Newsletter_25th_July.pdf

Here we are, a week into the Lambeth Conference. The campus of the University of Kent is full of men, and a few women, flashing purple. By this stage, only a few still in full cassock - many more are in short sleeves and jeans with a purple lanyard to their security passes. The hawkeyed spot the ribbon colours at 100 paces; maybe they were planned with liturgical colours in mind. Purple for bishops, red for staff (are they the martyrs?), green for stewards (ordinary people) and white for exhibitors (us!). The hierarchy is alive and well.

There’s a steady flow throughout the day, from the Big Top eucharist to breakfast, from breakfast to bible study, from study to coffee to Indaba discussions to lunch; breaks punctuate work like the Offices in a monastery. And the bishops and their spouses (spice?) are in separate rooms in single beds. But there the similarities to a monastery end; there isn’t much silence and there isn’t much evidence of work!

But the work goes on, subtly and behind the scenes as well as openly and over drinks in the Origins Bar in Darwin College (boycotted by fundamentalists). The work is the hardest work of all; building trust and understanding across gulfs far greater than the Atlantic Ocean. Different cultures and radically different notions of faith rubbing up against each other, intimately and intensively, for the first time like this in 10 years (and with very sour memories of the last get-together). The sense at the beginning of the conference was palpable; this is make or break time for the Communion. One bishop I spoke to said he thought it was like walking on a precipice, and there was great tension on and off campus as bishops moved out of retreat and into the meat of the conference.

Here we are, a week in. And so far, so good. The conservatives must be realising that they made a huge tactical blunder by attempting to boycott the conference. A meeting of conservative bishops on Tuesday attracted around 150 people – not enough to build a momentum to undermine the structure of the conference so that regressive resolutions can be passed. The restatement by the Church of Sudan of its exclusive position on human sexuality passed virtually unnoticed, and GAFCON missed an important trick after it responded to the wrong Covenant.

The overwhelming desire amongst bishops is to move on from the stale discussions we’re engaged in to the things which really matter - to put the gospel as it’s received by Anglicans at the service of the challenges facing the world. Grinding poverty amongst the people so many of them serve. The real and present danger of destructive climate change. Breakdowns in international relations and continuing war and violence around the world. The divisive issues which confront us are by no means settled; the exclusionary flags around which conservatives have rallied and which have brought the inclusive networks to Canterbury in such numbers are still flying high. But, tentatively, and after the Walk of Witness yesterday in London and tea with the Queen, there’s the quietest possible hope that we may end the Conference stronger, more together, and with a deeper sense of what it means to be an Anglican Christian.

In other words, no news is good news. Inclusive Church is very present, alongside our partners - Changing Attitude, Integrity, WATCH, LGCM, the Modern Churchpeople’s Union, Affirming Catholicism, Courage and others. Our stall is being fantastically personned by wonderful volunteers. Thank you! We have a Communication Centre in St Stephen’s Church Hall - for which much thanks too - which is humming with intensity; rows of laptops (Americans on one side, British on the other and Africans somewhere in between) feed the hungry blogosphere and at 6.30 every evening Mark feeds the hungry liberals with chicken and lemongrass or chilli con carne. The Changing Attitude/Integrity Eucharist was attended by 34 bishops including the Bishop of New Hampshire. The Inclusive Church Network Eucharist tomorrow will, we hope, be another visible symbol of the way we’re working together; the daily newspaper, the Lambeth Witness, is (despite some opposition) offering a broad take on the day’s events. And Integrity’s Voices of Witness evening with voices from both Africa and the US was quite simply fabulous.

Perhaps most important of all , by Morning and Evening Prayer, by talks at 4.00pm and bible study at 11.00am we are as a Network which attracts more and more visitors each day being Church together in a way which demonstrates the visible and hidden kingdom of God among us. Whatever the outcomes of this Conference volunteers will go back strengthened by the visions we have shared here.

We need to hold on to this faith and hope because by next Sunday it could all have gone wrong, at least in a formal sense! There are those who would like it to. The 225 journalists who have registered must be frustrated. And if no resolutions are made, then technically nothing will change. But if we remember that the Lambeth Conference has only moral authority in the Anglican Communion’s structures - resolutions passed have no legal authority (although you wouldn’t always think that!) – then what could be more authoritative than people from all the provinces in the Anglican Communion (yes, including Nigeria) spending a fortnight together, praying, singing, worshipping, talking, reading and eating together, celebrating our engagement without denying our differences? Focusing, for once, on the challenges which unite us instead of the challenges which divide us? Prayers please!!

Giles Goddard, Chair, IC

INCLUSIVE EUCHARIST: If you can, please come to the Inclusive Eucharist on Saturday 26th July now at 7.00pm in the Keynes Auditorium, followed by a party. WE NEED NUMBERS AND VOICES! But please let us know your name, as we have to do a recount for security purposes. Similarly the Inclusive Imperative: Anglican Welcome Seminar on Thursday 31st at 6.30pm in the Darwin Suite. Please give names to Clare Herbert on 07504 577210. We are sending invitations to both these events to all the Bishops in the Anglican Communion!

We are extremely fortunate to have our Patron the Archbishop of Mexico presiding for us on 26th and the Revd Canon Lucy Winkett preaching for us on the theme “Strangers to Friends.”

Look out for the new book 'Together in Hope' being launched after the IC Eucharist on Saturday 26th  which includes work completed by members of the Inclusive Church Network – the partner groups all working together to provide an voice for inclusion at Lambeth.

Inclusive Roadshow: Over the coming year Inclusive Church will be carrying a Roadshow about our work to different parts of the country. If you would like us to come near you, and can provide invitations to a local network of people with a room for a small reception please let us know. We are starting on “home ground” at Southwark Cathedral in September but moving on to Gloucester in December. In addition to introducing ourselves we are willing to expand on a theme which our hosts particularly welcome so we start in Southwark with “Including Women”. You are very welcome to these events - RSVP to the IC office.

Wed 24th September Southwark Cathedral Library, 6.30pm – 9.00pm An Introduction to Inclusive Church, Giles Goddard and Clare Herbert, with guest speakers Rosemary Lain-Priestley and Christina Rees – developing the theme of the roles of women in Church and Society with the state of play re Women in the Episcopate in the C. of E.

Saturday 4th October St Mary’s Putney, 10.30 – 2.30pm – 5th Anniversary Celebration of the work of Inclusive Church 10.30am Festival Eucharist, 11.30 am Giles and Clare lead a plenary “Where are we as a Church and organisation post the Lambeth Conference – questions from the floor and directions for work “ (during this period there will be a special activity for children as we hope families may be able to come to this anniversary service and picnic) 1.00pm – picnic lunch, please bring something savoury or sweet to share for lunch and a paper plate/bowl to put it on! Drinks will be provided.

Thursday 4th December – Inclusive Church Seminar and Supper at Gloucester Cathedral – an evening introducing ourselves and our work emphasising the Broad and Inclusive Tradition of Anglicanism

For your diaries: Saturday February 7th – Day Conference with Workshops –– “The Challenge of Inclusive Language – its Breadth and its Importance” London venue, times t.b.a.

There's been a brilliant response to our request for prayers for each day of the Lambeth Conference. The prayers are based on the themes of the programme the bishops will be following. Our hope is that you will find them helpful as you pray for those who will be attending as well as those who will be absent. Contributors to the prayers reflect the breadth of Inclusive Church's membership and include Jenny Thomas of the Association of Black Clergy, London WATCH, Mary Robins, Paul Oestreicher, Rosie Miles, Wendy Prezzey, Trevor Donnelly as well as others. Also included is a prayer from Sebastien Bakare, bishop of Harare in Zimbabwe. Please feel free to use these prayers in your own reflection or in public worship. They’re also at http://www.inclusivechurch2.net/?id=7149

25 JULY: DISCERNING OUR SHARED CALLING: THE BISHOP, OTHER CHURCHES AND GOD'S MISSION:

Eternal GodYou created all that is good and holy, be close to those gathered for the Lambeth Conference, enable them to reach out lovingly to everyone, help them to show awareness and understanding, comfort and consolation, justice and equality, so that we participate fully in the abundance of your life. May we always witness to the ministry of Christ who welcomed all regardless of age, gender or ethnic background. Every person is created by God, each one of us is loved by God and nobody should be diminished by the words and actions of another. Amen.

26 JULY: SAFEGUARDING CREATION: THE BISHOP AND THE ENVIRONMENT: O loving God, we bow before you in penitence for our misuse of your creation. We ask that you look in mercy on us as we endeavour to live in accordance with your Holy Will. May your Holy Spirit guide, strengthen, empower and sustain us to use aright the

resources you have given us so that your world will be an acceptable portrayal of your Kingdom. Dear God, help us to see in each other the image of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ and to show forth your love that unites us all as one. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

All-loving God, we thank you for rich diversity of life with which you have blessed your creation. Forgive us when we are ungrateful, uncaring or wasteful. Inspire us to defend these blessings from all that threatens them. May our bishops voices be heard as they remind us that the world belongs to you, and we are but stewards for a season.

27 JULY: CANTERBURY DAY: Eternal God, in you justice and mercy have embraced for Love has no boundaries, except the ones we make. Help us to follow in the steps of the one who shows the Way to Life. Amen.

28 JULY: ENGAGING WITH A MULTI FAITH WORLD: THE BISHOP, OTHER RELIGIONS AND CHRISTIAN WITNESS: Father and Mother of us all in this broken world may we pray not for Moslem, Christian or Jew, Palestinian or Israeli, rich or poor, young or old, gay or straight, torturer or victim, saint or sinner, but for ourselves that we may not divide them but hold them together in our hearts as your children for whom Jesus died and in whom he lives.

29 JULY: EQUAL IN GOD'S SIGHT: WHEN POWER IS ABUSED. (THIS DAY WILL BE HELD JOINTLY WITH THE SPOUSES' CONFERENCE.) Great God of all, who has created us all alike in your image and called us equally to your service: we ask that all who seek to serve you in the ministry of your church may be free to do so to the fullest extent of their calling. We pray for those who struggle to bring light and freedom into your church by prising open closed doors and shuttered minds, dismantling barriers and overturning old prejudices. Give them strength to continue their work with courage, tenacity and an unquenchable sense of purpose and justice. We pray for those who have been wounded on the way, asking you to restore their hope and dignity and continue to lead them in your service. Especially we pray for those who restrict the freedom of others through their own ignorance, fear, greed or arrogant certainty. Soften their hearts and widen their understanding, so that they may see that allowing others to play a full part in building your kingdom does not threaten or diminish their own contribution.

Hear our prayers, O God, which we make with all the women who have witnessed and worked for you through the ages, and in whose glorious tradition we stand, through your son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

All-loving God we thank you that all people are equal in your sight. In you our divisions become small, divisions of wealth, gender, sexuality, age, race, and ability. God look with mercy on those who dare deny the equality of your children, and lead them to see all people as our sisters and brothers. May our bishops use their authority with courage and gentleness, and may all your church use its influence wisely and for the flourishing of your Gospel.

30 JULY: LIVING UNDER SCRIPTURE: THE BISHOP AND THE BIBLE IN MISSION: All-loving God, we give you thanks for your Holy Word. Give us open hearts and minds as we read Scripture, give us willingness to be changed by our reading, and make us hungry for new truths. Help us to be generous with those who interpret the Bible differently, and save us from cold certainty.

31 JULY: LISTENING TO GOD AND EACH OTHER: THE BISHOP AND HUMAN SEXUALITY: All-loving God, your Son challenged us, asking if we cannot love our brothers and sisters who we can see how can we love our God whom we cannot? Forgive us when we lack love. Do not let our hunger and thirst for justice drive out love. Even when we are hated, may we love in return. Make us more like Jesus every day.

ENDING: Heart of our own hearts, in these days we have been invited over the threshold of our fears and into the warmth of your love, we have been embraced by justice and mercy, as we travel may we remain forever in your love and follow in the steps of the one who shows us the Way to Life. Amen.

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