We are pleased to bring you today's thoughts and information to guide your prayers over the proceedings at the 2008 Lambeth Conference.

The great opening ceremony at Canterbury yesterday was an inspiring occasion for the delegates. The conference proper has begun, consisting of prayer and worship sessions, Bible study, optional sessions and 'Indaba Groups' - the background and format of which is explained below.

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Thank you again for your prayers and feedback.

John Simons (on behalf of the team)

Tuesday's Agenda:

We are pleased to bring you today's agenda.

Pray: Please feel free to use the agenda in whatever way you like to prompt your prayer cover over the day's proceedings. Click the more link below to find more information from the main Lambeth Conference website.

More: http://www.lambethconference.org/index.cfm

Lambeth and the Zulu influence

After the Retreat time, the Conference proper has begun. There will be no parliamentary-type debates, leading to Resolutions and a vote. Instead, the bishops will gather in groups of 40, around a large table, for two hours at a time.

Statements will progressively form, on the various themes, as (it is hoped) consensus allows. Indaba is a Zulu word for a gathering for purposeful discussion and is both a process and method of engagement, and offers a way of listening to one another concerning challenges that face the Anglican Communion.

The goal of Indaba is not to problem-solve, but to find ways to hold people together in their differences. So, Indaba is not a debate format. There are not opposing sides, a pro- and a con- set of arguments. It is a series of discussions. Originally in the Zulu context, this would include any issue that affects the whole village. In African society, tribal leaders converse until they come to a type of consensus.

Only time will tell whether the Indaba format will yield a basis of Anglican agreement. Time constraints and language barriers will limit the opportunity for all to contribute. Two weeks on an English University campus for those who are strangers to one another, is not the same as communal living in an African village.

Rowan Williams has denied that the Indabas are a ploy to avoid the Conference facing issues and reaching decisions. The African bishops will no doubt feel at home with this cultural process - or they would do if nearly 200 of them had not boycotted the event.

Pray: that the Indabas over the next fortnight will not be a 'wafflathon' but a constructive process.

More: http://www.lambethconference.org/lc2008/news/news.cfm/2008/7/4/From-Indaba-to-Reflections

Conferences don't just happen ..

Sue Parks, an Australian Christian, has been Director of Feed the Minds and of SPCK Worldwide. She is the Lambeth Conference Organiser, heading up a team that has been on a three-year full-time contract, preparing for Lambeth 2008 on the campus of the University of Kent at Canterbury.

Apart from building the Programme, working with Rowan Williams and a design group, there have been the little matters of organising travel and accommodation for 650 bishops, 570 spouses; the catering (all FairTrade); bringing in a marquee for 1500 people; being environmentally sensitive (projects in Bangladesh & Burundi to offset carbon footprints) .. and much else to administer and oversee.

Pray: for Sue and her team, with 1001 practicalities to be dealt with by this background ministry.

More: http://www.lambethconference.org/daily/news.cfm/2008/7/20/ACNS4436

Media circus or episcopal talkathon?

The press have a demanding job to do. The churches do not always cooperate or show friendly, helpful attitudes towards journalists.

We have to admit that the Anglican Church is not always the most exciting local assignment for the media. But Lambeth offers a much more appetizing scale of opportunity for reporters on the lookout for a new angle for their headlines, articles and blogs.

The influential BBC programme 'Today' ended with the presenter commenting: "It looks like we shall have some fun this week reporting on Lambeth". There will no doubt be plenty of scope for some spin, as the word-smiths sharpen their phrases with ballpoints, Blackberries or laptops.

Tuesday's papers will reveal their 'take' on Monday's Press Conference at Canterbury.

Pray: that the media coverage will not misrepresent the story of the Conference, or become a stumbling block to their readers. Give thanks for those skilled and courageous journalists who speak where many listen and write what many read. May some be freshly touched by the Spirit of God as they meet the bishops - and find new power for their pens, and new inspiration as they report on creation and the Creator, and the Son of God Who loves them.

More: http://www.lambethconference.org/daily/index.cfm

Thank you for your feedback..

We value the feedback from many of our Prayer partners around the globe. We will be circulating some of your comments, pictures and thoughts over the next few days. To contribute, please use our online Contact Form.

Perseverance in Prayer - Perhaps it is time for a bit of light relief? (:->)

If warped shopping trolleys are one of life's sources of frustration, another is trying vainly to get through on a phone to talk to a real human at a switchboard. So perhaps it is timely to be thankful that God does not have a celestial switchboard.

Imagine hearing this:

Thank you for calling the Father's house. Please select one of the following options:

Press 1 for prayer requests.
Press 2 for thanksgivings.
Press 3 for complaints.
Press 4 for all other inquiries.

After an interval (reminding one of eternity):
"All the angels are helping other customers right now. Please stay on the line".

After a further interval.

If you would like to speak to Gabriel, press "1".
For Michael, press "2".
For any other angel, press "3".
For Reservations: dial J-O-H-N 3-1-6

Praise: God that, because of Jesus, you never get an engaged signal when you pray. "You will call, and He will answer, and say 'Here I am'. Isaiah 58.9

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