Lambeth Blog Final

I am at home again. It is lovely....but I think my time at the Lambeth Conference as been one of the highlights of my life. I thank God for it.

Sunday came to a close with another amazing service in Canterbury Cathedral. After many words of thanks during our final plenary in the Big Top we all boarded buses one again. I sat this time with one of my Scottish Bishops. Newly elected to Aberdeen and someone I thought might have been critical of the way things are, he had nothing but praise and admiration for the things Rowan had said in his closing address and for the general feeling of hope for the future. We agreed it may take until the next Lambeth and maybe beyond for the sexuality issues to be resolved but we are going home feeling a strengthening of ties and a confidence in the future of our beloved communion.

Final Plenary Session

Archbishop Rowan Williams delevers the final plenary address

The Cathedral was packed with a variety of colours intermingled with purple dresses! . The Choir excelled themselves. We sang music we had grown accustomed to, women read the lessons, Rowan preached. I can't remember a thing he said!! Sorry.

It rained. With my PNG umbrella over two from Cjile not dressed for an English summer we trecked round the gardens into a hastily arranged inside venue for the "picnic". The food was splendid as was the drink (Bishop's Ale) but I was driving home later so I watched everyone getting inebriated together, dancing to a Big Band (the Bishop of Edinburgh has REALLY gone up in my estimation!) and generally enjoying the fun.

Archbishop Sentamu on the drums

I will be 75 next time. Do you think they will still want me on the staff! Thank you for listening. Bless you xx