Bishops return from Lambeth

It was predicted to end in split and division. More than six hundred and seventy bishops from the Anglican Communion across the world gathered at the University of Kent in Canterbury from July  16 to August 3 for the 10 yearly Lambeth Conference. Journalists filled forests of newsprint and hours of TV and radio with gloom and controversy. But the reality for those taking part was very different  - ‘joyous’, ‘uplifting’ and ‘inspiring’ were some of the descriptions. Representing Ripon and Leeds were Bishop John Packer, Barbara Packer and Bishop James Bell..

Bishop John writes:

The Conference has been powerfully set in the context of prayer and worship, which has deepened my own commitment to God, and to the world-wide Communion.  The Archbishop of Canterbury led our retreat in the Cathedral, speaking of our need to ‘learn new languages’, that is to hear those who come from very different cultures and contexts to our own.  Bishop Duleep of Colombo preached on the importance of our links with one another and love for one another.  In our daily 7.15 a.m. eucharist we have experienced worship, for example, from Korea, where the first official eucharist for 40 years in North Korea has just taken place, and from Zimbabwe at this moment of crisis and hope.  That praying for one another is at the heart of our teaching and learning. 

Barbara Packer writes: -

The highlight of the Spouses’ Conference for me is hearing the stories of other spouses and of the Dioceses in which they live and work, often playing a major part in leadership and hospitality, alongside jobs and family life. Jessica, a nurse, in Butere, West Kenya, teaches the congregations about malaria as her husband conducts worship, in a Diocese with no tarmac anywhere! American Patsy lives with her husband in the slums of Madagascar, seeking to help the poorest of the poor.  The plenary sessions give us the chance to discuss issues such as vocation and gender violence in many parts of the World. The daily Bible Study group of nine which I lead, with the help of an interpreter, gives the opportunity to provide personal support and encouragement to those working in very difficult circumstances. 

Bishop James writes: -

Lambeth: Stories, Sacrament, Scripture, Solidarity.  The stories are one of the wonderful gifts to the Conference so far: rich and moving stories from as far afield as Miami and Myanmar, the Arctic and Australia, stories of suffering and joy, stories of difference.  Difference, to be sure, is one of the strongest impressions of the life of the Communion (and of the role of its bishops), differences to be celebrated rather than suppressed!  So what binds us together?  Sacrament and Scripture have been the two other great gifts of Lambeth ’08.  We’ve experienced moving celebrations of Christ’s uniting presence, Christ’s reconciling sacrifice, and we’ve taken part in engaging Bible Studies – small groups of people speaking from – and to – the head, heart and soul.  Perhaps the best gift of all was that of solidarity in the End Poverty Walk, a solidarity not for our own sakes but for the sake of the world.