On Day 2 of the Conference, the Bishops and Spouses spent a day on retreat, studying the bible and preparing for the discussions to come.

Bishop Keith Riglin (Argyll & The Isles) reflected on the retreat, adding: “I’m appreciating immensely the privilege to attend, to reflect together, as well as being able to share something of the life, ministry, and mission of Argyll and The Isles.”

Bishop Kevin Pearson (Glasgow & Galloway) reported that: “Conference work begins on Saturday in plenary sessions and groups. There is a great feeling of prayer and walking amidst much diversity and difference.”

Bishop Mark Strange (Moray, Ross & Caithness; Primus) also reflected on the retreat, noting the presentations from Prebendary Dr Isabelle Hamley on 1 Peter 1, and the Rev Dr Paul Swarup from the Church of North India, on 1 Peter 2 1-12. He shared that in the evening he and Jane, his spouse had “attended a dinner hosted by the Virginia Theological Seminary. We heard of their plans and I spoke to a number of theologians about shared resources and a thoughtful discussion on the reparations programme being run by the seminary.”

Bishop Ian Paton (St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane) shared his thoughts on the third presentation, “a challenging address from Prof Esther Mombo (of Kenya, and once a member of the SEC): ‘We should recognise … our complicity in perpetuating the spread of the virus of hegemony in all its manifestations: racial injustice, capitalism and economic inequalities, and sexual and gender based violence, to name but a few … The world is waiting and watching. They wait expectantly for a Church that looks like the faith it professes.’”

Bishop Anne Dyer (Aberdeen & Orkney) reported that she had met up with Bishop June Osborne, (Llandaff, Church in Wales) Bishop Viv Faull, (Bristol, Church of England) Bishop Gerry Wolf, (Rhode Island, the Episcopal Church, USA) and Bishop Cherry Vann (Monmouth, Church in Wales).  She recalled: “At the 1998 Lambeth Conference, the ‘Dean’s of Women’s Ministry’ in English Dioceses were invited to a lunch with the very first women bishops. As deans, Bishop June and Bishop Viv and I attended, and met Bishop Gerry for the first time. Bishop Gerry was in that first group of eleven bishops, the second woman to be elected a diocesan bishop – this is her third Lambeth!”

Bishop John Armes (Edinburgh) spoke about meeting up after many years with the Bishop of Cape Coast: “The great joy of the day was to meet Bishop Victor, of Cape Coast, our linked diocese. Bishop Victor and I haven’t met for over five years so it was reassuring to find an immediate rapport. He is deeply involved in working across African Provinces seeking greater understanding and reconciliation where friendship is broken. I haven’t had the chance yet to ask him about the ‘hole’ in our collective bucket, what’s broken and whether it can be repaired. That’s something for tomorrow. ” He shared that the Bishops “ended the day with a lovely, quiet service of Night Prayer, led by the young adults of the Community of St Anselm.”

Bishop Andrew Swift (Brechin) published a photograph of his spouse, Mary, and himself in black, as part of the World Council of Churches’ Thursdays in Black campaign – a global movement for a world without rape and violence.

Video footage from 28 July

Produced by the team at the Lambeth Conference:

29 July

Today the Bishops and Spouses will finish their two-day retreat and prepare for the business and discussions to begin. The Bishops will hear addresses from Dr Paulo Ueti, TEAC and the Anglican Alliance, Brazil and the Rev Canon Jenn Strawbridge, Associate Professor in New Testament Studies at Oxford University, UK. The Spouses’ Retreat will explore what it means to be ‘Called by Name’ and ‘Known and Loved’. Canon Paula Gooder, from St Paul’s Cathedral, England will speak on 1 Peter 2: 9-10.

At 8pm the Archbishop of Canterbury will make his first keynote speech on the theme of ‘God’s Church for God’s World.’  This can be watched live here.