2008 Lambeth Conference
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August, 2008 • Volume 133, Issue No. 8 Bishop Gray reflects on 2008 Lambeth Conference By Scott Lenoir According to Gray the Indaba process was The 18-day Lambeth Conference, a decen- key to whatever success Lambeth 2008 nial world-wide Anglican meeting, ended had in strengthening the Anglican August 3rd with a final Eucharist attended by Communion. The major written work of 670 bishops at Canterbury Cathedral. Lambeth 2008 will be the publication of Near the end of his final presidential Lambeth Indaba- Capturing Conversations address, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan and Reflections from the Lambeth Williams lamented the absence of many bish- Conference 2008. ops who chose not to attend the conference Rowan William’s leadership and promised “to invite those absent from Noting that the Archbishop of Lambeth to be involved in these next stages” of Canterbury has always been admired for efforts to maintain the Anglican Communion. his depth of spirit and intellect, but criti- Archbishop Williams noted that issues cized for his lack of political and leader- which were discussed at the Global Anglican ship skills, Gray said that Williams’ leader- Future Conference (GAFCON) attended by Bishops Duncan Gray III of Mississippi and Dorsey Henderson of ship at the conference was as a spiritual many conservative bishops in Jerusalem last Upper South Carolina brief the press on August 1st for the Daily guide and gentle shepherd coupled with a June was “consonant with much of what we Account at the 2008 Lambeth Conference. “an added dimension of ...clarity of vision United Thank have sought to say and do, and we need to and ...a desire to be the one who sets the look for the best ways of building bridges here.” agenda for the communion in the coming months and years.” Offering grant Bishop Gray III echoed the sentiment of the Archbishop regarding the In Williams’ final address Gray was encouraged by the clarity the absence of many bishops who were invited to attend. “The absence of a siz- Archbishop used in articulating his expectations of the various members of able number of African bishops, including three primates, was discouraging. the Communion. “I also saw a side of the Archbishop that I had not seen awarded to There is still a long road that must be traveled into a deeper communion,” before... his sense of humor and playfulness reduced the anxiety of the said Gray. Conference immeasurably, especially in the early days.” Another encouraging Trinity The decline of many bishops invited to attend was due in large part to revelation of the conference for Bishop Gray was the personal risk that many the election and consecration of the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson as Bishop of the bishops took by simply attending the conference. Pass Christian Diocese of New Hampshire in 2003. Robinson is gay and recently entered “Many [bishops] will face considerable pressure and will be ostracized into a civil union with his partner of 20 years. from their provinces when they return home. But they took these risks for Trinity Church, Pass Christian, has Those who attended the Lambeth Conference expressed a resolve to the sake of the Communion.” received a United Thank Offering grant preserve the Anglican Communion. “The most encouraging aspect was the Eye Opener for 2008. The $20,000 granted will help deep desire among all who attended to stay together. That was where we One of the most discouraging realities that Gray faced was how little build a community building for the Live began. As the weeks went on there developed a willingness to listen deeply communication from the Episcopal Church reached bishops in the Anglican Oak Cemetery, established 158 years into the contexts of where people were trying to be faithful to the gospel,” Communion since 2003. “I was astounded at how little information had ago to serve all people of Pass Christian. Gray said. reached most of the bishops... Very little was known about the various state- Trinity Church has administered the Indaba ments made by our General Convention and House of Bishops in response cemetery from the beginning. Communication between the bishops and primates was facilitated by to the requests from the wider Communion. Hurricane Katrina left Trinity Church Indaba groups, a Zulu term describing a purposeful discussion of equals. Gray said that the conversation was often open-ended with phrases like 2008 Lambeth Conference, and the cemetery committee with no Continued on page 15 office space or meeting space for other “Help me to understand...” as opposed to making points in formal debate. community groups who had met at Trinity. The new building will provide space to the church and to the commu- Pathways to Participation Conference Honors nity and will be a model of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for the entire “Champions for Change” At St. Andrew’s Cathedral coast. By Rev. Carol B. Stewart The three day conference was spon- UTO ingatherings are held twice a Four persons were honored at the sored by the Coalition for Citizens with year, usually in May and October. The Champions for Change reception held Disabilities, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, coins and prayers of thanksgiving com- July 24th at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Congregations for Children, Oxfam, bine to address compelling human need More than a hundred people gathered America and several other organizations and help spread God’s kingdom around from all over the state to honor these working in a non-partisan way for the world. For more information about persons who are seen as positive agents change. UTO, contact Jane Wacaster in Meridian: for hope, transformation and change. One of the four honorees, Stan (601)483-0375. The reception preceded the daylong Flint, of the Southern Strategy Group is a conference “Pathways to Participation” at member of St. Andrews Cathedral and Galloway United Methodist Church in works tirelessly for policy changes on Jackson on Friday, July 25th. This behalf of those who are powerless and event concluded with a bar- Mr. Stan Flint (center), member of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, received without a voice in the public process. beque held on the grounds the Champion for Change Award during the Pathways to Pathways to Participation, of the Episcopal Church of Participation conference held July 24, 2008 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal SALUS CRUCE Continued on page 14 the Redeemer, Biloxi on Cathedral. With Stan Flint is (L-R) the Rev. Carol Stewart and the salvation by Sunday, July 27th. the cross Rev. Annie Cumberland of St. Andrew’s Cathedral. OUR DIOCESE fireworks. Redeemer, Biloxi, also restarted its custom shelters, Native American reservations, Appalachia and of having a table decorating party in DeMiller Hall other locations, including Iowa and California where Notes & Quotes before watching the fireworks display from the former flooding and wildfires have put shoes in short supply. Faithful by Maria Watson church grounds on the beach, and the parish is St. Paul’s participated in Columbus’ newest ministry Departed It’s good to be back. already planning for its October Pumpkin Patch. St. by joining with a group of 15 churches and agencies The last time I wrote here, James, Jackson, celebrated Independence Day with a in the area to host a lunch for the steering committee by Catherine Johns my talk was of waiting, luncheon and concert July 3, inviting the J.O.Y. (Just for a soup kitchen to feed the hungry. St. John’s, something I continue to do, Older Youth) Group to feast on a summer menu of Ocean Springs, also has been active in aiding flood vic- Charles “Buddy” Geffs, 86, died but in a different place, in a sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, beef tenderloin, tims in the Midwest with its EYC holding fundraisers October 12, 2007. He was a com- different way. Last month, sliced seasoned potatoes, roasted vegetables, French during July. St. Peter’s by-the-Sea, Gulfport, with municant of Mediator-Redeemer, the column deadline collid- bread and a “patriotic” dessert. The event also recog- Gulfport’s First United Methodist Church and the McComb-Magnolia. ed with my temporary move nized “America’s Music” of all types: ballads, Downtown Kiwanis Club, co-sponsored a blood drive Betty Thames Moak, 75, commu- to a new apartment where Broadway, ‘40s jazz and a sing-along with patriotic July 16 at the new parish hall. St. James, Jackson’s jun- nicant of Mediator-Redeemer, we will wait in much better associations. ior and senior high youth participated in a mission McComb-Magnolia died February conditions (and good humor) as we build the house trip to Birmingham Soup Kitchens in late July-early 20, 2008. upon what is either sand or rock or both. While I have Ascension, Hattiesburg, has a recently completed August. The goal was to provide a nurturing and car- faith that it will happen, the move into that new home labyrinth that follows the stones and turf design of ing environment for others while empowering each Floyd “Nellie” Brent Steele, 78, has become somewhat mythical to me. At times, I’m Gray Center’s labyrinth. It was the passion of late participating individual with an understanding of the communicant of Mediator- almost superstitious about it. parishioners, Sid and Char Graves and donations importance of volunteer work. They made a day trip Redeemer, McComb-Magnolia died received in their memories funded its creation. St. to Atlanta to visit the CNN Center, Coca Cola Center April 11, 2008. But I’ve come to believe that the wait has not Mark’s, Gulfport, worshipped in its new church for and much more-just for some fun. Theodore “Ted” Stuart Cook, been without merit.