Cyprus: 19th-23rd October2014

My visit to Cyprus was to attend the meeting of the Bishop’s Council and Standing committee, but I left a couple of days earlier than I might and stayed in The Deanery in Nicosia, sharing it with Nelson the Nigerian caretaker…. There was plenty of space! In the change of scenery and without the interruptions that are an inevitable part of life in this Deanery, I managed to prepare for two very contrasting memorial services this coming Saturday- a stillborn baby and the deaths of three DHL employees, murdered in Afghanistan six years ago, as well as my Friday sermon for this week. It was good to see that the Bahrain tree I planted alongside those of our three partner cathedrals in Nicosia, Exeter and Thika was flourishing and of all the citrus trees was the only one with fruit. I don’t think that there is a parable in that! The Cyprus climate is really energizing at this time of the year.