Dear friends in the St. Barnabas Church in Limassol, rev J. Rod Price and churchwarden Pamela and all,

 Friday afternoon, 6^th June, we came save back in Holland. We like to express our cordial thanks for the Sunday morning you prepared to us. Warm, and one in believe and united in celebrating the glory of the Lord. Fine that we could read a chapter in Dutch, sing a Dutch song ( a huge invasion on the altar side) and that we could share the communion. If you read this message in time, send our greetings to the congregation gathered on 8^th June!

I read your ‘report’ on the webpage, nice that you gave there a flash back on last Sunday! May be you can use some of the photos I send with this mail. Probably I see one on your web.

Special greetings for Rod and Beryl Price. We hope to meet again.

Barend Weegink, Dutch pastor

As we approach the time of Remembrance, it is with the knowledge that more than 150 servicemen and women have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan since these operations began.  The names of these people will go down in history with millions of others who have made the ultimate sacrifice serving their country.  On 11 November the nation will pause and remember them with respect and grateful thanks.

These young men and women are our most recent losses but war is not new and nor are many of the problems it creates.  Emotional strain and relationship difficulties, mental instability and physical scars are but a few of the challenges that individuals and families face during and after operations.  Fortunately, at these difficult times, SSAFA (the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) Forces Help is here to assist.  And the charity is not new either.  It has been helping service families for more than 120 years. 

SSAFA uses its experience of the past and its knowledge of the present day service life to help ex-servicemen, women and their families, and with the dignity they deserve.  Whilst soldiers face danger in deserts far from home, sometimes it is the tiny, seemingly insignificant, details of domestic life that cause greater personal struggle.  Indeed, many personal battles begin long after the wars are over.

The Cyprus Branch currently has over sixty trained volunteer caseworkers and last year helped 45 people and made over five hundred visits. We are currently dealing with over 50 active cases.  The support provided may be practical, financial or emotional.  Our ‘caseworkers’, meet and talk in confidence to each person needing our assistance.  Their assessed needs may range from something as simple as a replacement washing machine to help with mobility problems.  Most importantly, we give individuals a chance to talk about the difficulties they face and how we may help them, which in turn often helps to ease their burden.

Anyone who has served for one day in any of Britain’s Armed Forces, including the Cyprus Regiment, is entitled to a lifetime of support from SSAFA Forces Help.  We also assist National Servicemen, members of the Territorial Army and our reserves forces.  Many of the latter are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. To learn more about volunteering for SSAFA, or to ask for assistance please call the Cyprus Branch on 25 963 647 or visit www.ssafa.org.uk

Yours sincerely

John Diffin,   Chairman,   Cyprus Branch.   SSAFA Forces Help            Don Welland,   Publicity,   Cyprus Branch.   SSAFA Forces Help

I got a parking ticket whilst parked outside the row of terraced houses opposite the church which alleged I was obstructing traffic.  The car was facing the direction of traffic flow and it was not parked on the pavement and neither was it close to a junction. I have to pay a £15.00 fine and had I been on the pavement it would have been £50.00. All this despite there being no yellow lines and no other notices banning parking. You have been warned.
 

REPLY FROM PAMELA CAULFIELD

August 2007

Dear All at St Barnabas

I would like to thank Rod and Beryl for a wonderful day on the 15th June of this year.  Rod married Mark and I.   The day was perfect, the church is lovely, also both Mark and I would like to thank you for your humour which got us through!!!