Information about the Lambeth Conference from the Diocese of Fond du Lac and its Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Russell E. Jacobus
Friday, September 05, 2008

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Bishop Jacobus' Lambeth Log

Posting #12

Sunday, August 3, 2008 - We just returned from the Closing Eucharist (6:00pm) which was held at Canterbury Cathedral.  The Archbishop of Canterbury preached a wonderful sermon.  The Eucharist was followed by a stand-up dinner which was supposed to be in the precincts, but because of rain was held in two of the halls.  We had to eat on our laps in our cassocks; not the easiest thing to do in a room of about 350 people.

However, let me return to yesterday and the earlier part of Sunday.  In addition to the regular Bible Study groups each morning (including Sunday), we had three Indaba Group gatherings on those two days.  The main topics for the two days were discussion of the possibility of an Anglican Covenant, and the Report which would be coming from the Lambeth Conference.

There was a lot of discussion about the value of a Covenant.  Earlier in the Conference Rabbi Jonathan Sacks had spoken to us on “Covenant – a relationship between God and God’s people”.  It was excellent and gave insights about Covenant, as compared to contract, from a Biblical perspective.  This was picked up on, and that concept of a Covenant seemed to make sense.  However, the St. Andrew’s draft contained an appendix which was very legalistic, and many felt this piece turned a covenant into a contract.

The Covenant Drafting Team will work on a new draft with this input from the Bishops at the Lambeth Conference.  It will include the moratoria, which our General Convention has agreed to follow at its last meeting (Resolution B033).  It will provide wide space for all to come together to listen to one another and discuss the hard issues in a manner of sacrificial generosity.  It will also recommend the establishment of a Pastoral Forum to which concerns of the Communion could be brought (it was suggested this could be like the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission).  This Pastoral Forum will actually be a part of the continuing Windsor Process.

Much of this is describer briefly in the Report that is coming from the Conference.  But let me first comment on the Report.  This is a 44 page document which records thoughts and ideas shared in the Indaba groups by the participants.  It is simply a recording of what we did.  It does not include decisions or proclamations – we did none of that.  It’s simply a window into the discussions that were held between the bishops on a number of topics over the past two and a half weeks.  Please see it as that.  Read the preface carefully before reading the document.

Saturday evening there was a plenary to honor and talk with some of the stewards.  During the Conference there have been over 50 young adults who helped us unload and carry our luggage, find our rooms for Bible study and Indaba, herd us onto buses, direct us through traffic on our “Walk of Witness”, help us not get lost on campus, and literally meet most any need that arose.  Faye helped Jerrie and me with bags when we arrived, and said hello to us many days.  One day when I went to Evening Prayer alone, Faye came up and asked if Jerrie was alright.  The stewards were from all around the world, some being in seminary and some thinking about going.

Today was a day of “good byes”.  After living in community with people you have gotten to know and with whom you have shared your faith deeply, it’s hard to leave.  Jerrie made friends with Janet, a wonderful spouse of a Bishop from the back country of Australia.  It is hard to know we will probably never seem them again; at least in this lifetime.

One of the most amazing group of people were the music team that provided music and accompaniment for all of the worship services.  The team was headed up by Geoff Weaver, seen in the photo projected on one of the big screens in the Big Top.  A couple of the musicians are also in the picture.

The thing I don’t think Jerrie or I will miss is our dorm rooms with wet baths.  I didn’t remember how small college dorm rooms were, even if you only have clothes for three weeks.  It will be nice to get back to our normal accommodations.

This afternoon Archbishop Rowan gave his final Presidential address.  It was wonderful and should be read in its entirety.

So it’s over.  What do I think about this second Lambeth Conference that I have attended?  It was exactly what the Archbishop of Canterbury promised us when he sent out the invitation.  There would be an opportunity to take the pulse of the Bishops of the Anglican Communion; and there was (see the Report).  We would have ample opportunity for Bible Study together, along with generous conversation; and we did, studying the “I am” phrases of Jesus from the Gospel according to John.  No decisions would be made; so there would be no winners and no losers.  And there aren’t.

The process we followed did intrinsically make us be more generous with one another, and in this we all discovered that we all deeply desire to work at walking together as a Communion.  And one might say we did make a decision: that was to sit closer to God and to one another.  This was a journeying; a pilgrimage of faith.  And hopefully as a result, all of the participants will return to their dioceses as better Bishops and spouses, ready to enthusiastically proclaim the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ our Savior.

It has been our pleasure to represent you at this 2008 Lambeth Conference.

In Christ Jesus,
+Russ and Jerrie Jacobus

Posting #11

Friday, August 1, 2008 - In these last few days of the Lambeth Conference, now that relationships have been developed, it is much easier to talk in the small Bible Study Groups and the bit larger Indaba groups on the serious issues of human sexuality, the possible Anglican Covenant, and the continuation of the Windsor process.  These discussions have been very open and fruitful.

Just a reminder that we are not having legislative sessions, so the Conference will not pass resolutions to be sent out to the Communion.  We are in the process of developing a “Report” which will be a record of what has been said and heard at the Conference from the Indaba groups as well as at the opening hearings that have been held.

Speaking of open hearings, God is good!  Most of the open hearings are held in the spouses venue; a big hall in the sports complex that does not seem to have air conditioning.  Yesterday I attended an opening hearing on the continuation of the Windsor process.  On the way I stopped for a café mocha.  It was the best coffee I have had since I have arrived in England.  The hearing was in one of the lecture halls, which was air conditioned.  And one of the major contributors at the hearing was Bishop Tom Wright (Durham), a major theologian and author.  I thought I had died and went to heaven.

Last evening (Thursday), Jerrie and I had tickets for a Candlelight tour of Canterbury Cathedral.  The tour only included about 50 people, divided into two groups.  By candlelight we toured parts of the Cathedral that are not available to public visitors.  This included getting up close to St. Augustine’s Chair, the memorial at the sight where Becket’s tomb lay until 1535, and the crypt.  The tour concluded with Compline in the main choir.

Friday was again a long day, but productive.  At our Bible Study, as well as at two gatherings of our Indaba groups (one in the morning and one in the late afternoon) we began to seriously consider the possibility of an Anglican Covenant.  There was also an early afternoon hearing, the third one, on the development of the final report of the Conference.

Regarding the possible Covenant, there is still a lot of the process to be completed.  The Covenant Design Group is gathering information and ideas from the Lambeth Conference.  They will then meet in September to compile a third draft.  This draft will be sent to the Provinces of the Church for comment and critique.  The CDG will receive these comments by April and possible revise the draft one more time for presentation to the Anglican Consultative Council in May of 2009.  The ACC will then determine if it will be sent on to the Provinces for ratification, if it will simply be dropped, or if will go back to the drafting group for further revision.

The general feeling here about the draft Covenant is that we need one, and that the Covenant is pretty good.  However there is an Appendix to the Covenant which is the cause of problems for many.  This part answers the question, “what if” a Province promises to adhere to the Covenant, but then does not.  The general feeling is that question needs to be answered, but many feel it should contain principles for mutual accountability, rather than the hersh legal language that is there.

My take on it all is that I believe sometime in the future there will be an Anglican Covenant which will be drafted to hold the Communion together rather than determine who is in and who is out.  It will be based on mutual responsibility and accountability that will keep us form doing things in the future that may harm one another or the Communion itself.

I believe there are some in the Communion that hoped the Lambeth Conference would draw lines.  This will not be the case.  All here desire to walk together and work at making that happen through “sacrificial generosity”, as the Archbishop of Canterbury put it.  What this will look like may not be known for some time.

Two more long days, and then it’s over for now.  But there is talk about not waiting another ten years to meet.  A shortened and representative Conference every five years is being talked about, with the possibility of some being involved via technology.  We are in a new ear since the first Lambeth Conference.  We are even in a very different place that we were in 1998.  And who knows what our world will be like in another five years.

I’ll wait until after our closing Eucharist Sunday evening to make my final reflections.  It has been very positive; very uplifting; very informative; very spiritual.  I pray that we end in this same manner.

Representing you at Lambeth,
+Russ

Posting #10

Bishop Jacobus Bible Study Group: (l-r): John Packer (Ripon & Leeds, England); Robert Anderson (Assistant, Los Angeles, USA); Robert Mumbi (Diocese of Luapula, Zambia); Jacob Chimeledya (Mpwapwa, Tanzania); Harold Daniel (Jamaica, West Indies); Ron Cutler (Nova Scotia, Canada); Muru Walters (Te Upoko o te, New Zealand); Albert Chama (North Zambia); Russ Jacobus (Fond du Lac, USA).

Thursday, July 31, 2008 - During the last couple of days we have had some excellent opportunities for discussion related to the issues that seem to be dividing the Communion.  These have take place through presentations, open hearing, but mostly in Bible Study and Indaba groups.

Tuesday, July 29th began, after the Eucharist and breakfast, with a plenary session for all bishops and spouses.  The theme for the day was “Equal in God’s Sight: When Power is Abused”.  It focused primarily on spousal abuse and other abuses of women.  It was suggested that there may be some abuse of power, possibly even by bishops, in some cultures where the Anglican Communion is present.  There was Bible study included with this presentation.

Following Evening Prayer, the Archbishop of Canterbury made his second “presidential” address to the Conference.  I was very impressed by the way he was able to state the opposing views that exist within the Communion and how he sensed each wished to be heard at this Conference.  He then called all to a change of positioning ourselves against one another by saying: “I’ve made no secret of what I think that change should be — a Covenant that recognizes the need to grow towards each other (and also recognizes that not all may choose that way).  I find it hard at present to see another way forward that would avoid further disintegration.  But whatever your views on this, at least ask the question : ‘Having heard the other person, the other group, as fully and fairly as I can, what generous initiative can I take to break through into a new and transformed relation of communion in Christ?’” I recommend you read it for yourself. You can also download the audio of the address at this link.

Wednesday and this morning our themes have been “Living under Scripture: The Bishop and the Bible in Mission” and “Listening to God and Each Other: The Bishop and Human Sexuality”.  Individual contexts and cultures play a great role in how the bishops respond to these challenging issues.  Both in my Bible Study and my Indaba group, we had opportunity to share how these issues impact the mission of the church in our own dioceses.  We are at a point where people are very open and honest with their thoughts yet being respectful of persons who may not feel the same way as they do.

This morning, in the “Daily Journal”, a video immediately following the Eucharist in the worship space which reflects on the day to come, the Archbishop of Canterbury made the statement, something to the effect, that the resolution on sexuality adopted at the 1998 Lambeth Conference is still in effect, as he sees most of the Communion still in that place.  He said we would not look at revising it here, but fulfilling the parts of the resolution that called for respect of and listening to our brothers and sisters who find themselves of an orientation toward members of the same sex.

I’m sure many here will not be happy with that statement, and many at home will also find it difficult.  How this statement, and what the Archbishop called us to in his second address, will play out in these last four days of the Conference, is yet to be seen

There has been a group working on a draft of “Reflections upon the Lambeth Conference 2008”.  We had one open hearing on the second draft of this report, and this afternoon we will have another hearing on the third draft.  It is a report that is trying to capture the essence of what has been going on during the past two weeks, looking at the ideas and thoughts that have been shared, with hopes for the future.  My concern is that, with four days remaining, the third draft is 18 pages long.  If we produce an account that is 25 pages long, it would be great for the archives, but would probably not be something that most people in the Communion would take time to read.  My hope is that there will also be something like an Executive Summary of the report.

The long days and fairly rapid pace are getting to me.  I have not walked so much in a long time.  I have not sat in so many groups in hot rooms and tents for a long time.  And I haven’t eaten this much cafeteria food since I was in college (OK, maybe at the last Lambeth Conference).  I look forward to being back in the Diocese, seeing familiar faces, and hearing familiar accents.

For now, that’s about it.

Representing you at Lambeth,
+Russ

Posting #9

Monday, July 28, 2008 - As I discovered at the Lambeth Conference in 1998, the Bible Study groups, as a part of the Lambeth program, are one of the most valuable aspects of the Conference.  With the consideration of the “I am” statements of Jesus, like “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate” which was our text for this morning (John 10:1-10), my group was able to talk seriously about what it means to us personally for Jesus to be the “gate” where Jesus both invites the world into the church and urges the sheep to trustingly follow him out into the world.  We also had in-depth conversation about “the voice” of the One who calls the sheep.

In our Indaba group today we reflected on the role of the bishop in inter-faith relationships.  The “Lambeth Reader” is on-line.  If you have a chance read pages 69-76, “Generous Love: the truth of the Gospel and the call to dialogue.”  It was very informative to hear from bishops who serve in countries that are predominantly Muslim, where any type of evangelism or even preaching / teaching outside the church is forbidden by law to the English bishop who serves in a community that is over 6% Muslim (England is 3% Muslim on the average).  This bishop was from the city where two of the 7/7 bombers came from.  (7/7 was England’s 9/11.)  He said that most of the radical Muslims comes from a couple of particular areas and are highly funded by petroleum money.  The challenges for inter-faith dialogue, evangelism, and ecumenical efforts are very different in most of our local contexts.

This afternoon we had the second hearing with the “Windsor Continuation Group”.  This group is looking into how, if at all, the Windsor process should continue.  There were speakers from both sides: those who believe any continuation with its call for moratoria would prevent the church from moving forward, and those who hope some Windsor guidelines would continue for the good of keeping the Communion together.  In both cases, as well as for those in the middle, most desire to work toward holding the Anglican Communion together as an essential witness to a hurting and divided world.

There was a limited time for speaking (only an hour and a half both Friday and today).  Those who could not get time at the microphone, like myself, were able to submit written comments, which I did.  These will be collated and the Windsor Continuation Group will report back toward the end of the Conference, but no specific action will be taken until the reports from the WCG can be considered by the Primates and the Anglican Consultative Council.

During the rest of this week we will have additional opportunities to give input to the WCG as well as begin our discussions of the St. Andrew’s draft of a proposed Anglican Covenant.  (In many of the Bible Study groups and Indaba groups, these topics have been discussed in light of the “I am” statements of Jesus and the role of the Bishop as they relate to Evangelism, Ecumenism, Social Justice, Safeguarding Creation and our Inter-faith dialogues.  The dividing issues are a part of all of our life as a Communion.)

Since I get too tired in the late evening to write, I’m writing just before dinner.  This evening our plenary speaker is Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregation of the Commonwealth.  His topic is “Exposition of the Hebrew Scriptures: the relationship between the people and God – the Covenant.”

From Jerrie:

Each morning after Eucharist and breakfast I rush out to the edge of the campus to the Spouses’ Venue.  We meet in a plenary session to listen and discuss the topic for the day.  Today’s topic was “Called to be God’s Peacemakers”.  We heard a powerful presentation by the religious communities (Sisters and Brothers) of Polynesia and the Solomon Islands who felt called to be peacemakers in a conflict that claimed the lives of 7 of the brothers by torture and death from militants.  As the religious community mourned their fallen Brothers, the village and militant community came together to be healed and reconciled and lay down their weapons and be cleansed and forgiven.

After a table discussion with other women from around the Anglican Communion, we go off to small bible study.  We are also studying the “I Am” statements of Jesus from John.  Our mornings are filled with stories of faith, hope and support for one another, always ending with lots of prayers.

After lunch I had an opportunity to visit Sissinghurst, a garden in the ruin of a great Elizabethan house, set in the middle of its own woods, streams and farmland.

It was a beautfiul and pleasant respite from the heavy conversations of the morning.  After our time at Sissinghurst, we were invited to take tea with a lady named Pat at her home.  What a surprise to find an ancient country farm with sheep at pasture and a gentle Englishwoman who has lovely gardens of her own.  Her home was originally built in 1460 and remodeled in 1670.  It has virtually been unchanged since.  She was a delight and it was a very real and genuine sharing of herself and her home.

Representing you at Lambeth,
+Russ and Jerrie

Posting #8

Sunday, July 27, 2008 - Since today was Sunday, it was a day of “rest”.  Breakfast at 8am with buses leaving for Canterbury Cathedral at 9:30am, for those of us who did not sign up to preach in another congregation this Sunday.  Following the 11:00am Eucharist at the Cathedral (with the Archbishop of Canterbury celebrating and the Dean of the Cathedral preaching), the Dean hosted lunch on the precincts’ lawns for 800.  It was a joyous service and a wonderful luncheon.

In the mid-afternoon we walked over to St. Augustine Abbey for a Civic reception hosted by the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Councillor Carolyn Parry.  (Yes, even though she is a woman, she is still the Lord Mayor.)  We were served tea and cakes when we arrived, had an opportunity to explore the Abbey grounds, and listen to music provided by both the Band of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment and the Maridadl Singers and Drummers.

At 6:15pm we assembled in the ruins of the Abbey Church for a brief address by the Lord Mayor and comments from the Archbishop of Canterbury.  Before leaving we were served Champaign and canapés.  Buses took us back to the campus in time for dinner at 8pm.

Standing most of the day, or sitting on the lawn to eat, was not very restful.  And tomorrow we get back to our regular schedule.

Representing you at Lambeth,
+Russ

Posting #7

Saturday, July 26, 2008 - After our Thursday away in London, Friday resumed with the normal schedule: Eucharist at 7:15am through the evening Plenary that ends about 10:00pm.

For the past several days, in our Bible Study groups, as well as in our expanded Indaba groups, we have focused on the leadership role of the bishop in Evangelism, in Ecumenical relations, and in the safeguarding of Creation.  Especially in my bible study group I hear of the challenges to evangelism and ecumenical relations in other cultures and contexts.

In the discussion of these topics, the current divisive issues do arise.  As we were talking about evangelism, a bishop from Canada, where same gender marriages are approved by the government, said that their challenge comes from people who wonder why the Church (except in 4 congregations in the Diocese of Westminster) will not bless same gender unions.  At the same time a bishop from a predominantly Muslim country, where the law prohibits even discussion of homosexuality, has the challenge of reaching out to persons who are seeking a pastoral response from the Church.

Ecumenical relationships differ from countries in which Christians are in the minority, where together all Christian denominations need to oppose a dominant non-Christian government, to countries where Christianity is strong, but secular society has no interest in what they have to say.

As we begin discussions I find myself focused on our own context.  After just a few minutes, I see how different we look at all issues, depending on the challenges we face in our society or national setting.

Last night professor Chris Rapley, currently Director of the Science Museum in London and well known expert on climate change, gave a plenary presentation on the ecological crisis, and the role the church could play.  One of the things he said, which made an impact of my thinking, was that God created everything that was needed to sustain us before he created mankind.  And God’s creation on the 6th day was not meant to destroy the creation of the first five days.

In our Bible study and Indaba groups we discussed how, in our own contexts, we experience the fallenness of humankind in light of the creation, and how we as dioceses as well as the Communion as a whole can participate more effectively in efforts to sustain and renew the earth.

This afternoon I had my photo taken with over 600 of my closest friends.  The spouses also had a photo taken earlier in the day.  Herding bishops is like, as the saying goes, herding cats.  I was amazed that they got us all up on bleachers for a photo in just over an hour.

Since we have been here fore over two weeks, yesterday Jerrie did some wash (I did help fold and iron).  I haven’t mentioned the British pound before, but if you have followed the market in past months you will know the dollar is quite weak.  When we were here in 2003, 1£ was equal to a little less than $1.50.  Yesterday the exchange rate was 1£ = $1.99+.  Getting back to the wash, the machines in the dorm cost £1.8 to wash one load (that’s about $3.60 per load, just to wash).

Jerrie and I are looking forward to this evening and the early part of the day tomorrow.  There is no session this evening, and tomorrow, Sunday, we can attend any of the churches in Canterbury that we would like.  I’m hoping to sleep in a bit and get to the 11am Eucharist at the Cathedral.  In the afternoon we will be bused to St. Augustine’s Abbey in Canterbury for a Civic reception.  The reception will be hosted by the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, who Jerrie and I met and talked with at the tea party at Buckingham Palace.

Even though I have not said much about the Windsor Continuation Process and the Anglican Covenant Committee, there have bee several “self-select” opportunities for both the these topics, and both will be covered in much detail during the coming week.  I think they put these off a bit so that we could first develop personal relationships.  It is much easier to talk about the difficult topics with those you know, and our discussions to this point have allowed for that.

Representing you at Lambeth,
+Russ

Posting #6

Thursday, July 24, 2008 - What a glorious day. Breakfast was served at 6:00am so that we could start queuing up (lining up) for busses which would begin leaving for London at 7:15am. Today was truly a day for standing in line.

The bus trip to London took about 2 hours. We were dropped off at Whitehall Palace to begin a “Walk of Witness” on behalf of the Millennium Development Goals. The march was about a mile long and took us past 10 Downing Street, past the Parliament, over the Lambeth bridge to Lambeth Palace.

We carried signs that said “Keep the Promise” (of the MDG’s), “Halve Poverty by 2015”, and “Do Justice, Love Mercy”.

Jerrie and I walked part of the way with the Rt. Rev. Tilewa Johnson, the bishop of the Gambia, who was a member of my Lambeth Bible Study group in 1998.

At Lambeth Palace the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, spoke to us regarding the Millennium Development Goals, and the commitments that the United Kingdom would be making to keeping them. (It is my hope to get a cd of his talk and make it available at the Diocesan Convention.

Following the talk and prayer by the Archbishop of Canterbury, we had lunch in a “tent” in his back yard, with about 1500 of our closest friends.

After lunch we queued up again to get on buses to be taken to Buckingham Palace for tea with the Queen. Cell phones and cameras are not allowed onto the grounds of Buckingham Palace, so we do not have any pictures.

We were not introduced to the Queen but the couple in front of us was. Even though we did not converse, there was a moment when eye contact was made between the two of us. (I’m sure she didn’t remembered me from Lambeth 1998, or she may have ask.)

At about 5:30pm we again lined up for buses to return to Canterbury, arriving back on campus for dinner at about 8:45pm.

What a day. What opportunities. I thank God for allowing me to represent you all here at the Lambeth Conference.

+Russ

Posting #5

Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - As I got up this morning, checked the internet for the weather for the day, I thought I should take a little time to share some “incidentals” regarding the Lambeth Conference. These would include the fact that the temperature when I got up this morning was 44 degrees, but weather.com said it would feel like 41. Since the sun rises at 5:07am, it does begin to warm up by mid-morning. It did actually get up to the high 60’s today, but the humidity was almost 80%. Tomorrow it is supposed to get into the low 70’s. On Thursday, for our day in London visiting Lambeth Palace (for lunch) and Buckingham Palace (for Tea), it is supposed to be in the low 80’s with about 80% humidity (the day we will be wearing our cassocks all day).

Earlier I mentioned the number of languages that the talks and presentations are translated into. The impact of various cultures is also very evident.

In my Bible Study group yesterday we were discussing John 6:14-21, where the disciples leave in a boat to go across the lake and as they are reaching the other side, with the wind getting stronger, Jesus comes walking on water. They think he is a ghost. In African culture, as clarified by two of my Bible Study group members from Zambia, ghosts are often thought to bring bad events to pass, especially around water. Their interpretation of this passage was obviously very different from those of persons from other cultures.

Today our study was on John 6:1-14, 25-59, where Jesus talks about being the Bread of Life and the need to eat of his flesh. Bishop Muru, a member of by study group from New Zealand, shared with us how, in not to distant times, cannibalism was part of their culture. After turning away from that practice, Christian missionaries came to tell them they needed to eat Jesus’ flesh. He said it took a long time and a lot of reinterpretation of this passage before it was accepted by that culture.

I forgot what it is like to live on a college campus. Jerrie and I have been walking more each day than we do in weeks at home. Our dorm rooms are at one end of the venue, so when we leave for the Eucharist at 7am we put our worship and song books, along with our bible study guides, our Bible, our “The Lambeth Reader’ in a back pack and spend the day trudging all over the campus.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and his wife Jane, have scheduled about ten evening dinners for about a tenth of the bishops and spouses each time. Jerrie and I had dinner this evening with them. Jane came to sit with us at our table for dessert.

In the London Times this morning I was told there was an article about the turmoil that is going on at the Lambeth Conference. I’m not sure where the reporters have seen this, but that is not the case on campus. We are getting along quite well, even with the occasional discussions about the divisive issues facing the Church. I hope what you are hearing at home, if anything, is that we have been talking about evangelism and mission, are worshiping together daily, are studying scripture, and encountering Jesus in each other in many and varied ways.

Those are some incidental reflections. More to come in a day or so.

Representing you at Lambeth,
+Russ

Posting #4

Monday, July 21, 2008 - The Opening Eucharist for the Lambeth Conference was held yesterday, at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Canterbury. It was a very moving spiritual and worship experience. Admission was by ticket only.

Jerrie Jacobus and Bishop Russell Jacobus outside Canterbury Cathedral before the Opening Eucharist.

All of the bishops were vested and in procession (some 600 plus). The Archbishop of Canterbury presided and the Bishop of the diocese of Colombo (Sri Lanka), the Rt. Rev. Duleep de Chickera, was the preacher. It was an excellent sermon. Also, since cameras were not allowed in the Cathedral for the service, you can see inside photos at the photo gallery.

On our walk from the coach park (where the busses dropped us off) to the Cathedral, and then again on our return walk, we were confronted by some protestors. I took a photo of one of the more mild signs.

Sunday afternoon the Bishops had a plenary session for 2½ hours, introducing us to the program for the remaining two weeks. This included a presentation from the Windsor Continuation Group, a task force appointed by the Archbishop to look into if and how we (the Communion) should continue the process that was begun with the publication of the Windsor Report. There will be a number of hearings during the coming two weeks for the bishops to give input to this committee.

A presentation was also made by the Covenant Design Group on the continuing process of considering the possibility of an Anglican Covenant. They gave a brief history of everything that led up to the “Report and Second Draft” of a Covenant. The Lambeth Conference will not revise or vote on any draft covenant. All we will have the opportunity to do, again through open hearings, is to make our thoughts and ideas on the current draft covenant known. This information will then go to the Covenant Design Group for consideration at their next meeting in September. A third draft may be developed sometime after that meeting for consideration by the Anglican Consultative Council in 2009. If there is to be any Anglican Covenant, it is still at least several years off.

Today, Monday, we began what was called “Ordinary Day 1”. Most of the remaining days will follow this same schedule. The Eucharist is at 7:15am, followed by breakfast at 8:15am, followed by Bible Study at 9:15am.

Tea was served at 10:30am. (How English!) Our Indaba groups met from 11:00am to 12:30am. The Indaba Group is made up of 5 Bible Study Groups (or 40 to 45 people). In these groups we will be discussing the larger issues facing the Bishop as leader of the Church. (You can download, or just read, “The Lambeth Reader”, which is the resource we are working from, and contains the issues we will be discussing.)

Lunch was at 1:00pm followed by our province meeting at 2:00pm. (Our Province is The Episcopal Church in the USA.) We met just to kind of catch up with each other. This was followed by tea at 3:30pm and another meeting of the Indaba group from 4:00to 5:30pm.

Jerrie and I accepted an invitation from The Episcopal Church Foundation to a reception with refreshments and a light dinner. This was hosted by the Presiding Bishop, as honorary Chair, and the Chair of the Foundation Board and the President of the Foundation.

We returned to the campus for a plenary session on Evangelism which lasted from 8:15 to 10:00pm. Brian McLaren, author of “More Ready Than You Realize”, pastor and inspirational speaker, gave a talk entitled “Changing contexts: Breaking open our models for evangelism”. It was very insightful and moving, speaking to how we are still trying to use ways of evangelizing from pre-modern and modern times in a post-modern culture; and we wonder why they don’t work. He stressed that we don’t have to dumb-down the Gospel, just package it in a more attractive container for our time.

The Archbishop said they would be working on getting us a copy of this presentation in some form. If they do, I will see how some of it may be made available at our fall Diocesan Convention.

The thing that continually amazes me by experiencing the Lambeth Conference is the breadth of our multicultural Communion. The last two days brought this to light as a number of presentations are not given in English. The Conference has supplied each attendee with a receiving device and ear phones, and almost everything at the Conference is translated into seven languages in addition to English.

Well, since it is going on mid-night and tomorrow and tomorrows schedule is similar to today, I better wait until later to reflect more.

For more information visit “Lambeth Daily”, a paper of what is happening, along with the Photo Library. And be sure to check out the cartoon: Dave Walker is the resident cartoonist and has a new cartoon for each day. We publish his cartoons in the Clarion.

Representing you at Lambeth,
+Russ

Posting #3

Saturday, July 19, 2008 - At noon today the Bishops finished their two and a half day retreat, which was the beginning of the Lambeth Conference for us. The Archbishop of Canterbury’s meditations continued to be uplifting through the last one late morning. Thursday and Friday, we spent the retreat time at Canterbury Cathedral. It was a magnificent setting. I was able to spend time in prayer and reflection in several of the many chapels as well as the Quire (what they call the Choir) in between the meditations. The final morning of the retreat was held in the Big Top on campus.

I previously referred to the Thursday meditations. The Friday meditations focused on “the cost of the Bishop’s discipleship” and the idea that “the Bishop’s ministry is a shared ministry”. The Archbishop suggested that the ministry of the Anglican Communion bishops working together could be a model of unity for the rest of the Communion. The final meditation today stressed that we as bishops need to walk where Jesus leads. The Archbishop’s meditation was based on the concept that there is no separation between the bishop’s leadership and the bishop’s following of Jesus Christ.

Jerrie and I have also had a bit of fun. Jerrie came to Canterbury Cathedral late Friday afternoon with a couple of other spouses to meet us outside the gates. Rather than take the bus back to the campus, we stayed in town and had dinner at the Thomas Becket Pub. It was fun. (In addition to a photo of us at dinner, I’m including a photo of the spot in Canterbury Cathedral where Thomas was martyred. This story is the basis for the play “Murder in the Cathedral”.)

Saturday afternoon we had a worship service (basically Evening Prayer) at which about 25 Ecumenical representative and guests were welcomed. These included representatives from most of the mainline denominations, including Bishop Mark Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, who is also the president of the Lutheran World Federation. For dinner this evening Jerrie and I were asked to host the representative from the worldwide office of the Seventh Day Adventists. (Anthony Kent is an Australian from the Adventist’s international office in Maryland.)

Tomorrow (Sunday, July 20th) is the Opening Eucharist for the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury Cathedral (admission by ticket only). The Right Reverend Duleep de Chickera, the Bishop of Colombo, Sri Lanka, that spent time with us prior to Lambeth in the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds, is the scheduled preacher. No cameras or cell phones are allowed in the Cathedral tomorrow, so I may not be able to send home photos of this event. (If you want to see photos, there is a photo gallery).

In the afternoon the Bishops have a plenary session to introduce us to the format for the rest of the Conference. Do continue to keep Lambeth in your prayers. I will send another report in a couple of days.

Representing you at the Lambeth Conference,
+Russ

Posting #2

Thursday, July 17, 2008 - The Lambeth Conference began yesterday with a welcome session followed by dinner.  It was a very long day beginning with a five hour drive from Leeds to Canterbury.  When we arrived at the University of Kent, on the hill outside Canterbury, we were among several hundred other bishops and spouses also arriving about the same time.  With registration at two tables (one for sur names A to L, the other for M to Z) we stood in a queue for almost two hours.

We found our rooms in Tyler Court, at one end of the campus, a considerable walk to the cafeterias, the spouses’ venue, and the “Big Top”, where worship and plenary sessions are held.  As was rumored, Jerrie and I each have our own room, a single dorm room with bed, desk, chair, and clothes nook.  The blessing is that each room has its own bathroom, even though very tiny, with a toilet, sink and a shower-head on the wall in one corner with a pull-curtain to keep from getting the rest of the bathroom wet when you shower.  It is also a blessing that the rooms are next to each other.

Following the welcome session by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the conference planning team, we were dismissed from the “Big Top” by sections.  Since Jerrie and I were in the middle, up front, we were the last to be dismissed and again ended in a queue at one of the two cafeteria sites.  After waiting in line about another hour and a half, we had dinner.  Bedtime seemed not to arrive soon enough.

Today was a very pleasant day.  Beginning with worship at 7:15am and followed by breakfast, we had our first meeting of our Bible Study groups.  We will meet every day with this small group of about 8 (I have nine in my group) for the study of the “I am” statements of Jesus from John’s Gospel.

My Bible study group includes one other American Bishop, Bob Anderson, assisting bishop of Los Angeles; the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds in England, whom I spent the past week with; the bishop of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Canada; two bishops from Zambia; a bishop from the West Indies; and two others from dioceses in Africa.

Jerrie said the wives had a plenary session following breakfast, with their Bible study groups meeting prior to lunch.  Her group was disappointing as the only ones that showed up today were Jerrie and another American spouse, and two English bishops’ spouses.  She is hoping that the others on the list will appear in future days.

For the Bishops, Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning are to be a time of retreat, with meditations given by the Archbishop of Canterbury.  Mid-morning we were bussed down to Canterbury Cathedral.  The whole of the Cathedral and precinct (grounds) were closed to the public for this period of time.  The two meditations Thursday were very moving; the first based on Galatians 1:16 and the second based on 2 Corinthians 11:28-29.  As bishops, these reflections helped us look at the call of our ministry, how the Son of God may be revealed to others through us, and how we might best bear the burden of others in the name of Jesus.

Between the meditations, we had ample time to wander the cathedral and the grounds, spend time in the different chapels in prayer, make our Confession in one of several chapels having members of religious communities serving our spiritual needs.

Truly this was a wonderful way to begin our time together, and I look forward to the meditations yet to come.  The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams is a wonderful teacher, and giving such a retreat is a forte of his.

This evening we went to the cafeteria earlier so we only had to wait in line for a short time.  Following dinner bishops and spouses went to the spouses venue where Jane Williams, spouse of the Archbishop, shared with us her new book, “Marriage, Mitres, and Being Myself”, a collection of reflections on being the spouse of a bishop from spouses around the world.  A complimentary, signed copy, was given to each spouse.

My next reflection in this series will be done over the weekend.  If you are reading this during the time of the Conference, please continue to keep us all in your prayers,

Representing you at Lambeth,
+Russ

Posting #1

Monday, July 14th - For those not aware, the Archbishop of Canterbury suggested that the Bishops of the dioceses in England, Scotland and Wales invite other bishops from around the world to their diocese for several days prior to the start of the Lambeth Conference. I was in a small Bible study group at Lambeth with one of the Suffragan bishops in England, so I contacted him to see if Jerrie and I could visit them. Bishop Martyn Jarrett is Bishop of Beverley, a Suffragan of the Diocese of York, who actually lives in the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds. +Martyn asked the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds if he would invite us, which he did. We are being hosted in Leeds by Bishop Martyn and his wife Betty; and we are having a wonderful time. They are truly wonderful hosts.

Jerrie and I arrived in London very early Thursday morning, taking several trains to Leeds where we finally got to the Jarrett’s in the late afternoon. Some of our luggage spent an extra night and day in Boston, and an additional night and day in Manchester before arriving just in time Saturday afternoon so I could look presentable for Evensong at Ripon Cathedral and dinner following at the home of the Very Rev. Keith and the Rev. Susanne Jukes. Keith+ is Dean of the Cathedral and Susanne+ is the assistant at a neighboring parish.

Others invited to visit this diocese include the Rt. Rev. Duleep de Chickera and his wife Geetha. +Duleep is bishop of the diocese of Colombo in Sri Lanka; The Rt. Rev. Kumara Illangasinghe, Bishop of the diocese of Kurunegala in Sri Lanka, with his wife Lakmini and daughter Deekshya; and the Rt. Rev. Larry Benfield, Bishop of Arkansas.

During the day Friday we visited Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, near Ripon, North Yorkshire. This is Yorkshire’s first World Heritage Site and is a huge estate of beauty, contrasts and surprises including the largest abbey ruins in the country and one of England’s most spectacular Georgian water gardens. Being the Feast of St. Benedict, the Eucharist was offered at Noon in the ruins and then we were treated to lunch in the restaurant. The Rt. Rev. John Packer, bishop of Ripon and Leeds was our host.

As I mentioned, we spent a leisurely Saturday with our hosts, continually calling to try to locate the lost luggage. The day concluded with Evensong and dinner with the Dean and his wife.

Sunday morning I was invited to celebrate and preach at St. Wilfrid’s Church in Harrogate. It was a truly wonderful experience as that morning they were instituting new choristers into their magnificent choir, and the scout troops of the area were all present and in procession with their flags. Fr. Mark Sowerby was most welcoming to a congregation that is only a little over a hundred years old, where Mass is offered daily, where we had incense at the sung late Eucharist, and where there is a magnificent shrine to our Lady of Walsingham.

In the evening we were hosted by Bishop Packer and his wife Barbara to dinner at Bishop House. We had an amazing evening and were joined by his Suffragan, his two Archdeacons, his staff and all of their spouses. (Bishop Packer is right of center under the lampshade with me being second on his right.)

This morning (Monday) we were all invited to tour St. Aidan’s Church of England High School in Harrogate. St. Aidan’s is a renowned State-supported Faith School with over 2000 students. In addition to excellent academics specializing in college preparatory science, they have award winning programs in art, music and sports. We were treated to a brief concert by their youngest choral group, about 60 students from 11 to 14 years old. As our English hosts would say, they were “brilliant”.

Since we are continually being fed, the visit to St. Aidan’s High School was followed by a Civic Reception and Lunch at the Leeds Civic Hall hosted by the Deputy Lord Mayor, Gerald Wilkinson and the Deputy Lady Mayoress, Mrs. Pat Small. The visiting Bishops and Spouses were officially welcomed to the City of Leeds. We were again joined for this celebration by our hosts, spouses and staff.

(Jerrie is standing next to the Deputy Lord Mayor and I am standing next to the Deputy Lady Mayoress.)

Tomorrow Jerrie and I will be traveling on our own to York to see York Minster and several other sights, and possibly to do a little shopping prior to leaving for the Lambeth Conference at the University of Kent in Canterbury on Wednesday morning. The Lambeth Conference begins late afternoon on Wednesday.

The plans for the opening of the Conference include a three-day retreat led by the Archbishop of Canterbury. My next communication may not be until the end of this retreat-time.

Please continue to keep the Lambeth Conference in your prayers.

In Christ Jesus,
+Russ (and Jerrie)

Bishop Arrives in England

July 10th, 2008 – Bishop Russell Jacobus and his wife Jerrie arrived early in the morning (local time) on July 10th. England is six hours ahead of the Diocese of Fond du Lac. They spent most of the day getting acclimated to a different country and a different time zone.

The Jacobus', as part of the pre-Lambeth Conference Hospitality Initiative, are hosted by the Church of England's Bishop of Beverley, the Rt Revd Martyn Jarrett and his wife Betty. Bishop Jarrett is one of three Provincial Episcopal Visitors (nicknamed 'flying Bishops') serving the Province of York.

Bishop Prepares For Once a Decade Meeting

July 7, 2008 – A worldwide gathering will include the Episcopal Bishop from northeastern Wisconsin. The Rt. Rev. Russell E. Jacobus, Bishop of Fond du Lac leaves this Wednesday for the Lambeth Conference, a meeting of bishops of the Anglican Communion held every decade in England.

The first Conference was held in 1867 at Lambeth Palace, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s London residence. This year's Conference begins July 16th and ends August 4th. Because of its size it is held at the University of Kent. The chief aims of the Conference are to share Anglican identity and grow in energy and enthusiasm for the task of leading the work of mission in the Anglican/Episcopal Church.

"I look forward to being with and worshipping with my fellow Bishops from around the world," said Bishop Jacobus who attended the Lambeth Conference in 1998. "I especially hope to connect with those whom I met ten years ago as well as those Bishops called to serve Dioceses since then."

The majority of Bishops attending are from the developing world which is experiencing a growth of membership that outpaces the rest of the Communion. "There is much to learn from Bishops in the developing world. I want to gain an understanding of how they spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in ways that is bearing so much fruit," Bishop Jacobus stated.

The Lambeth Conference is not a rules making body, but rather a fellowship for Bishops from around the world who share a common Anglican heritage. When asked what he expected to see come out of the Conference, Bishop Jacobus replied he was hoping that there is "a deeper understanding and appreciation of the different contexts in which we live and how we can respect one another in those contexts and communicate about it. This is a much better way than the taking sides approach to our common ministry."

Photo Album

Visit the Lambeth Conference Photo Library.

Bishop Jacobus Pictures from Lambeth 2008
Jerrie's Bible Study group	Jerrie visits Sissinghurst
Jerrie's Bible Study group	Jerrie visits Sissinghurst	Bishop Jacobus Bible Study Group: left to right: John Packer (Ripon & Leeds, England); Robert Anderson (Assistant, Los Angeles, USA); Robert Mumbi (Diocese of Luapula, Zambia); Jacob Chimeledya (Mpwapwa, Tanzania); Harold Daniel (Jamaica, West Indies); Ron Cutler (Nova Scotia, Canada); Muru Walters (Te Upoko o te, New Zealand); Albert Chama (North Zambia); Russ Jacobus (Fond du Lac, USA).
Jerrie and the Archbishop of Canterbury discuss the Anglican Communion with Sheila Ohl.	The Jacobus', Bishop Wallis and Sheila Ohl (Northwest Texas), and Bishop John and Mary Howe (Missouri) offer a toast to Canterbury.	Jerrie talking with Bishop Wallis Ohl and his wife Sheila (Northwest Texas) about the St. Augustine Abbey ruins.	Bishop with the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Councillor Carolyn Parry, and her consort.
The Bishop of Fond du Lac and Canterbury Cathedral.	Bishops getting ready for group photo.	Bishop (in red shirt) trudgging across campus with backpack contain Liturgy book, song book, Bible, Lambeth Reader, Bible Study guide and bottle of water for when he collapses.  He is conversing with Louise Jenkins (Louisiana).	Spouses getting ready for photo
Bishop Jacobus and Jerrie outside Canterbury Cathedral following the Opening Eucharist.	Bishops and Spouses attend a reception for American Bishops sponsored by the Episcopal Church Foundation at the Abbots Barton Hotel, Canterbury (Jerrie visible in middle).	View of Canterbury Cathedral from the Campus as we walk to our dorm.	Bishop Jacobus. Jane Williams (Archbishop Rowan Williams' wife), and Jerrie Jacobus.
The 'Big Top' where worship and plenary sessions are held.	Housing for the Bishops and Spouses. Russ & Jerrie are in Tyler C	Dinner out at Thomas Becket pub with Bishop David Jones and Kay, Suffragan of Virginia; Bishop Ken Price and Mariann, Suffragan of Southern Ohio; and Jerrie. The Bishop must be taking the photo.	Location of Thomas Becket's martyrdom.
Giving the blessing in procession following celebrating and preaching at St. Wilfrid's, Harrogate.	Civic Reception at Leeds Civic Hall.	Dinner at Bishop Packer's Residence during pre-Lambeth	Standing in the Roman Arch which was the original entrance to the city of Canterbury
Bishop Jacobus Pictures from Lambeth 1998
Lambeth Palace Gardens prior to luncheon with Archbishop and Prime Minister.	Bishop Jacobus in back gardens at Lambeth Palace, London	Lunch in the tent at Lambeth Palace.	Outside the Walsingham Shrine.
Bible Study Group	Receiving Communion at the Opening Eucharist