July 24, 2008 Billed unpretentiously as “The London Day”, the title belied the grandeur and cultural homage this day paid to our Anglican heritage, if you will, in situ. Up by 5:00 a.m. to make the bus to Whitehall Place, we joined other Conference participants in a Walk of Witness in support of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The strong showing of bishops, spouses and other Conference supporters of the Goals ended after a march of approximately a mile having reached Lambeth Palace. This is the office of the Archbishop of Canterbury (and many others) and the home of the Archbishop and his wife, Jane. They were our hosts for the late morning and into the early afternoon. We heard a truly impassioned speech in support of the MDGs by the Prime Minister. At least one bishop from the London area later said with some pride, “It sounded like Dr. Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a dream’ speech.” I would agree that the conviction with which the speech was delivered on goals that seem too big to accomplish was in fact a bell ringer. The importance of the Church in combination with other denominations, faiths and agencies in addressing these issues is absolutely necessary. The loss of life if we don’t is absolutely unthinkable. I pray that the MDGs will continue to guide the social responsibility awareness and our response to it. I also want to thank all of you back home who continue to pray for us daily hear at the Lambeth Conference. In particular today, I thank those of you who joined us in the “virtual Walk” in support of the MDGs.
Following the Prime Minister’s speech, the large gathering moved into a tent for a very British lunch. I must say that it was the first time I had ever eaten in a tent that was lit by chandeliers artfully displayed row on row throughout the whole venue. Served with style, the tasty repast and continued cross cultural conversations spiced the occasion.
To continue our British emersion, we went to Buckingham Palace to have tea with Queen Elizabeth who had invited “her bishops”, as I was told, to her home. It was a royally wonderful day. The Queen came out to meet the group after her “Beefeater” guard were arrayed and in place to protect her Royal Majesty. I imagine that this was in case one of the crazy bishops from the Colonies decided to ask for her autograph. All kidding aside, I was very impressed that the Queen spent at least two full hours meeting and greeting those present. Jeannie and I took the time, after the Queen had passed us by, to go and visit her gardens. Roses were fragrant. The grounds were magnificent. We enjoyed the whole experience. The next morning we saw in the local paper a picture of the bishops and spouses in procession in support of the MDGs. Of course, your “First Lady” of West Tennessee was chosen as a model for the “best hat at the Lambeth walk” award. This means that Jeannie was prominently displayed in the local news. What can I say? It was a great hat!
At the end of the evening, most of the bishop and spouses returned to the University of Kent by bus. Jeannie and I had been invited to meet with a bishop and his wife for dinner at a near by restaurant. Following the dinner, our hosts dropped us off at Victoria Station train station. The four of us returned “toward” Canterbury. Because, I guess, we did not have enough people on the train to justify the cost of the expense to take the train to Canterbury, the train stopped some ten or so miles away. We shared a cab and returned late, tired and happy to the campus.
July 25, 2008 It is a TGIF kind of day. It has been a long and in some ways arduous time. Those who want “closure” and those who want “conversation” continue in our midst to set the boundaries in which we continue to engage one another and the questions we must address as a communion. Today the focus is “Serving Together, The Bishop and other churches.” The topic gave room for reflections about the ways in which we do work together with partner Christian churches. Our discussions continue, more broadly, to underscore the diversity of setting, culture, governmental involvement and theological emphases represented across the Communion.
There seems to be a presumption by some that a “covenant” of some kind will emerge for consideration by the various Provinces. In the end, I think this is likely to be offered following the Conference for consideration of another drafting effort at the upcoming Anglican Consultative Council. Having said this, there are many Provinces who do not want a covenant of any kind, or at least not a covenant model that we have been presented so far. The loud voices around the edge for and against are quite evident, occasionally eloquent and inevitably pleading in tone. The silent ones are, as usual, less easy to hear. However, the “word on the street” is that there is not unanimity about the advisability or possibility of a covenant being written in such a way that the Provinces could sign off on it uniformly even after it is perfected. As I figure it, the absolute earliest such a proposal could be dealt with in our General Convention is next summer. However, it is more likely to be no earlier than 2012, assuming the concept survives for discussion at all. As I say, I imagine some form will survive, but we will have to wait and see.
July 26, 2008 We focused today on the role of the Bishop in providing leadership in matters that affect our stewardship of creation. “The Bishop and the Environment” presented us with a number of opportunities for engagement in thoughtful and practical ways. I am much more aware, as a result of these conversations, how much the North American “carbon footprint” is so clearly affecting the world’s ecosystem than ever before. Adding to this the growth of China’s economy and the support system that is needed to support it provides another signal that we all need to be working together to address the environmental crises we have contributed to for the sake of the world.
On a happier note, we spent a sweltering and yet good natured afternoon having over six hundred bishops photographed together. The spouses had had their photo taken earlier in the day. They sang Christmas Carols to ward off the most obvious effects of the heat. By the time the bishops arrived for the photo shoot, Christmas Carols were not going to help. We did a sweltering arrangement of Amazing Grace, and hoped that the event would quickly come to an end. We made it in the end, and the portable football stadium set up for the occasion came down soon after the last of us damply went back to our dorm rooms for the evening.
July 27, 2008 Jeannie and I enjoyed our Sabbath day. We took a leisurely morning together before going back into Canterbury. We had lunch and returned to the campus for an afternoon rest. I took a three hour “nap”. I was amazed how tired I had become in the course of doing this important work of building relationships and learning from others. Following the nap, Jeannie and I went back into Canterbury again for supper at the Thomas Becket Inn. We had a lovely, relaxing and refreshing day.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Building Relationships
July 22, 2008 Today’s opening Eucharist was offered by the Province of Central Africa. While much of the Conference is in English, various Provinces will celebrate some or all of the liturgy in their respective native tongues. Such was the case today, and again I find the richness of this experience both disorienting and engaging all at once. Our Bible Study group focused on Jesus’ promise to be the “bread of life.” The Indaba discussion groups focused on “The Bishop and evangelism.” I finally found a time to go to the gym and have a vigorous work out. Rather than going to a self-select group after working out, I joined the patient and not-so-patient group waiting to use the laundry facility. After an hour’s wait, I decided that this was not going to be the best use of my time (although the novel I am reading helped), so I returned to the room and worked on a four-minute presentation that I am scheduled to present tomorrow night. I will tell you more of that in the day ahead. I am staying in touch by email not only with you through these writings, but with the office and the ongoing work of the Diocese back home. Jeannie and I were able to share meals together today. As far as laundry goes, however, it appears that I will need to get up early and get back in the line for the two washing machines available for the eight hundred or so of us.
July 23, 2008 Success! I was second in line to wash clothes this morning, and I have officially cleaned up my act. Today proved to be a day of engagement. We are building a basis of trust in one another that should allow us to begin moving into some deeper discussion about some of the more pressing issues we are facing. Our Bible study group has grown. We have added a Lutheran bishop from India and a new translator for our Burmese brother bishops. As with any addition to a “formed” group, it takes a bit of intentionality to accomplish it gracefully. Muddling along together, I think it will work out in the end.
The presentation I mentioned in passing from yesterday’s journal might now be good to detail a bit. I had been asked to be part of a panel of bishops who would help introduce Bishop Gene Robinson to bishops from around the communion. Bishop Chilton Knutson of Maine gave an overview of the process by which a bishop is elected in the Episcopal Church. Bishop Michael Curry of North Carolina gave a brief explanation of how he came to vote in favor of Bishop Robinson’s election. It just dawned on me that both of these bishops have been guest preachers and chaplains at our own diocesan convention.
I was asked to be the third panel member because I had voted “No” to the election. As did each of the panel members, I had four minutes to state why I had decided in this way and then to share observations about working with Bishop Robinson in the House of Bishops. Following the various introductory remarks, Bishop Robinson spoke to the gathering and responded to their questions. At a few minutes after 10:00 p.m., Jeannie and I called it the end of a full and encouraging day. Off to bed soon thereafter. We are to be up at 5:00 a.m. to “go off to London and see the Queen..”
Blessings, +Don
July 23, 2008 Success! I was second in line to wash clothes this morning, and I have officially cleaned up my act. Today proved to be a day of engagement. We are building a basis of trust in one another that should allow us to begin moving into some deeper discussion about some of the more pressing issues we are facing. Our Bible study group has grown. We have added a Lutheran bishop from India and a new translator for our Burmese brother bishops. As with any addition to a “formed” group, it takes a bit of intentionality to accomplish it gracefully. Muddling along together, I think it will work out in the end.
The presentation I mentioned in passing from yesterday’s journal might now be good to detail a bit. I had been asked to be part of a panel of bishops who would help introduce Bishop Gene Robinson to bishops from around the communion. Bishop Chilton Knutson of Maine gave an overview of the process by which a bishop is elected in the Episcopal Church. Bishop Michael Curry of North Carolina gave a brief explanation of how he came to vote in favor of Bishop Robinson’s election. It just dawned on me that both of these bishops have been guest preachers and chaplains at our own diocesan convention.
I was asked to be the third panel member because I had voted “No” to the election. As did each of the panel members, I had four minutes to state why I had decided in this way and then to share observations about working with Bishop Robinson in the House of Bishops. Following the various introductory remarks, Bishop Robinson spoke to the gathering and responded to their questions. At a few minutes after 10:00 p.m., Jeannie and I called it the end of a full and encouraging day. Off to bed soon thereafter. We are to be up at 5:00 a.m. to “go off to London and see the Queen..”
Blessings, +Don
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Down to business - Cross-cultural communications
July 21, 2008 Today’s entry will be a bit brief. The reason is that I am already quoted in Episcopal News Service as one of the Episcopal bishops interviewed for this date. Please see the article here.
Following yesterday’s remarkable worship event at Canterbury Cathedral, we finally got down to the “business sessions” as the Conference Design Team has set them. For those wanting a legislative approach, this model will be somewhat uncomfortable. In the end, the time of listening to one another should, I hope, allow us to better understand the unique contexts in which our respective ministries are offered. In this way, we will be better positioned to address the “issues” as currently before us and those others that may emerge from our time spent together.
I found the two Indaba listening group sessions, totaling about three and a half hours today, to be instructive. Between the forty or so bishops in our group, we speak five languages. It has become for me something of a metaphor about how important it is to find common meaning beneath the changing languages we speak at Lambeth, in the Diocese and among one another.
I have for years quipped that I am tri-lingual: English, Episcopalian, and Baptist. There is a deep truth in this. A hope I have for the Conference is that we will all leave having spent significant time and energy in becoming “linguists” of God’s mission. The Archbishop used this, among other terms, to describe something of the calling of a bishop. But my work of ministry is really about equipping each of you to do your work of translating the languages of those around us into the language of God’s love.
To fast forward to the close of the day, Dr. Brian McLaren of A Generous Orthodoxy fame, offered an engaging presentation on “Changing contexts: breaking open our models for evangelism.” In it he spoke of “What does Evangelism look like in modern, post modern, colonial and post colonial contexts, and how can bishops deal with the complexities and opportunities of these diverse contexts? In a summary of his presentation that does not do it full justice, I believe it fair to say he spoke to a large extent about the languages of word and culture that we use to engage an unbelieving world with the good news of Jesus Christ. He challenged us to think of the ways in which the gospel we proclaim needs to be liberated from the forms of old that do not speak to those who hear it today. While I was not completely ready to accept all that he said in this regard, I found his observations to be worth our consideration as we seek the 99 who are outside the fold rather than the 1 who is inside. Yes, I am aware that this is not the Bible story of old, but it may more accurately describe the world’s story of today where more are outside than “in.”
I close with a general description of the sub-group discussion in today’s afternoon Indaba session. We were discussing the “signposts” of the Anglican way, and among the topics being discussed was the role of worship as an expression of our relationship with God and one another. The group in which I was participating also consisted of two bishops from Korea, their interpreter, and a bishop from Bangladesh. It was clear to me that carrying on the very “English” set of questions posed by to our group was going to need facilitation by means of patiently rewording each of the questions the Conference design team asked us in such a way that my fellow bishops might have a better chance at sharing their perspectives from within their own contexts. However, I thought you would be glad to know (or at least not surprised to hear) that some aspects of worship are cross-cultural. I found this to be true when one of the bishops, speaking of teaching in the context of worship, noted that “sometimes the sermons are harder to understand than the Bible.” If we get that one solved while we are over here, it would certainly be a gift to the whole Communion.
You continue to be in my prayers, my friends. Please keep all of us in yours. +Don
Following yesterday’s remarkable worship event at Canterbury Cathedral, we finally got down to the “business sessions” as the Conference Design Team has set them. For those wanting a legislative approach, this model will be somewhat uncomfortable. In the end, the time of listening to one another should, I hope, allow us to better understand the unique contexts in which our respective ministries are offered. In this way, we will be better positioned to address the “issues” as currently before us and those others that may emerge from our time spent together.
I found the two Indaba listening group sessions, totaling about three and a half hours today, to be instructive. Between the forty or so bishops in our group, we speak five languages. It has become for me something of a metaphor about how important it is to find common meaning beneath the changing languages we speak at Lambeth, in the Diocese and among one another.
I have for years quipped that I am tri-lingual: English, Episcopalian, and Baptist. There is a deep truth in this. A hope I have for the Conference is that we will all leave having spent significant time and energy in becoming “linguists” of God’s mission. The Archbishop used this, among other terms, to describe something of the calling of a bishop. But my work of ministry is really about equipping each of you to do your work of translating the languages of those around us into the language of God’s love.
To fast forward to the close of the day, Dr. Brian McLaren of A Generous Orthodoxy fame, offered an engaging presentation on “Changing contexts: breaking open our models for evangelism.” In it he spoke of “What does Evangelism look like in modern, post modern, colonial and post colonial contexts, and how can bishops deal with the complexities and opportunities of these diverse contexts? In a summary of his presentation that does not do it full justice, I believe it fair to say he spoke to a large extent about the languages of word and culture that we use to engage an unbelieving world with the good news of Jesus Christ. He challenged us to think of the ways in which the gospel we proclaim needs to be liberated from the forms of old that do not speak to those who hear it today. While I was not completely ready to accept all that he said in this regard, I found his observations to be worth our consideration as we seek the 99 who are outside the fold rather than the 1 who is inside. Yes, I am aware that this is not the Bible story of old, but it may more accurately describe the world’s story of today where more are outside than “in.”
I close with a general description of the sub-group discussion in today’s afternoon Indaba session. We were discussing the “signposts” of the Anglican way, and among the topics being discussed was the role of worship as an expression of our relationship with God and one another. The group in which I was participating also consisted of two bishops from Korea, their interpreter, and a bishop from Bangladesh. It was clear to me that carrying on the very “English” set of questions posed by to our group was going to need facilitation by means of patiently rewording each of the questions the Conference design team asked us in such a way that my fellow bishops might have a better chance at sharing their perspectives from within their own contexts. However, I thought you would be glad to know (or at least not surprised to hear) that some aspects of worship are cross-cultural. I found this to be true when one of the bishops, speaking of teaching in the context of worship, noted that “sometimes the sermons are harder to understand than the Bible.” If we get that one solved while we are over here, it would certainly be a gift to the whole Communion.
You continue to be in my prayers, my friends. Please keep all of us in yours. +Don
Monday, July 21, 2008
Spouse's Corner - Week 1
We began a day late. After wandering around the Memphis airport for several hours last Thursday, Don and I finally made our way to the gate to catch the 3:30 p.m. plane for the first leg of our trip to The Lambeth Conference in England. We were told our plane would be late arriving in Memphis, and so we waited, sort of patiently, for the plane. It wasn’t until we noticed that our flight to Atlanta had been removed from the flashing sign over the gate counter and replaced with a flight to Cincinnati (with no announcement), that we began to fret. We were told by the gate agent to return to the ticketing counter because we would miss our connecting flight from Atlanta to Gatwick in London. It was not one of our better moments! After spending another couple of hours changing flights and retrieving our luggage, we went home and started over the following day.
Returning to the airport on Friday morning felt a bit like we were in the movie “Ground Hog Day”. But, much to our pleasure, everything went like clockwork, and we got to Atlanta in plenty (plenty!) of time for the flight to Gatwick (we had 5 hours wait).
When we arrived in London at 8:20 on Saturday morning, we were greeted by Fr. Jonathan, the Chaplain to Gatwick airport, who steered us through Customs, the “money changers,” purchase of a hairdryer with British plug, and getting train tickets to Newport, Wales. Getting three suitcases and two “carry-ons” onto the train was challenging. We also changed trains in Reading (pronounced “Redding”) station before going on to Newport.
Our hosts, Vicar John and Anne Blackburn, met us at the station and carried our luggage to their car (which they rented specially for our visit, because both of their cars only seat two and had no room for our luggage). Newport is a lovely town in Southeast Wales, known at one time for coal mining and steel mills. There is a canal that runs all round the town, used for transporting coal originally, and now a walking trail and bicycle path run alongside. We arrived at the Risca Vicarage in the Diocese of Monmouth and were greeted by the Blackburn’s Scottish terrier, Ramsey, named for the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Ramsey. Our Boxers, Ruth and Naomi, sent a squeaky-toy to Ramsey that he loved, but we’re not so sure John and Anne loved the noise! (I brought the toy in my carry-on, and each time I put it in the overhead bin, it squeaked. I got some strange looks).
Later that day, John and Anne hosted a cocktail party in their lovely garden, full of roses and fuchsias and sweet peas, in our honor, and invited many members of St. Margaret’s Parish in Newport. It was great fun to meet the parishioners, and the wine and hors d’oeuvres were yummy. We were even treated to a spontaneous “concert” by one 84 year old parishioner who sang “Thanks for the Memories” with words she ad-libbed on the spot!
The next day was Sunday, with church at St. Margaret’s. There were no children attending, except for two acolytes. The service was lovely and we had tea afterwards in the parish hall, with real brewed tea served in fine china cups and saucers.
Anne and John hosted a traditional Sunday dinner at the Vicarage, also in our honor. There were eight of us around the dining table. We had roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, fresh “veg” from local gardens, jacket potatoes, and a salad with lettuce that was from a neighbor’s garden and left on the front steps in the morning. Dessert was fresh fruit (blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and black currants) with English clotted cream, followed by chocolates and coffee. I hope the Bishop won’t expect this on Sundays when we return home!
Monday dawned (and because England and Wales are so far north, dawn is around 4:30 a.m.) cloudy and damp. On the schedule was a tour of Newport from the top of an open double-decker bus with other bishops and spouses. The locals said the weather was “crisp”, which translates “very cold indeed” – even colder at 40 mph! We also had to “duck” so as not to get hit by passing tree branches overhead. It was quite exciting! We toured the Cathedral, some Roman ruins and a Roman amphitheatre with an archaeological dig nearby, and returned to the Cathedral for a luncheon put on by members of the Cathedral. The real prize was dessert – English (they said Welsh) Trifle. After one bite, I said “So that’s how trifle is supposed to taste!” What we call trifle in the states isn’t even close. The only complaint was from one of the Cathedral staff who said “…could have used more Sherry!”
Tuesday we began our journey to University of Kent at Canterbury. We rode with other bishops and spouses, and one spouse, Lucie, from Brazil, didn’t speak any English. I tried the little Spanish I know, and that didn’t work, neither did my sad bit of French. Then I learned they speak Portuguese in Brazil! But she and I carried on an hour-long conversation in sign language, and we are now friends. They have even invited us to his Consecration service in Rio de Janeiro.
More later – I’m off to do laundry, and I must figure out English coins first – wish me luck!
Jeannie
Returning to the airport on Friday morning felt a bit like we were in the movie “Ground Hog Day”. But, much to our pleasure, everything went like clockwork, and we got to Atlanta in plenty (plenty!) of time for the flight to Gatwick (we had 5 hours wait).
When we arrived in London at 8:20 on Saturday morning, we were greeted by Fr. Jonathan, the Chaplain to Gatwick airport, who steered us through Customs, the “money changers,” purchase of a hairdryer with British plug, and getting train tickets to Newport, Wales. Getting three suitcases and two “carry-ons” onto the train was challenging. We also changed trains in Reading (pronounced “Redding”) station before going on to Newport.
Our hosts, Vicar John and Anne Blackburn, met us at the station and carried our luggage to their car (which they rented specially for our visit, because both of their cars only seat two and had no room for our luggage). Newport is a lovely town in Southeast Wales, known at one time for coal mining and steel mills. There is a canal that runs all round the town, used for transporting coal originally, and now a walking trail and bicycle path run alongside. We arrived at the Risca Vicarage in the Diocese of Monmouth and were greeted by the Blackburn’s Scottish terrier, Ramsey, named for the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Ramsey. Our Boxers, Ruth and Naomi, sent a squeaky-toy to Ramsey that he loved, but we’re not so sure John and Anne loved the noise! (I brought the toy in my carry-on, and each time I put it in the overhead bin, it squeaked. I got some strange looks).
Later that day, John and Anne hosted a cocktail party in their lovely garden, full of roses and fuchsias and sweet peas, in our honor, and invited many members of St. Margaret’s Parish in Newport. It was great fun to meet the parishioners, and the wine and hors d’oeuvres were yummy. We were even treated to a spontaneous “concert” by one 84 year old parishioner who sang “Thanks for the Memories” with words she ad-libbed on the spot!
The next day was Sunday, with church at St. Margaret’s. There were no children attending, except for two acolytes. The service was lovely and we had tea afterwards in the parish hall, with real brewed tea served in fine china cups and saucers.
Anne and John hosted a traditional Sunday dinner at the Vicarage, also in our honor. There were eight of us around the dining table. We had roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, fresh “veg” from local gardens, jacket potatoes, and a salad with lettuce that was from a neighbor’s garden and left on the front steps in the morning. Dessert was fresh fruit (blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and black currants) with English clotted cream, followed by chocolates and coffee. I hope the Bishop won’t expect this on Sundays when we return home!
Monday dawned (and because England and Wales are so far north, dawn is around 4:30 a.m.) cloudy and damp. On the schedule was a tour of Newport from the top of an open double-decker bus with other bishops and spouses. The locals said the weather was “crisp”, which translates “very cold indeed” – even colder at 40 mph! We also had to “duck” so as not to get hit by passing tree branches overhead. It was quite exciting! We toured the Cathedral, some Roman ruins and a Roman amphitheatre with an archaeological dig nearby, and returned to the Cathedral for a luncheon put on by members of the Cathedral. The real prize was dessert – English (they said Welsh) Trifle. After one bite, I said “So that’s how trifle is supposed to taste!” What we call trifle in the states isn’t even close. The only complaint was from one of the Cathedral staff who said “…could have used more Sherry!”
Tuesday we began our journey to University of Kent at Canterbury. We rode with other bishops and spouses, and one spouse, Lucie, from Brazil, didn’t speak any English. I tried the little Spanish I know, and that didn’t work, neither did my sad bit of French. Then I learned they speak Portuguese in Brazil! But she and I carried on an hour-long conversation in sign language, and we are now friends. They have even invited us to his Consecration service in Rio de Janeiro.
More later – I’m off to do laundry, and I must figure out English coins first – wish me luck!
Jeannie
Blogging Bishops
Remember to read the thoughts and reflections of other bishops attending the conference on the Lambeth Journal blog.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Three Days of Meditation with the Archbishop of Canterbury
July 17 2008 Our first official full day of the Lambeth Conference began today. I am told by Lambeth veterans that this conference is already greatly different in tone from the one or two that preceded it. For instance, the 1988 Lambeth Conference did not begin with a retreat to set the tone for the time the bishops of your Anglican Communion gathered. This time we gathered at Canterbury Cathedral for the first of three day long sessions at which the Archbishop of Canterbury led us in a time of meditation.
The Archbishop’s first address was focused on Galatians 1:15 and 16. As he noted, it is often translated by those who are not brave enough to go for the more literal translation from the Greek, “But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being.” The Archbishop pointed out that the more literal translation is “… through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me…”. This small but significant change became the crux of the Archbishop’s reflection. To be a place where God is revealed in me is to become a place where God revealed life, becomes a source of life within and through each of us who call him Lord.
On a more challenging note, the Archbishop observed that we do “love our fears and anxieties.” This was followed by an important reflection point for me: “God always creates a new situation when we pray.” Among the other challenging and encouraging words the Archbishop spoke were these, “We are bringing God’s future into existence in someone’s life each time we officiate at a confirmation, baptism or Eucharist.”
The Eucharist, according to the Archbishop, “judges us and heals us all at once.”
Following lunch and a very good conversation with a bishop from the Episcopal Church, we gathered again for the Archbishop’s second address. “The care we are called to give to God’s people” is our mission. We were charged to give thanks to those bishops in the past who had been the ones who confirmed and ordained us. I recalled Jack VanderHost, who confirmed and later ordained me as a deacon. I recalled Bill Sanders, who ordained me as a priest and who later joined Bert Herlong (Tennessee), Charles VonRosenberg (East Tennessee), Duncan Gray III (Mississippi) and the then Presiding Bishop, Frank Griswold, who were the chief consecrators for me as your bishop. I remember each one with fondness, appreciation and a sense of gratitude and responsibility for the trust they have place in me.
The Archbishop offered a closing prayer for the day in which he noted in passing that Christ is “bound to us as if nails hammered into wood.” With this powerful image of self-giving love, our first day of retreat came to a close.
Later that evening, I returned from Canterbury Cathedral, had dinner with Jeannie, and we finally found the laundry room, where I curled up with a book and washed clothes until midnight. Jeannie, showing her superior intelligence, went to bed early.
July 18, 2008 On this Friday, I left with the bishops for our second day of retreat at Canterbury Cathedral. The Archbishop gave two addresses today regarding the bishop as a “linguist” and the role of the bishop as a model of Christian community in relationship to his or her diocese and to other Christians around the world. He made a suggestion that I thought had great merit. Rather cautiously using the term covenant, the Archbishop suggested that one covenant bishops of the communion might make would be as follows: “combining rigor towards oneself (as did the Desert Fathers) and look on each other with a deep reluctance to condemn,” the Church might benefit if two or three bishops from around the world might adopt a common rule of life and hold one another in prayer and accountability to accomplish the rule that binds us together. He described this as a Benedictine model of community based on common discipline and the shape of prayer we are committed to offer in service to God.
Regarding the negative effects of fear on our lives as a communal people, the Archbishop observed that the only thing to do with fear is to put it in the presence of God. I might interpret this to mean that fear is overcome only if we truly entrust it and ourselves to God.
I had an opportunity to seek out a Franciscan monk for a bit of spiritual direction preceded by shared admiration of the Kentucky native, poet and essayist, Wendell Barry. Later, I met with another American bishop to continue the conversation I had started with Brother Sam of the Society of St. Francis. We returned to the nave of the Cathedral for our second night of evensong with the wonderful Cathedral men and boy choir leading the sung parts of the service. After we were dismissed for the evening, I met Jeannie and eight others who went out for an evening’s meal in Canterbury. We walked the thirty minutes back to the University of Kent from the town of Canterbury, and it is only now that I have had a chance to sit and compose thoughts on this day.
I know that there is another communication of images and reflections coming to you on a daily basis from the Episcopal Church communications offices. Jeannie is working on a reflection piece for you as well. I hope these will be combined to present a fair overview of an incredible experience of engaging Anglicans from around the world in the service of God in Christ. It is in this context that the importance of Communion makes most sense. We have one more half-day of retreat. This will take place on the University of Kent campus. Stay tuned.
July 19, 2008 Today was the final day of our Lambeth retreat. The Archbishop of Canterbury was brilliant in addressing the ways in which we need to let Christ lead us and the ways in which we need to follow. Prior to his address, I attended our daily Eucharist and the Bible study that followed. In the Bible study, our group heard and saw by way of a DVD the tragic tale of one of our brother bishops who, living in northern India, has had his village, churches, schools and homes of his parishioners destroyed. This was not the act of Islamic extremists. It was the work of Hindu extremists.
I received, as did others in our group, a cross from the three bishops in our Bible study who come from the various areas of the cyclone devastated area of Myanmar, Burma. The cross is made of mahogany wood from a tree destroyed by the killer storm surge, and it is simple in design but poignant in symbolism. The cross has a tear drop carved at the place where the two arms intersect. On either side of the tear, carved into the arms of the cross are carved waves of destruction. And yet, they may be waves of baptism and new life as well. It is a simple and cherished gift from brother bishops in a land not too much like our own except that we all seek the same Lord to follow in his way.
This takes me back to our closing retreat address this morning. The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke of the leadership of Christians in general and of bishops in particular. Citing Hebrews 10:19-25, he observed that Jesus has opened a new way before us. He has gone ahead of us through the atonement and cross to clear the way through the veil and curtain of his body, through which we are to pass into the holy place where God is to be found. He went on to observe that Christian leaders lead by following Jesus’ way. The issue is, “How do we discern that way?”
Powerfully, he observed what we already know: “Our mission is not taking Jesus where he has not been before, but going where he has gone before us.” He went on to observe that such following should thereby give us courage to go with him. In my own word, I would say that courage, a major theme of Christian leadership in any era, is certainly needed today. But it is in following Christ where he has gone before us that we find the way to his way.
Citing a quote from the 1978 Lambeth Conference (with apologies to the speaker on that occasion, but I did not hear the Archbishop’s reference), he observed that bishops are to have “insight as well as oversight.” He compared this to St. Paul who, going down the Damascus road, was overcome by insight so disorienting that it led to blindness for him leading to the “effacement of well known images of reality so that a new vision may be seen.” More was said of significance, but I end with another comment he made that seemed to hold my attention. It was to this effect: Leadership of bishops is about the “opening of a new way” where the emphasis is less about command and decision. Rather, as the Archbishop reflected, when we examine our conscience, what brings me to my knees is often the “failure to hope in Christ”… “the failure to believe there is a new way.” Asking in his closing prayer that we pray for a “grateful clarity” about what God has, is and will be doing, he closed by citing Hebrews 2:9-15 and 12:1-2.
After a lunch break, Jeannie and I took the bus into Canterbury and did some shopping, had a “pint” at a local establishment, and later went to dinner with friends from North Carolina. I returned home with a day full of images, experiences and hopes. Tomorrow we go to Canterbury Cathedral for the “official” opening service at the Cathedral. I look forward to the day, and I look forward to staying in touch.
Until then, blessings, +Don
The Archbishop’s first address was focused on Galatians 1:15 and 16. As he noted, it is often translated by those who are not brave enough to go for the more literal translation from the Greek, “But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being.” The Archbishop pointed out that the more literal translation is “… through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me…”. This small but significant change became the crux of the Archbishop’s reflection. To be a place where God is revealed in me is to become a place where God revealed life, becomes a source of life within and through each of us who call him Lord.
On a more challenging note, the Archbishop observed that we do “love our fears and anxieties.” This was followed by an important reflection point for me: “God always creates a new situation when we pray.” Among the other challenging and encouraging words the Archbishop spoke were these, “We are bringing God’s future into existence in someone’s life each time we officiate at a confirmation, baptism or Eucharist.”
The Eucharist, according to the Archbishop, “judges us and heals us all at once.”
Following lunch and a very good conversation with a bishop from the Episcopal Church, we gathered again for the Archbishop’s second address. “The care we are called to give to God’s people” is our mission. We were charged to give thanks to those bishops in the past who had been the ones who confirmed and ordained us. I recalled Jack VanderHost, who confirmed and later ordained me as a deacon. I recalled Bill Sanders, who ordained me as a priest and who later joined Bert Herlong (Tennessee), Charles VonRosenberg (East Tennessee), Duncan Gray III (Mississippi) and the then Presiding Bishop, Frank Griswold, who were the chief consecrators for me as your bishop. I remember each one with fondness, appreciation and a sense of gratitude and responsibility for the trust they have place in me.
The Archbishop offered a closing prayer for the day in which he noted in passing that Christ is “bound to us as if nails hammered into wood.” With this powerful image of self-giving love, our first day of retreat came to a close.
Later that evening, I returned from Canterbury Cathedral, had dinner with Jeannie, and we finally found the laundry room, where I curled up with a book and washed clothes until midnight. Jeannie, showing her superior intelligence, went to bed early.
July 18, 2008 On this Friday, I left with the bishops for our second day of retreat at Canterbury Cathedral. The Archbishop gave two addresses today regarding the bishop as a “linguist” and the role of the bishop as a model of Christian community in relationship to his or her diocese and to other Christians around the world. He made a suggestion that I thought had great merit. Rather cautiously using the term covenant, the Archbishop suggested that one covenant bishops of the communion might make would be as follows: “combining rigor towards oneself (as did the Desert Fathers) and look on each other with a deep reluctance to condemn,” the Church might benefit if two or three bishops from around the world might adopt a common rule of life and hold one another in prayer and accountability to accomplish the rule that binds us together. He described this as a Benedictine model of community based on common discipline and the shape of prayer we are committed to offer in service to God.
Regarding the negative effects of fear on our lives as a communal people, the Archbishop observed that the only thing to do with fear is to put it in the presence of God. I might interpret this to mean that fear is overcome only if we truly entrust it and ourselves to God.
I had an opportunity to seek out a Franciscan monk for a bit of spiritual direction preceded by shared admiration of the Kentucky native, poet and essayist, Wendell Barry. Later, I met with another American bishop to continue the conversation I had started with Brother Sam of the Society of St. Francis. We returned to the nave of the Cathedral for our second night of evensong with the wonderful Cathedral men and boy choir leading the sung parts of the service. After we were dismissed for the evening, I met Jeannie and eight others who went out for an evening’s meal in Canterbury. We walked the thirty minutes back to the University of Kent from the town of Canterbury, and it is only now that I have had a chance to sit and compose thoughts on this day.
I know that there is another communication of images and reflections coming to you on a daily basis from the Episcopal Church communications offices. Jeannie is working on a reflection piece for you as well. I hope these will be combined to present a fair overview of an incredible experience of engaging Anglicans from around the world in the service of God in Christ. It is in this context that the importance of Communion makes most sense. We have one more half-day of retreat. This will take place on the University of Kent campus. Stay tuned.
July 19, 2008 Today was the final day of our Lambeth retreat. The Archbishop of Canterbury was brilliant in addressing the ways in which we need to let Christ lead us and the ways in which we need to follow. Prior to his address, I attended our daily Eucharist and the Bible study that followed. In the Bible study, our group heard and saw by way of a DVD the tragic tale of one of our brother bishops who, living in northern India, has had his village, churches, schools and homes of his parishioners destroyed. This was not the act of Islamic extremists. It was the work of Hindu extremists.
I received, as did others in our group, a cross from the three bishops in our Bible study who come from the various areas of the cyclone devastated area of Myanmar, Burma. The cross is made of mahogany wood from a tree destroyed by the killer storm surge, and it is simple in design but poignant in symbolism. The cross has a tear drop carved at the place where the two arms intersect. On either side of the tear, carved into the arms of the cross are carved waves of destruction. And yet, they may be waves of baptism and new life as well. It is a simple and cherished gift from brother bishops in a land not too much like our own except that we all seek the same Lord to follow in his way.
This takes me back to our closing retreat address this morning. The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke of the leadership of Christians in general and of bishops in particular. Citing Hebrews 10:19-25, he observed that Jesus has opened a new way before us. He has gone ahead of us through the atonement and cross to clear the way through the veil and curtain of his body, through which we are to pass into the holy place where God is to be found. He went on to observe that Christian leaders lead by following Jesus’ way. The issue is, “How do we discern that way?”
Powerfully, he observed what we already know: “Our mission is not taking Jesus where he has not been before, but going where he has gone before us.” He went on to observe that such following should thereby give us courage to go with him. In my own word, I would say that courage, a major theme of Christian leadership in any era, is certainly needed today. But it is in following Christ where he has gone before us that we find the way to his way.
Citing a quote from the 1978 Lambeth Conference (with apologies to the speaker on that occasion, but I did not hear the Archbishop’s reference), he observed that bishops are to have “insight as well as oversight.” He compared this to St. Paul who, going down the Damascus road, was overcome by insight so disorienting that it led to blindness for him leading to the “effacement of well known images of reality so that a new vision may be seen.” More was said of significance, but I end with another comment he made that seemed to hold my attention. It was to this effect: Leadership of bishops is about the “opening of a new way” where the emphasis is less about command and decision. Rather, as the Archbishop reflected, when we examine our conscience, what brings me to my knees is often the “failure to hope in Christ”… “the failure to believe there is a new way.” Asking in his closing prayer that we pray for a “grateful clarity” about what God has, is and will be doing, he closed by citing Hebrews 2:9-15 and 12:1-2.
After a lunch break, Jeannie and I took the bus into Canterbury and did some shopping, had a “pint” at a local establishment, and later went to dinner with friends from North Carolina. I returned home with a day full of images, experiences and hopes. Tomorrow we go to Canterbury Cathedral for the “official” opening service at the Cathedral. I look forward to the day, and I look forward to staying in touch.
Until then, blessings, +Don
Friday, July 18, 2008
Photo of Bishop Johnson in Wales
This photo and caption came from the Times Online blog of Ruth Gledhill, Religion Corespondent to British newspaper The Times. Juliet Pain, a regular contributor to the blog, sent in the picture and following caption."Mrs Irene Doull organised an open top bus tour for Newport in the Monmouth Diocese, where many bishops and their spouses are being hosted. She hitched a ride too and took the pic on her mobile. She tells me: 'Here are Bishop Don Johnson, Bishop of West Tennessee, Bishop James Leftwich, Assistant Bishop of North Queensland, Australia' Bishop Filadelfo Oliviera Neto, Coadjutor elect of Rio de Janeiro, Bishop David Beetge, Bishop of The Highveld, Southern Africa and our own Bishop Dominic Walker of Monmouth."
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Lambeth, Day 1
I write to you today as we approach the lunch hour in Canterbury and as many of you awake to greet what I hope for you is a pleasant 6:00 a.m. West Tennessee morning. My day started off with a moment of attempted “sports keeping” as it is known over here. I went to the gym and discovered that the English do not “sports keep” before 9:30 a.m. With this deterrent to my self-righteous effort at healthy living, I returned to the cafeteria of the University of Kent, met Jeannie emerging from the morning ablutions, and we went off to eat a less than healthy breakfast. But don’t say I didn’t try!
Breakfast was shared with a bishop familiar to a number of us in West Tennessee either through his writings or through his visit to the Diocese a couple of years ago. Bishop N.T. Wright of Durham, England joined us, as well as two bishops and one bishop’s spouse from Australia. It made for engaging conversation. (I noticed that they did not eat any healthier than I except for the other bishop’s spouse who ate only yogurt. She must have been seeking the cultured experience that such a dish will inevitably provide.)
The rest of the morning has been leisurely and technologically challenging. While Jeannie was off at a training session for those who were to be Bible study “animators”, I sat in the room trying to figure out how to use the computer to send messages via email to Memphis. I hope I have not deluded myself, but I think it may be working. Just goes to show that the age of miracles is not finished with us yet. Amen.
The afternoon went by quickly. Jeannie and I took a walk around the campus, bought a number of items from a local sundries shop, and gathered with others for afternoon “Tea”. This consisted more of conversation and connections than of actually the image of tea and crumpets that I had expected.
Later that evening, we joined the other one thousand or so people here and heard an overview of the events for the day ahead. An hour and a half later, we were dismissed for dinner. The lines were long, and Jeannie and I opted to join a group of Episcopal bishops for a glass of wine and conversation before we finally went to the refectory for dinner. Following the dinner, we continued our conversations before going to our dormitory rooms for the evening.
We had heard a variety of comments from the Conference coordinators at the evening session. However, I found that the following comments from Archbishop Williams, which were printed as part of his welcome letter to the delegates to the Conference, were instructive. I leave you with them for the evening.
“The chief aims of our time together are, first, that we become more confident in our Anglican identity, by deepening our awareness of how we are responsible to and for each other; and second, that we grow in energy and enthusiasm for our task of leading the work of mission in our Church.
“Our ministry takes place in the context of a needy and divided world, in which there is both deep fear and great suffering. Jesus Christ says again and again to his disciples, ‘Do not be afraid.’ These are words which I hope will echo for us each day as we meet and talk here. But they will sound in our hearts only when we have our eyes fixed on the reality of Christ’s unique saving person and on the world-transforming power of his resurrection.
“Our Bible studies will help us concentrate on these things, as we are led through the Gospel of St. John, reflecting on what Jesus says about himself. Our Communion is living through very difficult times and we are bound to be aware of the divisions and conflicts that have hurt us all in recent years. But as the Lord says (John 16:35), it is in union with him that we shall find peace.
“And that peace will be what makes the difference in our common life as a Church. More than that, it will be what shapes our whole engagement with the world. We do not offer a peace that is simply the result of the world’s processes, but the peace of the Son’s union with the Father in the Spirit, the eternal but ever-moving outpouring of love in communions. As we receive this and live our way into it, our whole vision of how the world is to be transfigured will be changed and developed.”
In the beginning of this Lambeth Conference, my hope is that the Archbishop has been accurate in summing up some of the key themes that are instrumental in making the life we share together in the Communion an ongoing reality. Keep us in your prayers as we, your bishops, leave tomorrow for a two day retreat at Canterbury Cathedral. May our time of prayer and reflection provide a context out of which the Spirit’s work at this Lambeth Conference will be faithful to the heart and plan of God’s mission in Christ.
Blessings, +Don
Breakfast was shared with a bishop familiar to a number of us in West Tennessee either through his writings or through his visit to the Diocese a couple of years ago. Bishop N.T. Wright of Durham, England joined us, as well as two bishops and one bishop’s spouse from Australia. It made for engaging conversation. (I noticed that they did not eat any healthier than I except for the other bishop’s spouse who ate only yogurt. She must have been seeking the cultured experience that such a dish will inevitably provide.)
The rest of the morning has been leisurely and technologically challenging. While Jeannie was off at a training session for those who were to be Bible study “animators”, I sat in the room trying to figure out how to use the computer to send messages via email to Memphis. I hope I have not deluded myself, but I think it may be working. Just goes to show that the age of miracles is not finished with us yet. Amen.
The afternoon went by quickly. Jeannie and I took a walk around the campus, bought a number of items from a local sundries shop, and gathered with others for afternoon “Tea”. This consisted more of conversation and connections than of actually the image of tea and crumpets that I had expected.
Later that evening, we joined the other one thousand or so people here and heard an overview of the events for the day ahead. An hour and a half later, we were dismissed for dinner. The lines were long, and Jeannie and I opted to join a group of Episcopal bishops for a glass of wine and conversation before we finally went to the refectory for dinner. Following the dinner, we continued our conversations before going to our dormitory rooms for the evening.
We had heard a variety of comments from the Conference coordinators at the evening session. However, I found that the following comments from Archbishop Williams, which were printed as part of his welcome letter to the delegates to the Conference, were instructive. I leave you with them for the evening.
“The chief aims of our time together are, first, that we become more confident in our Anglican identity, by deepening our awareness of how we are responsible to and for each other; and second, that we grow in energy and enthusiasm for our task of leading the work of mission in our Church.
“Our ministry takes place in the context of a needy and divided world, in which there is both deep fear and great suffering. Jesus Christ says again and again to his disciples, ‘Do not be afraid.’ These are words which I hope will echo for us each day as we meet and talk here. But they will sound in our hearts only when we have our eyes fixed on the reality of Christ’s unique saving person and on the world-transforming power of his resurrection.
“Our Bible studies will help us concentrate on these things, as we are led through the Gospel of St. John, reflecting on what Jesus says about himself. Our Communion is living through very difficult times and we are bound to be aware of the divisions and conflicts that have hurt us all in recent years. But as the Lord says (John 16:35), it is in union with him that we shall find peace.
“And that peace will be what makes the difference in our common life as a Church. More than that, it will be what shapes our whole engagement with the world. We do not offer a peace that is simply the result of the world’s processes, but the peace of the Son’s union with the Father in the Spirit, the eternal but ever-moving outpouring of love in communions. As we receive this and live our way into it, our whole vision of how the world is to be transfigured will be changed and developed.”
In the beginning of this Lambeth Conference, my hope is that the Archbishop has been accurate in summing up some of the key themes that are instrumental in making the life we share together in the Communion an ongoing reality. Keep us in your prayers as we, your bishops, leave tomorrow for a two day retreat at Canterbury Cathedral. May our time of prayer and reflection provide a context out of which the Spirit’s work at this Lambeth Conference will be faithful to the heart and plan of God’s mission in Christ.
Blessings, +Don
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The Road to Canterbury: Pre-Lambeth Reflections
Day one. Our Lambeth journey begins with a plane that does not fly. We went to the Memphis airport on July 10 at noon. We left at 6:00 p.m. for home because bad weather in Atlanta caused us to miss our connection to London. Therefore, we repeated the process again on the 11th with much greater success.
Day two. We left on that Friday at 10:00 a.m. and arrived Saturday at Gatwick Airport, London at about 1:30 p.m. From there we boarded a train to Newport, Wales. At this point we felt that our real pilgrimage had begun.
Blessed with a wonderful placement at Risca, Wales, Jeannie and I began three days of non-stop immersion into this place of rugged beauty. We were blessed to be hosted by the Venerable John Blackburn and his wife, Ann. I should add that their terrier, Ramsey (named for the former Archbishop of Canterbury) was also an integral part of their family. The squeaky toy treat we brought Ramsey from our two boxer puppies was a big hit. He ran through the backyard making figure eights and swinging the toy in his mouth as if he had caught a great intruder and was giving it a through thrashing.
Our first evening included a lovely outdoor gathering at the vicarage. We met people from the parish where Vicar John and Ann were serving. John’s background was in the military as a chaplain. He had retired from the post and had done a wonderful job as Vicar for St. Margaret’s.
Day three. On Sunday, I walked from the Vicarage to St. Margaret’s, about a ten minute walk through the town. Jeannie and I were welcomed by the congregation, and I was privileged to preach and celebrate as well as to dedicate the newly renovated porch entrance to the nave. Following the service, the parishioners offered us a wonderful reception at which one of the parishioners, Dave, had put together a display of artifacts from the coal mining history of the area. This driving force for the Welsh economy had all but come to an end with the use of other fuel sources, but recent advances in the cost of gasoline have opened the possibility of making the coal extraction costs worthy of reconsideration. Dave, who provided the display, was more than kind to do so. His wife of many years had died only a week or so earlier, and his generous commitment to prepare this display is all the more admirable on his part.
Sunday following services, Jeannie and I joined Vicar John, Ann, the Wardens and their husbands for lunch at the vicarage. Four hours later we finished a wonderful time of fellowship with the awareness from Jeannie and me that it is rare for us to sit for such a time of sharing on a Sunday afternoon.
Sunday evening ended with Evensong at the Cathedral. It is a Norman structure with many original features that even predate this construction phase. At that time, we met the other bishops who had been assigned to Wales for our pre-Lambeth welcome. David and his wife, Carol, are from South Africa. Jim and his wife, Lala, are from Australia. Filidelphio and his wife, Dulce, are from Rio. Our host, Bishop Dominic, is originally from England but comes to this ministry with Welsh roots. He was most gracious in inviting us, and we were particularly excited to have been assigned to be with John and Ann Blackburn. We were immediately struck by the genuine love and character of these good people. On Sunday night, after all the other activities of the day, the Vicar and I stayed up until midnight and, over a wee dram of very good Scotch whiskey, discussed the experiences and thoughts we had on life in parish ministry. I would say it is a fair comment to say that I learned a lot from the Vicar.
Day four. Monday was a full day of sightseeing. Our bishops’ and spouses’ group climbed aboard a two-level open top bus and were given a tour of the town of Newport, the see city of the Diocese of Monmouth, our host group. Following the day-long outing, we attended a farewell gathering at Bishop Dominic’s home with some twenty or more people. We were, throughout our trip, wined and dined on the wonderful Welsh and English food that people so generously made, as we were frequently told, from scratch. Fantastic. As a farewell gesture, Bishop Dominic gave each bishop and his spouse a lovely Celtic cross as a reminder of this time together.
We ended our evening at the Bishop’s home and returned to the Vicarage for an earlier evening’s rest. Tuesday was packing day, and we joined another group of bishops who were traveling toward Canterbury and made our way by bus to that awaited site for our conference to begin. These bishops and spouses include some from Jamaica, North Carolina, Rio and West Tennessee. Our driver, Jim, is a priest of the Diocese of Monmouth and works as a development officer on the diocesan staff. A former lorry driver turned priest, he was well suited to take our group on the four and a half hour drive from Wales to the University of Kent in Canterbury.
Arriving at about 5:00 p.m. in Canterbury, Jeannie and I waited for our luggage to be delivered to our two adjoining but, alas, separate dormitory rooms. We had heard that this was going to be the case, but it was still not what we had hoped in the course of this three and a half week conference. We are trying to figure out how to move our separate sleeping arrangements into one room and all our desks and chests of drawers into the other. We will see what we can do over time, but for tonight we are saying good night at the door and sleeping near but not together.
Before calling it a night, we began reconnecting with friends from the states and around the world. One of the first couples we met was the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan, and his wife, Jane. We had a brief but lively conversation, and they were thrilled to find that we had just left the diocese where he had been bishop before coming to Canterbury. As bishop of Monmouth, Wales, the Archbishop also said how much he and Jane held Risca, where we had been staying, in a special place in their hearts. We found this moment of making new connections to be a good sign as a way to begin this time of making new friends and companions in the service of Christ. Recalling this, it seems a good place to end our pre-Lambeth reflections as we look forward to the beginning of our Lambeth pilgrimage with the bishops of the Anglican Communion tomorrow.
Canterbury blessings, +Don
Day two. We left on that Friday at 10:00 a.m. and arrived Saturday at Gatwick Airport, London at about 1:30 p.m. From there we boarded a train to Newport, Wales. At this point we felt that our real pilgrimage had begun.
Blessed with a wonderful placement at Risca, Wales, Jeannie and I began three days of non-stop immersion into this place of rugged beauty. We were blessed to be hosted by the Venerable John Blackburn and his wife, Ann. I should add that their terrier, Ramsey (named for the former Archbishop of Canterbury) was also an integral part of their family. The squeaky toy treat we brought Ramsey from our two boxer puppies was a big hit. He ran through the backyard making figure eights and swinging the toy in his mouth as if he had caught a great intruder and was giving it a through thrashing.
Our first evening included a lovely outdoor gathering at the vicarage. We met people from the parish where Vicar John and Ann were serving. John’s background was in the military as a chaplain. He had retired from the post and had done a wonderful job as Vicar for St. Margaret’s.
Day three. On Sunday, I walked from the Vicarage to St. Margaret’s, about a ten minute walk through the town. Jeannie and I were welcomed by the congregation, and I was privileged to preach and celebrate as well as to dedicate the newly renovated porch entrance to the nave. Following the service, the parishioners offered us a wonderful reception at which one of the parishioners, Dave, had put together a display of artifacts from the coal mining history of the area. This driving force for the Welsh economy had all but come to an end with the use of other fuel sources, but recent advances in the cost of gasoline have opened the possibility of making the coal extraction costs worthy of reconsideration. Dave, who provided the display, was more than kind to do so. His wife of many years had died only a week or so earlier, and his generous commitment to prepare this display is all the more admirable on his part.
Sunday following services, Jeannie and I joined Vicar John, Ann, the Wardens and their husbands for lunch at the vicarage. Four hours later we finished a wonderful time of fellowship with the awareness from Jeannie and me that it is rare for us to sit for such a time of sharing on a Sunday afternoon.
Sunday evening ended with Evensong at the Cathedral. It is a Norman structure with many original features that even predate this construction phase. At that time, we met the other bishops who had been assigned to Wales for our pre-Lambeth welcome. David and his wife, Carol, are from South Africa. Jim and his wife, Lala, are from Australia. Filidelphio and his wife, Dulce, are from Rio. Our host, Bishop Dominic, is originally from England but comes to this ministry with Welsh roots. He was most gracious in inviting us, and we were particularly excited to have been assigned to be with John and Ann Blackburn. We were immediately struck by the genuine love and character of these good people. On Sunday night, after all the other activities of the day, the Vicar and I stayed up until midnight and, over a wee dram of very good Scotch whiskey, discussed the experiences and thoughts we had on life in parish ministry. I would say it is a fair comment to say that I learned a lot from the Vicar.
Day four. Monday was a full day of sightseeing. Our bishops’ and spouses’ group climbed aboard a two-level open top bus and were given a tour of the town of Newport, the see city of the Diocese of Monmouth, our host group. Following the day-long outing, we attended a farewell gathering at Bishop Dominic’s home with some twenty or more people. We were, throughout our trip, wined and dined on the wonderful Welsh and English food that people so generously made, as we were frequently told, from scratch. Fantastic. As a farewell gesture, Bishop Dominic gave each bishop and his spouse a lovely Celtic cross as a reminder of this time together.
We ended our evening at the Bishop’s home and returned to the Vicarage for an earlier evening’s rest. Tuesday was packing day, and we joined another group of bishops who were traveling toward Canterbury and made our way by bus to that awaited site for our conference to begin. These bishops and spouses include some from Jamaica, North Carolina, Rio and West Tennessee. Our driver, Jim, is a priest of the Diocese of Monmouth and works as a development officer on the diocesan staff. A former lorry driver turned priest, he was well suited to take our group on the four and a half hour drive from Wales to the University of Kent in Canterbury.
Arriving at about 5:00 p.m. in Canterbury, Jeannie and I waited for our luggage to be delivered to our two adjoining but, alas, separate dormitory rooms. We had heard that this was going to be the case, but it was still not what we had hoped in the course of this three and a half week conference. We are trying to figure out how to move our separate sleeping arrangements into one room and all our desks and chests of drawers into the other. We will see what we can do over time, but for tonight we are saying good night at the door and sleeping near but not together.
Before calling it a night, we began reconnecting with friends from the states and around the world. One of the first couples we met was the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan, and his wife, Jane. We had a brief but lively conversation, and they were thrilled to find that we had just left the diocese where he had been bishop before coming to Canterbury. As bishop of Monmouth, Wales, the Archbishop also said how much he and Jane held Risca, where we had been staying, in a special place in their hearts. We found this moment of making new connections to be a good sign as a way to begin this time of making new friends and companions in the service of Christ. Recalling this, it seems a good place to end our pre-Lambeth reflections as we look forward to the beginning of our Lambeth pilgrimage with the bishops of the Anglican Communion tomorrow.
Canterbury blessings, +Don
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)