We had a fabulous service this morning in St Mary’s. The place was full of people, good preaching, gorgeous music (Haydn’s Little Organ Mass with organ, full choir and strings) and a glorious time was had by all. We ran out of service books and consecrated hosts (again).
At the end of the service, I made the following announcement:
“I have been giving much thought as to how we should mark the Lambeth Conference this summer. All the duly consecrated bishops of the Anglican Communion have been invited to Canterbury for a conference with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. Well, all bar one – the Rt Rev Gene Robinson, the first bishop to acknowledge that he is living in a gay relationship will not be there as he has not been invited.
I have been invited several time to go to Lambeth, to campaign and wave banners and speak and generally campaign. I have decided not to do this. We must simply be who we are.
However, that has left me wondering how we can mark this Conference at St Mary’s. My response to this consists of 4 events:
Firstly, Bishop Idris has kindly agreed to meet with members of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans) group which meet here at this Cathedral.
Secondly, The Most Rev Fred Hiltz, the Primate of All Canada has agreed to come and to preach here at St Mary’s on the Sunday before the Lambeth Conference (13 July 2008).
Thirdly, on the same day, those bishops who will be enjoying the hospitality of the Diocese will be invited here for Evensong. This will be an opportunity to greet them, pray with them and send them on their way to Lambeth with all our best wishes and goodwill.
Finally, it seems to me to be desirable to have someone at the end of the conference to come and preach to us. But who would the best person to have be? After all, all the bishops of Communion will be busy with Rowan Williams in Canterbury at the Conference. Well, all bar one. I’m delighted to announce that the Rt Rev Gene Robinson, the Bishop of New Hampshire has agreed to come and celebrate the Eucharist and to preach the gospel on 3 August 2008 at 1030 here in St Mary’s.
I have met Bishop Gene, prayed with him and heard him preach. He is well worth hearing and I invite you all to bring your friends along on that Sunday to hear him.
Further details will be announced in due course.”
Congratulations ! / Llongyfarchiadau !
I feel very encouraged by this wonderful news — & I don’t even live in Scotland !
Glasgow is well named ! — dear green (place)
I feel the Greening of my soul !
Kelvin You have our total support and backing
Alan said: “There is a time and a place for being provocative but I do not believe that this is one of them.”
I’d contend that it’s always time to be provocative!
Kenny said earlier: “It seems as if +Gene is the only bishop to be invited to preach AND celebrate at St Mary’s!”
Not so. Other bishops from furth of these shores (both North American and Nigerian) have been asked to preach and/or celebrate in St Mary’s by me. Not everyone who is invited to celebrate choses to take up the offer.
I think it is the case that St Mary’s has given hospitality to more African bishops in the last year than any other bishops, but I would have to look at past rotas and diaries to be absolutely sure.
I’m sure this is true, Kelvin, and I don’t doubt open invitations to all sorts of folk. We are a very welcoming city, after all. It’s the timing I was doubting as being wise. No doubt the Canadian Primate is preaching at Evensong, and that is why he is not celebrating?
I am delighted that Gene is coming to preach here in Glasgow! God’s kingdom belongs to everyone, but as someone once said – The last shall be first and the first, last. Shame, shame, shame on Rowan for not inviting Gene to Lambeth. His, and the Conference’s loss, our joyous gain.
In responce to James Murray’s post: If the words and actions of good and holy people are not responding to the needs of each human person and to the inclusive Kingdom of God that is breaking through within and around us; then, how exactly can there ‘holiness’ not be challenged? Holiness should be synonomous with radical, compassionate, unapologeitc love of all and not with follwing rules and dogmas unquestionally even though they may have no appreciation of the human condition.
Okay, rant over…sorry. I’m tired; but still really pleased about Gene coming to St Mary’s!
I am astounded that you would invite Gene Robinson in view of his attitude toward the authority of Scripture. We do not bless adultery and we do not belss pedophelia because it is contrary to God’s Word. So is homosexual activity whether monogamous or otherwise. This is NOT discrimination as we are all sinners and called to repentence. We are not called to rejoice in our sin and thus “spit in God’s face”.
With your attitude, the Anglican Communion cannot possibly hold together as a church of Christ. We are not called to promote “political correctness” but we are called to repentence.
I was both thrilled – really excited – when directed to this website/blog and immensely proud to be a Scottish Episcopalian. At a time when the American Episcopal Church is suffering attacks both internally and externally – often for its pastoral support for those cast out and rejected by elements within both society and various church traditions it is greatly heartening to see this act of solidarity. And not least for the support it gives to Bishop Robinson in the face of the terrible decision by Rowan Williams not to invite him – and him alone – to Lambeth.
Thank you for extending this invitation, which will be taken as a sign of the welcoming and inclusive ethos of the SEC by many progressives and pluralists. And, of course, it has to be now: “If not now, when?”
Kenny – My memory is that the Canadian Primate will be at the 10:30 Eucharist, with a number of bishops at the 18:30 Evensong. Kelvin will no doubt clarify
Quite right Stewart.
And I repeat that not everyone who has been invited to celebrate in St Mary’s has taken up the offer but I will not be spelling out who has been invited to do what.