Clergy Synod

Next week, May 4th-7th the Diocese of Colombo will be holding Clergy Synod. We will be looking at a range of issues including Recommendations to the Parishes concerning Theological Education for both laity and ordained, learning about the Family Resource Centre, discussing the way in which we identify suitable candidates for ministry and finally getting our hands on a Revised Liturgy for Holy Communion which is to be used in parishes as soon as possible.
Our synod concludes with the Bishop Cyril Abeynaike Memorial Lecture by Prof Priyan Dias, "Is science very different from religion".

Given the difficulty in reaching many of the parishes and their geographical location from Colombo, it's a wonderful opportunity to meet up with clergy, discuss needs and issues and spend some time in fellowship with one another.

Please pray for the Diocese of Colombo and our clergy and for our sister Diocese in Kurunegala as they seek to appoint a new Bishop.

Update

It's been a while since we last updated, culmination of events - lack of internet access, non-working mouse and lack of time are some of the culprits.
However, we are getting ready for the beginning of the second term here at S. Thomas', hence the update.

Sad news from the Diocese of Colombo, our first female priest, the Revd Canon Malini Devananada recently passed away. She had been diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, but last year she had a relapse and was undergoing chemo treatments. Despite having intensive medications she continued with her work as the Director of the Board of Education, as a committe member of the Board of Women's Work and pastoral work at St Luke's, Borella.
It came as a great shock to all, when she collapsed and was admitted to hospital. The week after her funeral she was due to fly to Malaysia to join an Asian Women's Theological Conference. Malini will be remembered as a pioneering role model for the women of Sri Lanka and as a faithful servant of her loving God.
Below is the text of a poem she wrote, which I was privileged to read at her funeral service:

‘Suffering’

Suffering is when

One feels bereft of

Loved ones, friends and colleagues,

When in the dark night

One grapples with the unknown

Not knowing what the outcome would be.

Suffering is when,

Poison is pumped into one

To kill those dark ugly cells,

That multiplies rapidly causing cancer

But the poison coursing through the veins

Makes a person half alive.

Suffering is when,

Umpteen needles are pricked into one,

With scant care for the agony and pain,

For saline they say is life giving

And rids the body of toxic

A drink for the dying, food for the weak,

God’s gift of life for her beloved sufferers.

Suffering is when,

My body wracked with pain

I collapsed, fighting for life, alone and scared,

Felt my body being dragged into a deep mire

To surface no more, I cried out in agony,

 No more God, No more, let me die.

And then suffering became bearable when,

I felt God’s presence holding my hand,

Telling me gently not to lose faith.

I know I had a companion in my darkest hour.

God shared my pain, my agony and tears,

Leading me safely through the valley of death.

And yet, suffering became bearable when,

With heartfelt gratitude I could say,

Thank you God for strengthening me

For friends and loved ones near and far

For prayers and vigils of the known and unknown,

For the medical staff so sure yet gently

Thank you God for the friends around me,

Whose friendship I share in our common suffering.