Countdown to Lambeth

Being in Africa prior to the Lambeth Conference is alot different than being in Delaware, USA.

The Episcopal Church in Sudan is trying to navigate their way to Lambeth surrounded by Anglican's in neighboring countries that are not attending Lambeth. These Anglicans come from Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria and Rhowanda. And they are very specific in the reaaon why...the issue of homosexuality and the consecration of a openly gay bishop in a committed relationship, Bishop Gene Robinson.

As I sit in the pew each Sunday leading up to the departure of Archbishp Daniel Deng and the other bishop's, I am the lone representative of The Episcopal Church, USA in the congregation. And each Sunday, I am glad there is an Episcopal Church of the Sudan.

Each Sunday, at least at the English speaking 6 PM service, there is the call to continue holding the Lambeth Conference in prayer. To remember those that are planning this extraorindary event, those that will be traveling towards it, and those that are not. In addition, there has not been one sermon on this issue the months that I have been in Sudan.

Sudan, a country plagued by civil wars, is trying to find ways to rebuild Southern Sudan, work with the government of Northern Sudan (based in Khartoum), resettle refugees and those returning from living abroad. Sudan is trying to work through the many political conflicts by listening and acknowledging the humanity of every Sudanese person, attempting to reconcile one person to another.

And, they are doing it through its churches.

The churches are teaching that tribal allegiances must be way down on the list of the work that God wants them to do. Put aside horrific past hurts, and work towards bettering the lives of all Sudanese people.

Listen to each others stories, acknowledge your differences, but then pick up hammers, plows, school books, stethescopes and work towards a better future for all.

So the Episcopal Church of the Sudan has sent two priests as representatives to the Global Anglican Future Conference, that began in Amman Jordan and continues in Jerusalem.

We have been told that their purpose is to listen to the "others" stories, to call for restraint, and to remember the important work the God wants us all to be about.

AT the last Executive Council meeting of the Episcopal church, a Lambeth resolution,Resolution NAC033, was passed that says Executive Council members "rejoice in the fact that Lambeth 2008 is designed to equip the bishops for leadership in God’s mission and strengthening the Anglican Communion through discussion and conversation grounded in the reading and study of Holy Scripture, invoking the presence of the Holy Spirit in all that they undertake, and respecting the Biblical admonition that we are all one in Christ Jesus (neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, slave nor free)."


So, as we countdown to the July 16-August3 Lambeth conference remember that it "represents one important way of building connections and relationships between churches in vastly different contexts, and reminding us of the varied nature of the Body of Christ." So said Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori in a June 4 letter addressed to the people of the Episcopal Church. "I would bid your prayers for openness of spirit, vulnerability of heart, and eagerness of mind, that we might all learn to see the Spirit at work in the other. I bid your prayers for a peaceful spirit, a lessening of tension, and a real willingness to work together for the good of God’s whole creation."