February 4 - London
February 4 – London
Today we began the day with Morning Prayer at the hotel, and then by minibus for our meetings at Lambeth Palace, the offices of the Archbishop of Canterbury. While ELCA Bishop Hanson was meeting with the Archbishop, Rowan Williams, we toured Lambeth (which is directly across the Thames River from Parliament and Big Ben,) including a restored chapel from the original building which dates to 1197. That is WAAY OLD. Beautiful, hewn stone and a number of wonderful pieces of art. We all especially liked the story of one former Archbishop of Canterbury, who had brought his pet tortoise and cat to Lambeth. Unfortunately, the gardener discovered the tortoise one day in the garden, and, not knowing to whom it belonged, made short work of it. The tortoise’s remains are preserved in a glass case below the portrait of that particular archbishop.
We then had a moment to share tea with the Archbishop himself and he greeted each of us personally.
Then we went to lunch at a pub recommended by a man on the street. It was called The Iron Cross, and the special of the day was (you guessed it) Fish and Chips! Apparently the green movement has come to England, because this is the first time I’ve ever had fish and chips that included peas on the plate. A whole new taste sensation. AND I got my veggies for today.
On then, to the Anglican Consultative Office where we spent the rest of the afternoon in lively discussion with some of the staff there. These folks work with the Anglican Communion, which includes the Church of England, the Episcopal Church in America, and many other Anglican church expressions around the world. Tomorrow we will meet with representatives of the Church of England (one of the churches IN the Anglican Communion) at Westminster Abbey.
We finished up our night with Evening Prayer in the chapel of what had been until recently a convent, then a dinner hosted by the Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council and our return to the hotel enjoying a wild ride on the Tube, London’s underground rail system. A good day, and I learned so much about the differences and similarities of our two churches. It is amazing to see the Body of Christ expressed in a whole different, and yet truly similar way. As always, I’m impressed with God’s people – all unique and yet One in Christ.