Sixteen of us gathered on Saturday, March 19th ("Palm Saturday") from 2:00 to 6:00 pm to study the Windsor Report and its context within the Anglican Communion. It was an exciting and spiritual time for all of us culminating in a moving Eucharist service that Manny and Barbara conducted using the Iona prayer book. Humor, as always, had its part in our discussion. After one participant had pointed out that the Windsor Report called for a mini-Pope, another participant proposed that we form a group to push for Manny's election as the mini-Pope. Manny responded with the classic plaint of politicians everywhere who secretly want to be elected, "If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve."
The group followed the process outlined by the Right Reverend Steve Charleston in the Middle Way as a template to study the report and it proved fruitful. [The Windsor Report, an imagined conversation with Ian Douglass (which describes the workings of the Anglican Communion), The Middle Way, and the notes of the study group can all be found on St. Peter's website under …]
Saturday evening I came across the following prayer which I think is peculiarly appropriate to the Episcopal Church in these times:
Almighty and everlasting God, who alone workest great marvels, send down upon our Bishops and Clergy, and all Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy Grace; and that they may truly please the, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ.
