The church was closed for the past week, and re-opened this morning, newly painted throughout. Trunking has been installed for the cables, and the communion rail moved forward to allow more room behind it. The new air conditioners, installed last month, are quieter and much more efficient than the older ones.

Many people in the church worked hard to ensure that everything was back in place, working again for this morning.

On June 28th 2006, St Helena’s congregation was joined by lay Canon Georgia Katsantonis, who was retiring after forty years working as administrator to several Bishops of Cyprus and the Gulf.

The service was followed by a very enjoyable bring-and-share lunch in Navina’s flat, previously known as the ‘upper room’.

St Helena’s congregation celebrated the western Pentecost Sunday with a lively, colourful service. Readings and prayers happened in multiple languages, reflecting the diverse congregation and also giving a little of the flavour of the original Pentecost. Then we flew paper aeroplanes, with prayers, for someone else to take home.

The congregation of St Helena’s, with Bishop Sean, officially welcomed the Reverend Navina Thompson as priest during the service this morning, February 22nd.

Navina was licensed on February 2nd, at St Christopher’s Cathedral in Bahrain.

Navina, who was living in London, previously worked in Cyprus as assistant priest in the parish of Ammochostos, and as student chaplain for St Mark’s Famagusta.