DAY 1 - July 16

We arrive! I and Paul, and Sally Lambert, arrive safely by train from London on July 16. The Lambeth Conference will actually meet for the most part in Canterbury England, on the campus of the University of Kent. The arriving bishops - some 700 of them - many with their spouses were quickly if chaotically welcomed and ushered into their homes for the next couple or three weeks.

The Conference began with a welcoming ceremony and opening address, and quite a lot of zesty singing, on this first afternoon. Newcomers and oldtimers alike have to get reoriented to the campus. The University, the same site for the last Lambeth Conference, has grown over the last ten years. Much seems familiar. And yet, much has also changed.

The day was bright blue with occasional clouds. The temperature hovered around 70 degrees - a good deal cooler than Dallas!

The welcoming service was simultaneously translated into seven different languages to accommodate the different language groups.

The first few days will be spent in "retreat", beginning with a service at the Cathedral tomorrow (Thursday). The Archbishop will give a couple of talks, and there will be time for prayer and reflection on the Cathedral grounds.

The conference will then get down to "work" - what is called "ordinary days" - after Saturday.

That's about all to report for now. I will try to keep this report brief and focused as the days unfold.

(Note: My dear Diane could not attend this Lambeth Conference due to a conflict with the Board of Uganda Christian University Partners, going on currently.)