Lambeth Blog 14

Saturday 2nd August

A misty, moisty morning in Canterbury.

Our theme for today is PRACTICING a Future UNITY.......at least that is in the Spouses Tent. As we joined together in the Big Top for the morning Eucharist it was obvious that many were missing. No sunshine to get us going perhaps. The service was led by the five Bishops who are here from Kenya (with AB John Sentamu playing his drum!). Their wives sat close on the front row and joined in the singing with gusto supporting their men. It was a very emotional service. I think those of us there felt the huge miss of Rwanda, Nigeria, Uganda and all the others from Kenya and other parts of our Communion unable to come.

Making an angel

"So some have come who need your help
and some have come to make amends
as hands which shaped and saved the world
are present in the touch of friends.
Lord let your spirit meet us here
to mend the body, mind, and soul,
to disentangle peace from pain
and make your broken people whole."

Archbishop Rowan Williams

And if praying and singing can do it surely today will swing the vote. For the Spouses Tent continued at 9.15 with worship on until 11.30. AB Rowan joined us. We ate cherries and planted the stones, there being no grapes with pips in British Supermarkets (the Vine thing!!) Some of us will bring them home to plant and grow. Watch out for Tanzanian cherry trees growing in Ashtead! There was an immense feeling of hope and unity in our place, but then thats women for you.......is it?

As I walk about (I am walking much more slowly than in the beginning) I see Fringe events, I pick up free offers of book marks, prayer cards etc. I have even bought some Holy socks for the boys. The MU stall in the Market Place is popular with many, even those who in the past have shunned our organisation. At this Conference they have heard so many good things about the MU that they are turning up at the stall to meet members of the Trustee Board and members of Staff from Mary Sumner House who are there daily to chat and get to know those who come. I have met many of the very willing volunteers from Canterbury Diocese who are here every day helping in all sorts of ways to make the day run smoothly. A great debt is owed to these volunteers and those who have helped with the many outings around Kent villages which Spouses and some Bishops have been able to enjoy. Their last job will be to get everyone, and their luggage, to the correct bus stop, train station, airport starting from 3.30am on Monday morning.

HTB team and Nicky Gumbel

Some snippets from todays conversations:
" Collosians 3 12: We need to clothe ourselves.............: this is something active not passive, choosing to practice and LIVE unity."
"The Bishops are struggling, born out of the need for one-ness"
"We are there to help and support BUT we are not carbon copies......we are all different and see in our own way"
"What is it that God is saying to me today? How can I share this with others, with a real sense of integrity"
"We are the body of Christ............We say this, LET US MEAN IT, let us live it. This is God's church. We are HIS servants and TOGETHER we are going to walk ahead".

Hilary Hill (Guildford), Blessing and Sally Thompson

Getting particular praise are the small Bible Reading groups where participants have had the opportunity to grow together as they have studied St John's Gospel over these 2 weeks. This is a gift we have been encouraged to take away. This afternoon at 5.00 I will be helping to dismantle the Vine. What was whole will become many. Each Conference attendee will be encouraged to take away a leaf. This too will be planted in parishes around our Communion as Bishops, Spouses, Volunteers, Stewards, Chaplains, Staff and even the Media representatives tell the story of the vine. Some may replicate it in their own place, but even if not physically, surely this vine will grow in every corner of the world and help to keep the unity which we are all so earnestly praying for.

In the name of Christ xx