The Lambeth Conference

What was going on at the Lambeth Conference? The ten videos on this page were shown at the outset of each day of the 2008 Lambeth Conference of the Anglican Communion. The conference was attended by nearly 700 Anglican bishops from around the world, and these videos introduced participants to the day's theme.

THE COMMUNION

Anglican Communion's Lambeth Daily

Episcopal News Service

Anglican Feedbag - allsorts!

SOME OF THE BISHOPS IN THEIR OWN WORDS ...

Presiding Bishop (ECUSA) Katharine Jefferts Schori - 03 August 2008

Many bishops came to this gathering in fear and trembling, expecting either a distasteful encounter between those of vastly different opinions, or the cold shoulder from those who disagree. The overwhelming reality has been just the opposite. We have prayed, cried, learned, and laughed together, and discovered something deeper about the body of Christ. We know more of the deeply faithful ministry of those in vastly differing contexts, and we have heard repeatedly of the life and death matters confronting vast swaths of the Communion: hunger, disease, lack of education and employment, climate change, war and violence. We have remembered that together we may be the largest network on the planet – able to respond to those life and death issues if we tend to the links, connections, and bonds between us. We have not resolved the differences among us, but have seen the deep need to maintain relationships, even in the face of significant disagreement and discomfort. The Anglican Communion is suffering the birth pangs of something new, which none of us can yet fully appreciate or understand, yet we know that the Spirit continues to work in our midst. At the same time patience is being urged from many quarters, that all may more fully know the leading of the Spirit. God is faithful. May we be faithful as well.

Bishop Nick Baines - 03 August 2008

... And this returns me to what I intended to say tonight before getting to bed, and that is that joy and laughter have characterised much of the Lambeth Conference.

Bishop Nedi Rivera - 03 August 2008

My main plan was to make new friends. I did, and they included people very different from me. The others were incredible too.

Bishop Alan Wilson - 03 August 2008

... One comment haunts me. A wise Jamaican suffragan said “What we gotta fix is our attitudes.” The highlight of the sparsely attended and very tedious sexuality hearing was a Tanzanian brother who pointed out that Homosexuality is in no way a gospel issue, but one of “ethics and leadership.” The anger that stewed and bubbled around this is to do with our own cultures and contexts, our fears and anxieties, not the topic. This conference has demonstrated how much greater our community in Christ is than those who would tear us apart.

Click here for Video Reports Portal from ECUSA

The Lambeth Conference is well and truly underway and the Episcopal News Service (ENS) and other agencies are hosting commentary from the bishops and others in various multi-media formats ...

Click the 'portal' link above to see ENS index of videos including ... (click on names below)

Bishop Sebastian Bakare of Zimbabwe (video) - 22 July 2008

The Archbishop of Canterbury addresses the media - (video) - 21 July 2008

The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the USA - (video) - 21 July 2008

Bishops Neil Alexander, Don Johnson, Cate Waynick - (video) - 21 July 2008

Bishop Nigel Stock - 24 July 2008

It is a remarkable experience to see at first hand the international nature of the Anglican Communion. Full plenary sessions have to provide headsets for translation. The English speakers have been firmly reminded that they too have to have headsets, and already a variety of other languages have been used in both worship and the business sessions. Often participants are invited to pray the Lord's Prayer aloud in their own language, and it is moving to hear the offering that results - and which ends more or less at the same time! read more

Bishop Sean Rowe - The First Ordinary Day - 21 July 2008

Today was the first of ten ‘ordinary days ‘ of the 2008 Lambeth Conference. The ordinary days are marked by a morning bible study of an hour and a half, at least two hours of the indaba groups, self-select sessions, and an evening plenary session on some days or ‘fringe events’ on others. Needless to say, the days are completely full.

The bishops experienced the Indaba groups today for the first time. Indaba is a Zulu word for a gathering for purposeful discussions. The groups here consist of forty bishops gathered to engage one another on matters facing our mission and the various challenges of the Anglican Communion. The idea is not to immediately resolve the issues placed on the table, but rather to ensure that everyone at the table has a voice and that the issues at hand are fully defined and understood by the group. read more

The Archbishop of Canterbury's Presidential Address - (transcript) - 20 July 2008

With stirring words the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, opened the first full plenary session of the Lambeth Conference at the University of Kent, receiving an enthusiastic reception from bishops from around the world.

In his Presidential Address to Lambeth Conference Dr Williams called for reflection and a focus on strengthening the Communion. read transcript

Bishop Alan Wilson - Thought for the Day (audio) - 20 July 2008

speaking of "tremendous signs of hope" in a world that God wants to transform "if only we will quit the silly stuff and let him get on with it, in us and through us."

Bishop Neff Powell - 20 July 2008

This morning was the opening eucharist at Canterbury Cathedral. The weather was cool and clear and breezy. I have been in and about Canterbury Cathedral three times now, including the 1998 Lambeth Conference. Yet, the cathedral continues to profoundly move me emotionally and spiritually. read more ...

Bishop Duleep de Chickera of Colombo - Sermon at the Opening Eucharist - 20 July 2008

We gather in this impressive, awesome, magnificent cathedral this morning as representatives of several nations, several cultures, several tongues. And certainly as representatives of several Christian denominations, and other living faiths.

This is a joyful and a sacred moment, and I would like to suggest that we keep a pause in our worship to express our gratitude and our thanks to God for all those responsible for shaping our Anglican identity, for nourishing our spirituality, and for helping in the formation of our common life through the centuries and in so many parts of the world. read / see more - transcript and video

Bishop George Councell - a spiritual feast - 19 July 2008

There is something awesome about being in that cathedral space with 650 bishops, with the Archbishop of Canterbury teaching us, directing us through his meditation. They were wonderfully insightful, spiritually very deep and profound. He began his third address on the role of the bishop as both friend and stranger. A bishop is at home among the people and yet stands apart. A bishop speaks the language of the people, but speaks the word of God.

After each of his meditations there was time to visit the various chapels of the cathedral, or to walk around the precincts. It was an immense privilege to have that space for the benefit of the bishops alone for these two days.

The fourth address began by quoting an early Christian theologian who said, a single Christian is no Christian. Our need as bishops is to be in council with other bishops. We're called to live in community and to live in communion.

The very challenging suggestion the archbishop made was to identify one other bishop about whom one feels nervous, and ask that person to pray with you. It was a very powerful challenge to us to work to restore wounded communion.

He also said the Gospel is only truthfully spread by those who are in communion.

This has been a spiritual feast and I think the right and proper grounding for the weeks ahead.

Bishop Alan Wilson - with a list of Episcopal Bloggers - 19 July 2008

[Of 'Indaba' ] - It’s a way of ensuring that everyone has a voice, bullies are reined in and the giftedness of God in each is honoured.

Bishop David Chillingworth - Thinking Aloud - 18 July 2008

The Lord’s Prayer said by each in their own language is unbearably moving.

Bishop Sean Rowe - The Language of Silence - 18 July 2008

The bishops gathered again in Canterbury Cathedral to pray and reflect and listen to the powerful words of the Archbishop of Canterbury. At one point during his reflection, he invited the bishops seated in the nave of the cathedral to silence. As difficult as this may be to comprehend, more than 600 bishops were completely silent. I could have heard a pin drop in the cathedral. For several minutes we sat in silence, and I learned something more about the language of silence. When it ended, I had the overwhelming feeling that much had been accomplished during that time. It may be that more was accomplished for me in that time than in days of talking. I think silence is a language in which, at least this bishop, could stand to become more fluent.

Bishop Gene Robinson - Tales from the Fringe - 17 July 2008

This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.

Lambeth Journal - Blogging Bishops

REFLECTIONS ON THE THREE DAY RETREAT

Lambeth Bishops reflect on their three day retreat (video)

BLOGGERS

Inclusive Church

Lambeth Blog

Religious Intelligence

Thinking Anglicans

Three Minute Theologian

New Hampshire introduce Bishop Robinson (video)

UK PRESS

The Guardian - Riazat Butt