Sunday, July 27, 2008

It is 8 a.m. and I will have breakfast and then leave for the train into London. I will spend the day with an English friend, Carl -- who I studied with at the University of Sussex for a year (my junior year abroad) and then head to Heathrow for an 8:30 p.m. flight home. I am torn -- part of me is ready to come home and part of me wishes I was staying!

I feel that I accomplished so much here. But first, let me pick up where I left off Friday night. Saturday, as I said, was the Eucharist with the Australians presiding -- the homilist was Bishop George Browning, chair of the Anglican Environmental Network, who I know quite well. (I have been the provincial representative from The Episcopal Church on this network.) He issued the challenge for the bishops to go back to their dioceses and take action -- we have the moral authority to do so. The rest of the day was very low-key. First, the photos. I was in the first one -- 10 a.m. -- with the staff. The staff consists of the stewards (Michael Sniffen from our diocese being one), the secretariat, the media, the translators, the scribes from the indaba groups, etc. etc. The Archbishop and his wife, Jane, sat right in front. We had quite a lot of laughs as they tried to assemble the 250 of us on bleachers they had set up for the occasion. Fortunately, it was a lovely day (hot, though!) and a beautiful setting (the campus sits on a hill overlooking the Cathedral and the city of Canterbury). I think we were the test case for the two photos to come. At 11:00 was the spouses -- how beautiful to see so many in their national dress. Then 2:00 was the photo of the bishops. Quite a lot of laughs -- and songs -- during it all.

I then went into Canterbury for a few hours and walked the lovely streets, did some shopping and just enjoyed the break. I walked back UP the hill (and I mean up!) to the campus in time for the Evensong -- led by our church, The Episcopal Church. Bishop Cathy Roskam (NY) and Bishop Michael Curry (NC) read the Genesis 1 lesson together (Michael played the voice of God...I'll have to ask how they chose the parts). The Bishops and Spouses chorus -- apparently one that is at every House of Bishops meeting -- were marvelous. And the 5 minute DVD on our province (a tradition of every evensong) was fabulous -- Bishop Catharine's installation, work in New Orleans, Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen in NYC, EYE, missionaries in Africa,, etc.

After the evensong I went to the Inclusive Church (www.inclusivechurch.net) Eucharist and so many Newark folks and alumni -- Mark, Jon Richardson, Michael Sniffen, Cynthia Black and maybe more (Elizabeth Kaeton was away at another town to celebrate and preach today). Fortunately, there were many more people then they expected -- they ran out of programs, just about ran out of bread and wine (I couldn't help but think of the feeding of the 5000 -- they made it go to the last person), and food and drink at the reception was gone immediately. I was very glad for it all -- they have really worked for a long time (years?) to have the presence they needed to have at this Conference. Every day they put out a newsletter -- they are on line -- and I have copies of each to bring home. Afterwards, drinks with some colleagues and friends, home to pack, and then finally bed!

I need to stop now so as to make my train on time. I WILL write when I get home to give final reflections...

Martha

Friday, July 25, 2008

Yesterday was marvelous. It was "London Day!" Breakfast beginning at 6:00 a.m. and then almost 1600 of us loaded onto many buses at 7:15 and headed into London. The ride was about 3 1/2 hours and we assembled at Whitehall Place for the "Walk for Witness" against Poverty (and for the MDG's.) It was an amazing feat to pull off, working with the London police, etc. Approximately 600 bishops in their purple cassocks, plus spouses, and others marched. We walked past Parliament/Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and crossed the bridge to Lambeth Palace where the Archbishop of Canterbury lives. Media was everywhere! There were speeches by the Archbishop, the Prime Minister of England (Gordon Brown) and my boss, Hellen. (Gordon Brown said it was the largest religious gathering of this kind the city of London had ever seen. I will send the link for his talk - it was remarkable.) Then lunch in the largest tent I have ever seen - 1600 seated. I sat at a table with our bishop, Mark, and his wife Marilyn. I also introduced myself to the Archbishop, as one of his "staff" members and he was most gracious and said if there is anything he can do to help Hellen and our office, he would.

Then a bus to Buckingham Palace - arrived around 3:00 - for the "garden tea party." We could walk the grounds (small lake, flower gardens) for an hour - it was unbelievable to be there. THEN, the queen and her husband, Prince Philip, came out at 4:00 -- we had created two lines with a path in the middle. (The beefeaters were stationed along the pathway... looking very hot in their full uniforms!) I didn't get to shake either of their hands but I was probably about 5 feet away. She was delightful - she slowly moved down the line for about an hour, greeting and chatting with many. Then she took tea with about 100 invited guests and then left to applause at 5:30. She wound her way back to the steps behind the palace, where they began, and gave us her famous wave. We were served drinks (iced coffee, juices) and tea sandwiches and desserts. Apparently, we were a small tea party -- we were only about 2000 (there were other Church of England guests) -- most tea parties apparently are 8,000! All in all a memorable day that will live with me for a long time.

Our bus home took us past Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London and then it only took about 2 hours to get home. I had dinner with George Councell - bishop of NJ, and his wife, and Bishop Councell summed up most of the feelings of folks from the day, especially the walk of witness - THIS is what the church is about.

Today, Friday - our 7:15 Eucharist was done by the Church of North India and Bangladesh. I spent the rest of the day visiting the spouse's conference (who had a speaker on the environment), talking with folks about the UN Office and visiting the Marketplace (exhibitors) I went to two "fringe" events - one sponsored by the International Anglican Women's Network and one by the Anglican Urban Network - both of which I will work with in my new job. I'm also making my list of tasks to do when I get home -- especially working on some big events we will do in September around the special UN General Assembly Day (September 25) which the secretary general has called for to discuss MDG's. We are working with the UK Mission and will be doing an interfaith service and hopefully some symbolic act (like yesterday's march) - stay tuned, since we'll want as much participation as possible. Tonight's Evensong was sponsored by the Spouses' Conference and Jane Williams' (wife of the Archbishop) reflections were right on target as to how the spouses see themselves with their husband/wife's ministry and the ministry of the church. Tonight's plenary was on the environment with a scientist and two bishops - one from the "north" (Australia) and one from the "south" (Mozambique) challenging us. And since it's now 12:20 a.m. Saturday morning, it's time for me to walk back to my dorm to catch a few hours of sleep before tomorrow's 7:15 Eucharist (being led by the Australians with reflections on the environment.)

Martha

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

It was lovely to discover that Elizabeth Kaeton was traveling on the same flight as me. Arriving at Gatwick Airport at 7 a.m. Monday, we made our way on the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station in London and then the 1 1/2 hour train ride to Canterbury. The ride was a delightful one through bucolic English countryside. We arrived in Canterbury around 11 a.m. and I made my way to the campus of the University of Kent where the Lambeth Conference is taking place. Compared to what the bishops and their spouses went through on registration day last week, mine only took a couple of minutes. By Monday evening I figured out that since I am a Anglican Communion staff member (the red lanyard) I am able to go to all events. I consider myself truly blessed to do so because, unfortunately, exhibitors, visitors, etc. are not able to go to most events.

After registering, I made my way over to Keynes College where the bishops are having their Indaba groups every morning (Indaba is a Zulu word meaning gathering or meeting). I set up my exhibit (Anglican United Nations office) in the foyer, where the other Anglican networks and offices have exhibits. It has been a great spot to be! After a few hours of “meet and greet” I made my way over to my dorm room – spartan, but comfortable (and I’m certainly not in it very much!) I then found my way over to the Marketplace – in the sports center – where the exhibits are set up. Didn’t last long because the Episcopal Foundation was having a reception in the evening and invited me – so I grabbed a ride with Rob Radtke (President of ERD), Luke Fodor of ERD, and Margaret Rose downtown to Canterbury (it’s about a 10 minute walk from the campus down the hill.) We had an hour to walk around (what a lovely city!) and then met up with Rob’s wife and drove to the hotel where the reception was taking place. The Foundation invited the U.S. bishops and their spouses and it was a good place to connect with them – some who I knew, and some who I met for the first time. How lovely to see Prince Singh in his purple! I saw Mark (Beckwith) for the second time, having run into him earlier in the day. The bishops and their spouses had to return for an 8:00 plenary…and we made it back shortly after. Then it was time to find one of the pubs on campus for a pint of English beer... and then finally some sleep!

I should state that there are two parallel conferences taking place – the spouses conference and the bishops’ conference. The bishops began the conference retreat on Thursday (the 17th) which continued for 3 days. All the bishops I have spoken with said it was invaluable and a wonderful way to begin. Sunday was The Conference Service at Canterbury Cathedral. In the afternoon, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, gave his presidential address (http://www.lambethconference.org/daily/news.cfm/2008/7/20/ACNS4440). Beginning Monday, the 21st, every day has a theme. Day One was Celebrating Common Ground: The Bishop and Anglican Identify. Day Two was Proclaiming the Good News: The Bishop and Evangelism. Most days start with worship at 7:15 in the Big Top – a tent set up to accommodate the bishops and their spouses. Worship on Monday was led by the Korean Church and today, Tuesday, by the Church of the Province of Central Africa. It is truly humbling to be worshipping with folks from every part of the globe. After service is breakfast (with a LONG queue!) and then the bishops head to bible study, and the spouses to plenaries. "Tea" at 10:30 followed by the indaba groups for the bishops. Lunch at 1:00 followed by "self-select" groups (i.e. workshops) in the afternoon (with tea in the middle, of course), evening prayer, dinner and a plenary at 8:15. As you can see, they are very full, rich days!

It is so difficult to put into words all the experiences and feelings of being here. It has been a joy to speak to so many bishops about the work of my office - the Anglican Communion office at the United Nations - and find ways that our office can support them. Given that our office's focuses are poverty, MDG’s, sustainable development and environment, human rights, HIV and AIDS, gender issues and more, we are finding lots of ways to partner with dioceses in countries which are suffering greatly.

I'm also trying to figure out how to be in many places at once -- my exhibit table, the marketplace where lots of exhibitors are located, the spouses' conference and the bishops' gatherings. Haven't figured it out yet!

I had my first sighting of the Archbishop and not surprisingly, from what I have heard about him, he looked absolutely delighted to be sitting out on the grass in a circle with the International Anglican Youth Network reps who are here.

Tuesday night I went to the plenary with a representative from the Vatican speaking on evangelism, mission and social justice. Having been trained by the Jesuits myself, I had hoped for a provocative and prophetic talk on social justice, but unfortunately it was a bit disappointing and didn't meet my expectations.

That's it for now -- my next "blog" will be on Wednesday's theme which is "Transforming Society: The Bishop and Social Justice." There is also the first scheduled hearing of the Conference -- by the Windsor Continuation Group. We'll see what happens....

Martha