Messages from Bishop Michael

Dear Friends:
I have just arrived home this evening and while I am mentally and physically exhausted, I feel I must express to you a few preliminary thoughts about the final stages of the Lambeth Conference.

The last several days of the conference focused more intensely on the report from the Windsor Continuation Committee, the Covenant Design Group and the issues of same sex blessings and cross border interventions.

The process for these discussions was the same as it had been for the conversations earlier, beginning with bible study each morning. Indaba sessions were then held bringing six bible study groups together to discuss specific questions relating to the topic that day. There were also separate hearings and reflection sessions scheduled on specific days and in every one of these forums our Canadian bishops were present and active, both in terms of participation and in offering our perspectives. I personally spoke at one of the hearings and throughout the indaba meetings, expressing the challenges that we face in Niagara, relating to these issues and the deep concerns many have identified regarding the Anglican Covenant and any commitment to a moratorium. Many of our bishops joined with bishops from the United States and other parts of the Communion to express a desire to exercise extreme caution in terms of any action in the direction of the proposed Covenant and Pastoral Forum. Our Primate called for an opportunity for the conference to hear more directly from the Canadian Church but in the end that didn't happen.

A “listener” was appointed for each indaba group who was responsible for gathering all of the material produced from the discussions each day (news print, written reports and individual submissions). This work was then somehow distilled and passed on to those charged with producing a final report that would echo these conversations and reflections under the headings of the discussion topics. On the day that the Covenant was deliberated on, I submitted the report of our Niagara Covenant Committee that met to follow up on our clergy day discussions.

As the Conference moved along, draft copies of the reflection document were presented, reviewed and commented on quite thoroughly as new material was being added, in about three day blocks. The draft sections pertaining to the Covenant, the Pastoral Forum and the moratoria however, were presented on Saturday August 2nd with only an hour left in the time allotted for the hearing (due to a photocopier problem) and the completed report in its final form was given to us the next day, the last day of the conference.

I have tried to explain the process in detail because I want you to appreciate some of the difficulties and frustrations of trying to ensure that any one voice is heard and so that you will also understand how the document, entitled “Lambeth Indaba Reflections,” was produced. It is an attempt (and in my opinion an inadequate attempt) to capture the conservations of over 600 bishops, speaking many different languages, in a variety of small groups and larger forums.

Having said this, it important to report to you that it was clear, as I mentioned in an earlier note, that the Covenant process had a great deal of support, building upon the encouragement that was given in the opening presidential address by the Archbishop of Canterbury. I have heard first hand, the deeply held convictions and the hurt and pain that surround the challenges we all face at this moment in time. I have also had many in-depth conversations with bishops from around the world and in those encounters I endeavored to present, as accurately as possible, the life and ministry of the Diocese of Niagara.

There is no doubt that despite some fundamental disagreements there was a widespread desire to keep the Communion together but it remains to be seen what the demands of such unity will be and how we can respond to them in Niagara. It will take many days and weeks to even begin to unpack the range of emotions I have experienced, the stories I have been privileged to hear, the relationships I have developed and the friendships I have made. Certainly the highlights for me were the opening retreat in Canterbury Cathedral, the walk supporting the Millennium Development Goals and the holy ground that I found each day in my bible study group with six other bishops from around the world. For now I give thanks for my first night away from university residence life and a residence bed! There is so much more to think about and share with all of you in the weeks ahead.

Wishing you every blessing in this summer season, +Bishop Michael

July 24 2008

It is hard to put into words the profound experience I have had over the past few days in course of the Bishop’s retreat led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, that culminated in a magnificent service in the Cathedral last Sunday morning. I had the privilege of walking in procession with one of the female bishops of the Communion, the new Suffragan Bishop of Toronto, Linda Nicholls. We began in the crypt and then made our way outside to the front doors and past hoards of media and news cameras. The procession made its way into the nave, greeted by a capacity congregation; up the steps below the Bell Harry Tower and into the Quire where we were sitting. The Archbishop of Canterbury sat behind the high altar on St. Augustine’s ancient chair as we shared in a service rich in ceremonial and music. The liturgy had a great diversity of prayers and hymns from around the world and the gospel procession was led by a dance troop of Melanesian Brothers and Sisters in traditional costumes. For much of the service I found myself in a state of disbelief that I was actually a part of it all! The sermon was quite wonderful and the preacher, Bishop Duleep de Chickera, the Bishop of Colombo, Sri Lanka, challenged us to reflect seriously upon what it means to be “in communion” with one another and to be gracious and inclusive in our determination of who we are in communion with.

We are now well into the main program that begins each day with prayers and a Eucharist lead by a different Province of the Communion. Yesterday it was our partners from the Diocese of Cuba and as expected they inspired us with their passion for proclaiming the gospel, and their vibrancy in leading worship was a joy and a gift to us all. Bible study is the next item on the agenda each day, with eight Bishops in each group (the same is true for the spouses) and then five of the bible study groups gather and move into the Indaba sessions. These gatherings allow the Bishops to discuss the more serious issues facing the Communion. In the afternoon we are free to attend the hearings that are being conducted by the Windsor Continuation committee and the Covenant working group and then on to self-select presentations and workshop. I have already been present for one of the hearings and a presentation on “Fresh Expressions of Church” and another on Evangelism. I have some preparation to do each night as the bible study leader for my group, along with attending some of the “fringe events” and so by bed time each night I am ready to “crash.”

Today we had the incredible experience of walking through the streets of London in support of the Millennium Development Goals. Later at Lambeth Palace, where we had our lunch, Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke to us and called our Millennium March the greatest demonstration by people of faith that the City of London has ever witnessed. Our day concluded with a visit to Buckingham Palace in the presence of The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Once again a day I will never forget.

There has been a great deal written about the breaking up of the Anglican Communion in the midst of this Lambeth Conference and there is no doubt that the U.S. Episcopal Church and our own Canadian Church has been singled out for some criticism. A fair bit of attention has centred on the Covenant proposal and we may need to face the fact that many here, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, favour a move in that direction.

There definitely have been some tense and difficult moments that both Susan and I have been party to at one time or another here at Lambeth and yet there are far more amazing encounters of blessing and grace. I was so proud of Susan who spoke to a gathering of the 500 spouses in attendance, as she was asked to be on a panel with four other Bishops’ spouses and moderated by the Archbishop of York’s wife, that dealt with questions and concerns about “living with a Bishop.” I have made many new connections with Bishops from around the world and I believe that this is perhaps the most important work of all.

I continue to remember you all in my prayers and please pray for us here at the Lambeth Conference as we conclude this first week. Blessings to you all,

+Bishop Michael.

July 19 2008

Dear Friends:

Susan and I are now well settled into the University of Kent and the Lambeth Conference. I have finished two days of retreat at Canterbury Cathedral where the Dean turned the entire Cathedral and grounds over to the Bishops for what has been a deeply moving and spiritually uplifting experience, highlighted by four of six addresses to the Bishops given by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

I continue to be profoundly grateful for this wonderful opportunity and I can tell that to this point I have been very warmly greeted and engaged by so many of my colleague Bishops from around the world and I have taken every opportunity possible to begin making those connections. I was particularly blessed to be included in a small group of Bishops who were formally greeted by Rowan Williams at the Cathedral just as the conference started, with the British media present.

Today in the midst of my prayers in the crypt of Canterbury Cathedral I remembered every parish in our Diocese by name and you will continue to be in my prayers as the conference continues. Wishing you every blessing,
+Bishop Michael

Pre-Lambeth Message:

I write this short note to you on the day prior to our departure for England. Susan and I will begin our trip with a few days of preparation for the Lambeth Conference in the Diocese of St. Albans, just a short distance north of London. On July 16th we arrive in Canterbury and the University of Kent for this three week event that will prove to be an intense but exciting and memorable time for us both. Here is the Archbishop of Canterbury’s welcome to the participants that sets the tone for what is to take place:

“Welcome to Canterbury for the 2008 Lambeth Conference. It is a real blessing to greet you as we begin our work together, and I pray that these days spent in reflection, prayer, discussion and fellowship will bear fruit in the life of the entire Communion in which God has called us to minister.
The chief aims of our time together are, first, that we become more confident in our Anglican identity, by deepening our awareness of how we are responsible to and for each other; and second, that we grow in energy and enthusiasms for our task of leading the work of mission in our Church.”

I am confident that this will indeed be the case and I look forward to returning to our Diocese with many stories and a renewed sense of inspiration and enthusiasm for the work of mission that God has called us to share in together. I will try to keep in touch with you through the website as the conference moves along and I want to share with you a video presentation that will be shown to Lambeth delegates that we hope will give the participants a sense of life in the Diocese of Niagara. 
Please remember Susan and me, and all those involved in the Lambeth Conference in your prayers and may you enjoy all the blessings of this summer season.
Yours in Christ,

+Michael

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