Bishop Baxter at Lambeth - July 16

Editor's note:

We are reprinting Bishop Baxter's Lambeth Journal for those who may be interested in it.

July 16, 2008

Dear Friends in Christ,

Mary Ellen and I are experiencing our second official day of the Decennial Lambeth Conference, being held at Kent University in Cambridge, England. I say official because we have been here for four days arriving on the 14th.

There are two simultaneous conference at Lambeth: the Bishops' Conference led by the Archbishop of Canterbury; and the Bishops Spouses' Conference led by the Archbishop's wife, Dr. Jane Williams. Spouses have intense daily bible study and conversation groups,special classes and worship (Bishops and spouses share in the daily Eucharist.) We were delighted to discover Dr. Williams chose Mary Ellen to be one of the daily group Bible study facilitators. She was initially a bit reluctant, but after the two day training session and two days of experience she is enjoying the responsibility. Her group includes persons from India, England, Australia and Canada. My group leader is a Bishop from a new diocese in Madagascar and includes New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and New Guinea. The Bible discussions thus far are rich, contextual and lively.

The Archbishop has designated that the first three days of the Bishops Conference be a retreat. So, rising after a 7:15 a.m. Eucharist in the big top tent (which serves a the central worship space for the conference)we board buses and go to Canterbury Cathedral for day long mediations and worship. It is impressive to see hundreds of bishops from every continent gathered in prayer, learning, and worship. The spirit is robust, and many new relationships are being formed. Archbishop Williams' meditations are in form of pastoral challenges about the ministry of being a bishop:
1. Bishop as one in whom others can see Christ;

2. Bishop as with the integrity to gather and care for all of the people of God, even those with whom he or she may be in disagreement;

3. Bishop as one grounded in the Gospel who moves among the people in various locations, constantly learning to proclaim the Gospel in the language, experience and stories unique to each community.

4. Bishop as a leader modeling communion with the diocese and other bishops, in mission, conflict resolution and witness. In Anglicanism the Christian faith of a individual, congregation or diocese is diminished when lived in isolation from the rest. Each day of the retreat ends with evensong and the voices of Canterbury Cathedral men and boys choir' echoing throughout that ancient sacred space.

The protesting absence of several major Provinces of the Communion is painfully evident.(Surprisingly, some bishops from these provinces have risk to come and participate). However, the small group and public prayers of the Conference continue to lift them up with love and concern. Nonetheless, the spirit of the Conference seems increasingly positive---both frank and respectful thus far; suggesting a desire to build deeper relationship and commitment to Communion as a basis for addressing the hard issues and common mission before us. The prayers of Episcopal and Anglican congregations around the globe is truly having effect. As St. James wrote to his congregations: "The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective". [James 5:16]. Please continue the prayers.

Til my next diary entry, Grace and Peace in Christ.

+Nathan
a Lambeth Pilgrim