I have tried to start this note several times, but the words wouldn’t come. My mind is too full of the sights and sounds, the worship and the prayer of Lambeth. I want to reflect with you on the experience of the Lambeth Conference, and the return to the Diocese. I have learned a great deal about the church, about the Anglican Communion and about our place in it. I give thanks for the people of Brandon and for their faithfulness and I rejoice with you that we had such a magnificent presence at the conference through the wonderful work of Nadia Sinclair as a Steward and through the exquisite work of Ida Head and the beaded crosses which were given as gifts to those focused on reconciliation and racial equality.
Much ink has been spilled over the politics of the pre-Lambeth period, and the decisions around the “Lambeth Calls”. Each call is a statement of commitment of the dioceses of the Anglican Communion to work toward the intended goals set out in each of the calls. The calls covered: Mission and Evangelism, Safe Church, Anglican Identity, Reconciliation, Human Dignity, Environment and Sustainable Development, Christian Unity, Inter-Faith Relations, Discipleship and finally, Science and Faith. The final texts of these calls which were worked on this summer will be made public as this year unfolds.
In the controversies that developed in the days up to Lambeth I had to observe that the press did not seem to be attending the same conference I was. What I heard on my phone and through texts and tweets and messages did not match with the conversations and goodwill I had experienced around me.
What I experienced was very much an breaking through of the Holy Spirit into a group that was seeking to find a way together to give witness to Jesus Christ in all the varied contexts we faced. It looked to me like to those who were looking to find a path forward, the Lord supplied one through the wise intervention and teaching of the Archbishop of Canterbury. I have come away from Lambeth with a sense of gratitude for our church and its mission and through the whole world.
There are parts of the communion that look nothing like us. There are parts of the communion that look similar, and there are parts of the communion with whom we share the day to day struggles of our work in the kingdom. But one thing was made very plain to me, and that was that we are all seeking of the will of God to serve in our culture, our community and in spite of the history which we carry with us every day.
We face many challenges in the Diocese of Brandon. But we are blessed beyond measure that we have the faithful laity and clergy working together for the good of the kingdom right where we are. We have many challenges to face, not least of which is the development of clergy resources and getting people whom God has called to step forward in faith and serve. I am confident that the Lambeth Calls, when they are published will help us in a way forward on Mission and Evangelism, Safe Church, Anglican Identity, Reconciliation, Human Dignity, Environment and Sustainable Development, Christian Unity, Inter-Faith Relations, Discipleship and, Science and Faith.
I thank you all for the privilege of serving as your bishop and representing you at Lambeth and I was proud to tell the story of the Diocese of Brandon and our desire to walk the reconciling path together in Christ Jesus.
