.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Hilary’s family and her good friends in Kyrenia, who supported and cared for her with such love and compassion.