19th March 2026

According to the Australia's Bureau of Meteorology, Tropical Cyclone Narelle is expected to make landfall in far north Queensland tomorrow morning around 7.00am local time, as a category 5 storm, bringing destructive wind gusts of 315km/h. Narelle is likely to be the fourth category 5 cyclone to cross the Queensland coast in the past fifty years. Vulnerable residents have been evacuated, tourists flown out on the last remaining flights and schools have been closed. More than 100 emergency services personnel have been sent to the region, with police going door-to-door calling to ensure locals were prepared. Emergency supplies, including generators are available is needed. The region is expected to lose power and experience flash flooding.  Queensland’s state disaster co-ordinator Chris Stream also warned of debris being propelled at over100km/h.

Updates are available here.

Loving God, we ask your protection for all living in the path of Cyclone Narelle.  We thank you for the warning that have been given and the preparations for supporting communities once the cyclone has passed. We pray for the safety of all who need to work to secure or restore power supplies or make buildings safe. POur out you blessing on all who will be away from their homes and loved ones becasue they will be supporting the vulnerable in care homes, hospitals, or in community centres. We pray that no one will perish in this storm and that any who are injured will be given swift treatment to aid their recovery.  May the next few hours pull communities together and strengthen their unity.  May the church in provide a place of peace, strength, and unity, as well as prctical and emotional support.  Loving God hold the people of north Queensland in the care of your hands.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.

You can read the full Bureau of Meteorology report here.

The image is a tracking map, issued by the Bureau of Meteorology on Thursday afternoon local time.

Yesterday, the Syria authorities published a plan to rid the Middle Eastern country of legacy chemical weapons that were used against its people by forces under the ousted leader, Bashar al-Assad. An international task force supported by many countries, including the United States, Germany, Britain, Canada, and France, will locate all remaining elements of the program and destroy them under the supervision of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Around100 sites in Syria will need to be inspected.  It is expected that the operation will take many months if not years to complete. 

Prayer based on Common Worship

Eucharistic Prayer G

How wonderful the work of your hands, O Lord.

As a mother tenderly gathers her children,

you embraced us as your own people.

When we turned away and rebelled

your love remained strong.

For us you raised up Jesus born of Mary,

to be our Saviour.

He offered his life for us

and with a love stronger than death

opened wide his arms on the cross.

By dying he destroyed our death.

Rising from death he restored our life.

We praise you and rejoice

that he sits at your right hand and intercedes for us.

We thank you that you have poured out your Holy Spirit

to live within us.

All praise and glory, honour and power be to you O God.

Amen.