There is much going on this month in the life of St George’s Church:

-We are delighted that Bishop Mouneer will visit with our new area-bishop for North Africa, Bishop Samy, over the first weekend of March. They will be presiding at services for both congregations, and confirming a number of candidates. Come to meet our new bishop at the 09:30 service on Sunday 3rd March and stay after for refreshments and the opportunity to greet both bishops

Forty days after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph went with him to the temple in Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, and to fulfill the requirements of the law at that time (you can read the story in Luke 2:22-40).

2^nd February is forty days after Christmas. On that day (or a Sunday near it) we mark the day as “The Presentation of Christ in the Temple” - an occasion otherwise known as “Candlemas”. It is a watershed moment in the year, for the story takes us back for one last look at the birth of Jesus, but also looks forward to His sufferings.

New Year is often associated with new beginnings. Or, at least, in people’s minds there is the possibility of starting afresh, even if, in reality, little changes, and what does change doesn’t seem to last for long.

We look back at what has been, perhaps with nostalgia, or perhaps with relief that some particular event is over. The current queen of the United Kingdom referred to one particularly difficult year as an “Annus Horribilis” (“horrible year” in Latin). We probably all have such episodes in our lives.

After much prayer and reflection, Bishop Mouneer has announced a new area bishop-elect for North Africa. He writes:

“I am happy to let you know that I have appointed The Very Reverend Dr Samy Fawzy Shehata, the Dean of St Mark Pro-Cathedral Alexandria, as the new Area Bishop of North Africa.

He will be based in Alexandria and will travel to the churches in North Africa when needed. Dean Samy is a very experienced priest who is well acquainted with the Diocese, its churches and institutions, the Province, and the whole Anglican Communion.