Our Diocese of New Westminster was fortunate this past weekend to welcome Bishop Michael Curry, retired Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States. Known throughout the world for his work toward a more inclusive Church, Bishop Curry often speaks of the outstretched arms of Jesus on the cross as a sign of God's love reaching out to us all.
He was the keynote speaker at the Mission Conference, Moving in Mission: Guided by the Spirit held at St. John’s Shaughnessy here in Vancouver. The conference began on Friday evening at Christ Church Cathedral with a choir festival and evening prayer featuring choristers from across the lower mainland. Archbishop John Stephens welcomed participants to an evening filled to the rafters with song. It was remarkable to hear the offerings from so many good choirs! Bishop Curry spoke about the power of singing together to foster health and harmony. He referred several times to the old African proverb: “Without song, the Spirit will not descend.”
The following day at St. John’s Shaughnessy, Archbishop John welcomed clergy and lay people from throughout the Diocese for a day of presentations and conversation. He spoke of the ongoing efforts of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and that the Church must continually adapt to the wind and fire of the Holy Spirit. He reminded us that, despite mistakes in the past, we are resurrection people living with hope and we have good news to share. Though it is true that some parishes are declining, overall the Diocese is growing!
He introduced Bishop Curry for the keynote address. The Bishop, a gifted and dynamic speaker, used personal stories and self-depreciating humour to illustrate his points, keeping us laughing throughout. He spoke about the many ways that God keeps trying to bring us back into community with each other. When we are in right relationship to each other and with God, we experience a little something of Paradise. He made particular reference to the Gospel of St. Matthew with its radically inclusive genealogy and its call to go forth and create the family of God.
Lunch arrived a little late, but no one seemed to mind too much. As we waited in the serving area, people spontaneously broke into song. One participant after another would begin a familiar tune, and soon everyone was smiling and singing along. Once again, we experienced the power of music to create fellowship and community.
In the afternoon I attended a presentation by Rev. Dr. Ray Aldred who leads the Indigenous Studies Program at the Vancouver School of Theology.Speaking from personal experience, he reflected on the painful legacy of colonialism and the work of reconciliation. With restorative justice, the truth needs to be told and everybody needs to listen with their hearts otherwise nothing is accomplished. Then people have to come up with a shared plan along with the “emotional energy” and the will to actually do something.
Next I attended a presentation lead an elder in her late eighties introduced simply as Joan. She told us about the joy she had found through her lifelong practice of prayer and her conviction that without prayer she could never have learned to love well.
My final workshop with was with Rev. Jessica Schaap who oversees Christian Formation in the Diocese. She spoke of adult formation, the seasons of life and the different spiritual needs that arise at each stage. We spend the first half of life acquiring and building up; the second, she suggested, is about giving away and letting go. I happy to sit with three other members of our Cathedral community and have a chance to debrief and share conversation.
The Conference was a great success! Bishop Curry concluded the day with a memorable phrase:
By Himself, God won’t. By ourselves, we can’t. Together with God, we can.
These are powerful words to carry with us as we move forward in faith and mission.