October 2008 In My View

Dear friends throughout our diocese, The September issue of The HighWay featured John’s reflections as written from Canterbury during the last few days of the Lambeth Conference. It was my great privilege to accompany John there, and thought perhaps you would like to hear an additional perspective.

First of all, thank you so much for making it possible for me to attend the Spouses Conference. I went on your behalf and represented Kootenay, a diocese I am growing to love. You need to know that many around the world are intrigued by our name, and when shown pictures of the country God has given us, cannot believe the beauty or the distances travelled by those ministering here.

Meeting Christians from all over the world provided such a rich sense of perspective — not only on the Anglican Communion itself, but also of the possibility that exists when we come together as people of faith to build relationships and listen to one another. The spouses were very good at this — perhaps even better than the bishops! Spouses named clearly that the effect of the unique nature of Episcopal ministry could be loneliness and isolation — as much for the spouse as for the bishop. For many in the communion, being a bishop’s spouse necessitates leaving their professional life and becoming “Mama Bishop”! It is the chance for spouses, male and female, to share their lives/faith/issues/vocations, and provided such incredible support and learning for us all. A few images to leave with you:

Worshipping daily with two thousand people and saying the Lord’s Prayer each in our own language…finding ourselves at the AMEN together…and realizing that worship is the one language we share…

Often being the only white, North American in a group of women speaking other languages and being included by laughter, tears, touch, gesture, visceral faith and a great love for the church that did not require words…

Women affirming how far our dollars go when given responsibly through NGO’s and the PWRDF to build sustainable projects as well as opportunities that empower women in leadership in their own contexts…

Trying to absorb the depth of poverty and violence in an individual sense — shocking images of victims arriving on the doorsteps of a bishop’s home needing sanctuary, food, blessing, money…

Being witnesses as the Melanesian Brothers and Sisters relived the martyrdom of seven of their own and then being present as Archbishop Rowan placed those names in the Chapel of the Martyrs of the Twentieth Century in Canterbury Cathedral… Breathing in the reality of gender inequity and violence when some women were unable to speak openly about their lives…even in the context of Bible Study… Marching through the streets of London proclaiming that the Millennium Development Goals are indeed Gospel Goals…

Tea at Buckingham Palace and wonderful fellowship with our Canadian bishop’s and spouses…

Blessings, gracious Christian hospitality, and holiness from Rowan and Jane Williams… The experience of the rich diversity of colour, gender, language, music, food, and spirituality some days completely overwhelmed me, so much so that my prayer became one of deep gratitude — that in spite of our differences, and perhaps because of them, our great God has called us together, that together we might become a glimpse of the kingdom so that the world might believe.