Message from Bishop Adams to the People of Central New York
Dear Clergy and People of Central New York,
It was overwhelming. As I processed into Canterbury Cathedral this Sunday morning with approximately 680 bishops of the Anglican Communion, my heart was carried up to the vaulted ceilings of that magnificent and storied cathedral as the glory of God became manifest among us. The worship was grand with an eclectic mixture of organ, men and boys choir and Melanesian dancers with drums and flute leading the Gospel procession. The sermon, given by the Right Reverend Duleep de Chickera, Bishop of Colombo (Sri Lanka), was an example of some of the best Anglicanism has to offer.
Even reciting the Nicene Creed took on a special proportion as I sensed the communion of saints in a place of worship that has housed God’s people for over 1000 years and as I stood in front of the tomb of a 15th century Archbishop of Canterbury. Gazing upon the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, sitting in the chair of St. Augustine as he presided at the Eucharist, also connected me to a great cloud of witnesses. And then, in that moment of grandeur with all of the above and more swirling around me, I remembered all of you in Central New York, offering you to God in prayer for our common mission and recalling specific ones of you dealing with difficult things right now as I asked God’s grace, mercy and healing. I am privileged to stand in this place as your bishop and participate in this 2008 Lambeth Conference. Thank you.
The first days of the Conference we have been on retreat led by Archbishop Williams. We have met at Canterbury Cathedral where the Archbishop has led us with five presentations as he had us reflect on God’s mission and the bishop’s discipleship. Time for prayer, confession and other spiritual disciplines have bracketed each day. We are studying the Gospel of John throughout the Conference and following a daily Eucharist at 7:15 AM, we go from breakfast to a Bible study where I am joined by six bishops from the Sudan, Cyprus and England. I am the only North American and the conversation is rich.
Starting tomorrow (Monday the 21st) we move into the study and reflection portion of the Conference. Each day, again beginning with Eucharist and Bible study, will give us an opportunity to consider such topics as: “The Bishop and Anglican Identity;” “The Bishop and Evangelism;” “The Bishop and Social Justice;” “The Bishop and the Environment;” “The Bishop and Human Sexuality;” and “The Bishop as a Leader in God’s Mission;” and more. We will of course spend time looking at the proposed Anglican Covenant as well as the Windsor Process. Then there are many self-select sessions offered over several days from which we will be able to choose. Of course interspersed throughout are the informal conversations with bishops and spouses from around the world and the renewing of old friendships.
I do encourage you to follow the Lambeth Conference on line through the web site of The Episcopal Church or through many of the links sent to you by the diocesan office last week. I call your attention again to the opportunity to follow me and the other bishops on line for the “Walk of Witness” through London to Lambeth Palace on the morning of July 24. This is to draw attention to the Millennium Development Goals and our Communion’s desire to be an agent of God’s justice and transformation for all God’s people. Later in the day we will go to the Buckingham Palace garden party where Her Majesty the Queen will join us for tea.
Do continue to keep us all in your prayer as the Conference continues through August 3rd. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Bishop Skip
July 20, 2008
Canterbury
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