27 March 2009


To members of St Mary the Virgin, Waverley


My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

It was a great pleasure to be involved with Fr Cliff at his induction to St Luke’s,
Concord Burwood on Thursday night. However, I know that for St Mary’s we face the
situation of now looking for a new minister to continue the work that Cliff has begun.

I have decided to appoint myself as your acting rector during this time. This will
enable me to keep a helpful oversight and direction in the parish. However, I am afraid
I am not going to be a very good acting rector as my attendance will be poor. I believe
that the first Sunday that I will be free to attend your church will be on 6 September.

However, thanks to God’s kindness, there is a wonderful team of assistant priests who
can help me and you at this important time. I have asked Michael and Beth Spence to
lead the team accountable to me. I am also very thankful to God that John Sanderson
will be able to continue his excellent assistance and help to the ministry here, together
with Peter Hayes.

I know that you will give them all your prayerful support.

A time of interregnum is difficult for a parish, and yet it is also an opportunity for us to
pull together and depend even more actively on God and help have an input into
determining the kind of minister and therefore future direction we want for our
church. I pray that God will continue to bless St Mary’s and even possibly do a special
work among you during this period of expectation and preparation.

With every good wish in Christ,


Robert Forsyth
Bishop

The Rt. Rev. Rob Forsyth
The Bishop of South Sydney
Sydney Diocese
Anglican Church of Australia
Level 2
St Andrews House
Sydney Square
PO Box Q190, QVB Post Office NSW 1230
Office (02) 9265 1598
Fax (02) 9265 1543
0438 148 591
robforsyth@sydney.anglican.asn.au