Today I participated at the Bishops' Seminar at Rydal Hall. This was a group of about thirty ordained and lay leaders of the Diocese of Carlisle. Bishop Wandag, Bishop Bigirmana, and I made brief presentations on the theme: "Theological views from across the continents - how do we interpret and apply the gospel in our particular cultural contexts?"   The biblical focus was John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly." Bishop Dow and Bishop James from the Diocese of Carlisle each made a response. 

Bishop Bigirmana spoke of the flesh and blood presentation of the Gospel in the aftermath of the civil war in Burundi. Bishop Wandag spoke of the poverty in the Philippines and the necessary partnerships for mission they required including Episcopal Relief and Development. I spoke about the demographic and cultural extremes in Southwest Florida including the wealthy and the Haitian population concerns. There were expressed shared concerns from the participants regarding the poor, the young, materialism, and the need to express life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ in various and complex cultural contexts. One statement from Bishop Wandag I found particularly moving. "How do you tell someone they are the salt of the earth when they don't know what salt is?" 

The diocesan fellowship and hospitality was refreshing, thoughtful, and helpful. I came away with a larger sense of mission perspective, shared purpose, and a deeper sense of relationship across the Anglican Communion. I had mentioned in my talk the Men's Ministry approach in Southwest Florida. I was so spiritually moved when that was later lifted up in prayer as we closed the seminar. After lunch the visiting bishops were asked to plant and dedicate a new tree on the grounds of Rydal, the Diocesan conference center. This was to commemorate the occasion of our pre-Lambeth Conference gathering. 

Today was a wonderful blessing of shared concerns and holy relationship with each other through Christ. Tomorrow we all journey to Canterbury.