London Day. That’s what it was called, “London Day.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

It was London Day, in all that one might imagine.

We woke early to get a quick breakfast, and then got in a queue (a line). This is nothing unusual about getting in a queue. In fact, I think there are queues to prepare to get into another queue. It seems to be a way of life. This queue was to get on the coaches that would be taking us on the two hour trip to London.

The ride in was uneventful, filled with sleeping bishops and spouses, and those talking about various aspects of life. When we arrived in London, it was just as one might imagine it: the Parliament Buildings, Westminster Abbey, ‘Big Ben’ and all the rest. We actually arrived early, and so I thought we might have a few minutes to wander around. Wrong! It was off the bus…and into another queue. We walked to Whitehall Place and waited. As more and more bishops gathered -- Nigerians, Sudanese, American, and all the rest -- we noticed that security was quite visibly present. Soon a helicopter was hovering overhead, just to make sure that nothing happened. Around 10:00 people came around to pass out placards and special “Social Justice Bibles.” Many of us took one or both and prepared to carry them along the route.

We began our Walk of Witness. The march took us past Downing Street, ‘Big Ben,’ the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. We ended the walk at Lambeth Palace – the London home of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Archbishop describes the walk in the following manner:

“This walk will be a poignant public act of commitment by the Anglican Communion and other faith groups to continue to put pressure on those who have the power and resources to help end extreme poverty across the globe. It will be about pledging, as a Church, to play our part in continuing to develop lasting solutions. It will also be a walk where we will be in step with those who know at first hand the impact that the unfair distribution of the world’s resources can have on daily living and life opportunities.”

Along the march route there were people taking our pictures – both press and those driving by on the double decker buses, as well as tourists and others. Some called out and asked what our placards meant – “Keep the promise” or “Halve Poverty by 2015.” We were calling on the government and all those with power to work toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, and in particular the alleviation of extreme poverty.

Upon our arrival at Lambeth Palace, we were met by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, who spoke passionately about the need to change the world. Not only did he point out that universal education would not be achieved until 2150 (if we don’t do something quickly NOW), but he spoke out loudly that ‘we can eradicate poverty, we must eradicate poverty, and given the energies and witness of this Church and others, we WILL eradicate poverty!” The crowd roared with approval. I have to admit – I have NEVER heard such a passionate politician, willing to speak so clearly and loudly about a social problem, with a passion that showed that he truly cared about what we were doing. We then went to lunch together in a large tent behind Lambeth Palace and met more of the bishops whom we had not met before. Bishop Ken Price and Marianne joined us at the same table, and we talked some about West Virginia, sharing our stories with those around our table.

It was then back into another queue to get on the buses. Once loaded, we took the short trip to Buckingham Palace.

Off the bus and into another queue. While waiting, I couldn’t help but notice that the sight before me was very familiar. The guards were standing at their posts where the ‘changing of the guard’ takes place. We passed through security and had to show our passports and our invitations. We were let through to the front yard, past those immobile guards and walked through the ‘tunnel.’ We entered the square and continued to walk across the pea gravel courtyard to the official entrance to the Palace. Going up some steps into the palace, we had to hand in our invitation. Once inside, we saw numerous marble statues, glorious paintings, and beautiful china in corner cabinets. Marsha wanted to see them, but felt that stepping off the carpet might not be a good idea.

Walking through the room and out to the back yard, we stood at the steps and looked out at the expansive “garden.” It was magnificent! On the left was a long series of tents. Inside was tea, iced coffee, finger sandwiches and desserts (chocolate, lots of chocolate!). On the right was a small tent with a band. Off in the distance was another tent with another band. One band would play, and then the next would play – alternating all afternoon.

We walked down the steps and around the yard, visiting the pond, seeing the tennis court, and then making a complete circuit back to where we began. At that moment, people began to line up (another queue?). The Beefeaters stood in line, keeping us in place. The best I could describe it would be to say it was alike a ‘tunnel’ through which the football team would run to get onto the field.

At just past 4 pm (16:00), the doors opened, and out stepped the Queen and Prince Philip. They stood at the top of the steps, where we had stood just twenty minutes before, and waited. The bands played “God save the Queen,” and they walked down the steps. The Archbishop of Canterbury greeted them, and introduced them to the Archbishop of York. From there, the Queen and Prince walked through the crowd, stopping to greet individuals and groups who had been randomly selected. They spent the next 45 minutes or so walking through the crowd, then retired to the Royal Tent for a respite. Marsha and I watched, and then went to the tent for some water, tea and some chocolate.

At slightly past 5 pm (17:00), the Beefeaters came back out and began to stake out spots around the yard. We knew something was about to happen, and so stepped up to the place. The Queen and Prince were preparing to leave the party, and everyone stood and waited. As they walked back toward the Palace buildings we applauded. They smiled graciously, and then ascended the steps. They paused and turned around. We all clapped some more as they waved good-bye. We waved back, and they walked into their home. Back into a queue; as we left the palace, Marsha did step off the carpet, and got a closer look at some of the china in the cabinets. We then retraced our steps to the coaches.

The ride back took slightly longer than the ride in, but it gave us time to consider all that we had done that day. The bus driver had the radio on, and we could hear the report about the Anglican Bishops, together with the Prime Minister and others, calling for an end to World Poverty. A great witness, indeed.

In Christ,

The Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer

Bishop Mike and Marsha ready for Buckingham Palace