The Hospitality Initiative

[PHOTO LEFT: Bishop Duncan, Kathy, and Fr.Ray,
outside the rectory of St. Columba's Church,
Liverpool]

[Liverpool, England] As I sit in the quiet of a local retreat center to write this message, Kathy and I are preparing to leave the Diocese of Liverpool in England, and journey with twelve other bishops and their spouses from around the Anglican Communion to Canterbury, England, for the Lambeth Conference. Our time in Liverpool has been full. We have visited Churches, schools, and God's people, both laity and clergy.


I have been and I am impressed with the ministries that have brought the love and power of God's presence to people living in di[Photo]fficult circumstances and situations. This is an Urban Diocese. It is the Church in the City. It is the Gospel proclaimed, the sacraments shared and the faith lived out on the streets and down the roads where people live, work and play. I am impressed and I am moved by the commitment of those who serve and are engaged in ministry. The Hospitality Initiative has given us time to get to know the people here and how they live out their faith and witness to Christ. As it often happens, I am humbled to see those who have few resources sharing what they have to help others become whom God calls them to be. The Hospitality Initiative has brought togetherbishops in small groups to begin to share our faith with one another and learn from one another. For this holy time and opportunity I am most grateful. For honest and open conversation I am most
pleased. [PHOTO ABOVE RIGHT: Parade! Sunday Children's Service at St. Luke's Church, Farmwell, Liverpool]



As you read this message our travel by coach and our journey to Canterbury will have been made and we will be engaged in the spiritual work and the study in small groups for which the Conference calls us all to be a part. I hope that many of you will be taking part in the daily Bible Study program on the Gospel of St. John. The Archbishop of Canterbury, +Rowan Williams, has asked (invited) the clergy and laity throughout the Anglican Communion to join the bishops in this process of study, learning and prayer. Although separated by many miles and time zones, we can be united in studying and learning what God is calling us to hear and to engage in at this moment in history. That material and web link follows below.
[PHOTO ABOVE LEFT: The Liverpool Anglican Cathedral Tower, the largest completed cathedral in the world]


Archbishop Desmond Tutu prayed: "Deliver me from the cowardice that dare not face new truths, from the laziness that is contented with half truths, from the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth, Good Lord, deliver me!" [IMAGE RIGHT: Poster outside of
International Slavery Museum
on the Albert Docks, Liverpool]


As we begin to engage our work and worship, I ask for your continued prayers. Our Diocese, congregations, agencies, clergy and lay leaders will be in my intentional intercession during the course of each of the three weeks. This time at Canterbury is a faith journey, and as we move forward may God bless us to do his work and his will.



In His love and peace, I am,

Truly Yours,
Bishop Duncan
July 14, 2008