Lambeth, Finally

Getting connected to the Internet was easier in Europe than here at Lambeth (never thought I'd say that considering the bewildering--and scary--array of sockets that seem to declare a standoff to a power source.) But here I am still without my suitcase and wondering if the mom and pop operation called the front office over here really did lose it between the front gate of the Kent University campus and my dorm. Well, yes they did! Eight days and counting. The English have much to say to for themselves but planning and process isn't part of that description. I'll probably get more optimistic once they release my underwear from some hedgerow.

Seriously, the conference wisely began with a retreat held predominantly in Canterbury Cathedral. (You can't get casual when you are taking notes next to the Tomb of the Black Prince and wondering if THIS is where they snuffed out Thomas Becket.)

Archbishop Rowan Williams approaches his theology as if it all just makes sense. His style reminds me of Henry Nouwen. Over three days his talks challenged us to think of what role we bishops have in the Anglican Identity; he began by making reference to our creatureliness and beyond any who who had absented themselves from this time. His text was 2 Corinthians 11: 28, 29, Writes St. Paul, "I face daily my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?"

Said the Archbishop, "One can't distance oneself from the weakness and failure of others. If God's Son is to be revealed in us it will be when we--in love and freedom--let the grief and struggle come into us." The new humanity is to be in Christ and it is meant to be a vulnerable existence...if anyone loses, all lose. He continued, "the death of a child in Africa diminishes the human reality."

We had three full days of that kind of heady richness and so the stage was set for work in our Indaba Groups. More soon. +gep