July 24, 2008

We were on the bus at 7am headed for London! Most people were half asleep when they got on and they slept most of the way to London. The trip was even interesting since we were fortunate to have a Londoner on our coach and the various historic bits were pointed out for us. We got out at Whitehall to begin the walk. Our bus was the second one to arrive so we had a goodly wait. As a result we got to do interviews with various media from around the world and be photographed with the street wide banner. The photos may appear on the Lambeth web site later.

From ++Rowan’s note to us:
“The walk will be a public act of commitment by the Anglican Communion and other faith groups to continue to put pressure on those who have the power and resources to help end extreme poverty across the globe. It will be about pledging, as a Church, to play our part in continuing to develop lasting solutions. It will also be a walk where we will be in step with those who know at first hand the impact that the unfair distribution of the world’s resources can have on daily living and life opportunities.” At times I walked with a Buddhist monk, the Roman Archbishop from the Middle East, the bishops from Myanmar, Bishop Francis Quashie, and among others, the Bishop of London, who told me our history of being founded by a Bishop of London! I nodded and smiled to be polite. We walked along Abingdon St., past #10 Downing Street, by the parliament building and Big Ben, across the Lambeth Bridge over the Thames to the Lambeth Palace where good cold water was waiting for us! It was a warm and sunny morning so we all have sunburned faces. After all of us had arrived, ++Rowan addressed us briefly and introduced the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. It was wonderful to hear a Prime Minister speak with passion about caring for the people struggling with poverty around the world. When he was finished, Helen Wangusa, the Anglican Observer at the UN thanked him and started by saying, “If I had the authority to ordain you, I would do it right now!” to a huge round of applause. We learned later that his father was a Methodist preacher.

We were then moved from the outer court into the garden where a huge marquis was set up with tables all ready for us with a good but not extravagant lunch. We had time to walk about and check out the library display on the Millenium Development Goals before we had to queue up again for the coaches. On to Buckingham Palace we went. With our presentation cards and passports in hand, we went through security. The Guard was just changing as we arrived so we saw the ancient procedure (although they are now carrying up-to-date weapons not pretend ones!) Tea was being served out in the garden where there was a lovely breeze that reduced the effect of the sun. Two military bands took turns playing while we awaited the arrival of the Queen. She was supposed join us at 4:30pm and only be there for 20 minutes, but she arrive at 4pm and stayed until 5:30pm! She chatted with many people and then had her tea with the primates and spouses. Prince Philip was also there and also took his time meeting lots of people. The Queen certainly looks to be in good form for an 80 something!

Back on the coaches we went to return to Kent University. Most folks were asleep on the way back. Although the walk was not long, we were standing most of the day. It was a good day – public action and lessons in history. We will be back to work tomorrow.