Lambeth 4

Dear Friends in Christ:

Today we had the official Conference photograph. More than 600 bishops, fully vested, standing for half an hour outside on a very hot and humid afternoon, packed together so tightly that it was impossible to move my arms from my side. I remembered not to lock my knees, but couldn't bend them when I tried. (Remember this description when you actually see the photograph....)

Last Thursday we all put on our purple cassocks, and together with spouses, marched from Whitehall to Lambeth Palace. A thousand of us on the streets of the heart of London in the middle of the business day. As you know, the demonstration was in support of a request for a renewed commitment on the part of government to the work of the Millennium Development Goals. (There will be an appeal to the U.N. on this matter in September.) What you might not know--the secular press here, at any rate, gave it slight or distorted coverage--is that the Prime Minister addressed us at the conclusion of the march. A journalist who knows him said that this was one of his most heartfelt and passionate speeches. In it, he not only expressed his own commitment to the MDGs; he also described our march as one of the most important demonstrations of faith ever seen in London. That may be a bit of a stretch, but he said it. Would have been nice if the press had mentioned it. (Instead, the major paper I looked into next day had a ridiculous story about uncovering a TEC conspiracy to have our bishops wage a covert propaganda war at the Conference, and to manipulate the press!)

I found myself giving thanks that we have an Archbishop of Canterbury who would think to organize such a demonstration. I am thankful also for the gracious and non-anxious leadership he is showing here. He has certainly not had an easy time of it. (He spoke with me last night at dinner of his pain at the loss of personal friendships in Uganda, as part of the cost of our present struggles.) I haven't always appreciated his statements and decisions, but we are truly blessed to have him.

Each of our daily liturgies is done by a different province of the Communion. Tonight, TEC did Evening Prayer. The music, and the accompanying video images of congregations of our Church at work and worship had more than a few of us missing home. We are all pretty tired after such a challenging week, and all pretty amazed at the thought that there is so much more in front of us. Tomorrow will be a welcome sabbath day. I will be thinking of the congregations of Northern California when I go to worship at the cathedral tomorrow, and praying for you. Please remember Ann and me and all of us here.

God bless you,
+Barry