May 6

The Eucharist was celebrated by Rev’d Rose Hudson-Wilkin currently in the Church of England but formerly of this diocese. She sang a different setting and it was very easy to learn. I wish I could get the music to go with the words I have.

Breakfast comes after Eucharist and I’m getting more daring. The first few days it was Raisin Bran and orange juice for me. Then I tried June Plum juice which is green and laced with ginger – lovely! Today it was pineapple juice. I have also tried jerk sausage, scrambled eggs with fish, and even a cooked cabbage mixture that seemed odd to me for breakfast, but it tasted good!

The Discernment Groups today were both about the Covenant and the Windsor Continuation Group recommendations. The conversations are good and a lot of misconceptions are being cleared away. There is a real sense that the Communion is worth having when we have considered all the amazing work that is being done. God’s mission is being worked on, in many parts of the world. The main question seems to be, “Will this mission be furthered by having a Covenant?” Most of us are agreed that the building of honest relationships is what is really important to rebuilding a sense of Communion among the members. Will the Covenant contribute to strengthening relationships?

At the morning coffee break, it was the photo op! We had our photos taken with the Archbishop of Canterbury. I think that we will get a paper copy of the photo before we leave. We are told that photos are being posted on the Anglican Communion web site daily, but I have not checked.

In the afternoon we had a business session. It included the report from the Chairman, John Paterson of New Zealand, the report from the General Secretary, Kenneth Kearns and the report about the finances. (It would not have got past our Budget Subcommittee!) We also heard that more than 2/3 of the Provinces in the Communion did approve the changes to the Constitution of the Anglican Consultative Council, so the new Constitution goes into effect at the end of this meeting. There was a fine presentation on the Compass Rose Society by Canadian Bishop Philip Poole who is the current President.

We were told about the election procedures which are similar to our elections at General Synod in that people are elected to positions in steps. So Friday we will elect the Chair, then Saturday the Vice Chair and Monday, the four Standing Committee members.

Then we went out for the evening. The Governor General invited us and the clergy from the parishes where we will be worshiping on Sunday to come to the King’s House, the home of the Governor General. We were treated to Jamaican food, music by Jamaican singers, a puppet show by one of the church groups (complete with a Bishop puppet!), and two readings by a very fine Jamaican actress. It was warm enough to sit outside in short sleeves and there was a full moon. It was a wonderful evening! It was again for me, a time of reflecting on the diversity within our Anglican Church and of giving thanks for it.

+Sue