NH's Bishop Robinson tells of support, resistance at Lambeth
For Trinity Episcopal Church, it was a routine visitation by Bishop Gene Robinson, complete with a liturgical service and coffee in the basement. For Robinson, it was a welcome return home after a major conference for bishops in England where he received both support and resistance.
On Tuesday, Robinson conducted a visitation of Trinity Episcopal Church in Meredith, including officiating a confirmation and reception service for five local people, including four youths.
Robinson recently returned from the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England, an assembly of Anglican bishops that takes place once every 10 years. While he did not attend the conference itself, he enjoyed his time there.
"I think [the trip] accomplished what it set out to do, which was to build relationships." he said, listening to such talks as the "Bishop of Harare tell about what it is like in Zimbabwe. Just the chance to hear what that's like is just amazing."
The presence of Robinson, the church's first openly gay bishop, at the conference was itself the result of struggle and determination. He was not formally invited to this year's conference by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the head of the Anglican Church, though he still attended.
Robinson said he received both resistance and support while in Canterbury. Sentiments included anxiety and concerns he would protest to receiving words of support from a large group of youths
In his sermon, he recalled being told by a reporter, "You seem like the least stressed person here," to which he replied, "You may be right."
"I think that when you act as if you know God's love for you, people notice," Robinson said
In the end, Robinson is happy serving in the churches and with his parishioners in New Hampshire.
"I'm just home, thank you Jesus," Robinson said during the service. "I almost kissed the tarmac when I arrived in Manchester."
At Tuesday's service he preached on the importance of recognizing one's spiritual vocation in everyday life and work. He was also given a pair of purple socks by the Rev. Robin Thomas Soller of Trinity in thanks for his presence.
At the end of the service, he joined parishioners for coffee and conversation in the church basement, having his photo taken with a few parishioners and signing a copy of his book "In the Eye of the Storm."
"This is the favorite part of what I do, being in the basement, eating food that everyone has prepared," he said. "This is where it happens and I'm so pleased to be back to being where I'm just the bishop."
His overall reception in the state has been supportive and positive.
"People are saying, 'We are so glad you're back,'" Robinson said. "Almost everybody says, 'We're so glad you are safe.' It's amazing, and I love these people and for some odd reason they seem to like me."
NH's Bishop Robinson tells of support, resistance at Lambeth
The Citizen, United States
On Tuesday, Robinson conducted a visitation of Trinity Episcopal Church in Meredith, including officiating a confirmation and reception service for five local people, including four youths.
Robinson recently returned from the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England, an assembly of Anglican bishops that takes place once every 10 years. While he did not attend the conference itself, he enjoyed his time there.
"I think [the trip] accomplished what it set out to do, which was to build relationships." he said, listening to such talks as the "Bishop of Harare tell about what it is like in Zimbabwe. Just the chance to hear what that's like is just amazing."
The presence of Robinson, the church's first openly gay bishop, at the conference was itself the result of struggle and determination. He was not formally invited to this year's conference by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the head of the Anglican Church, though he still attended.
Robinson said he received both resistance and support while in Canterbury. Sentiments included anxiety and concerns he would protest to receiving words of support from a large group of youths
In his sermon, he recalled being told by a reporter, "You seem like the least stressed person here," to which he replied, "You may be right."
"I think that when you act as if you know God's love for you, people notice," Robinson said
In the end, Robinson is happy serving in the churches and with his parishioners in New Hampshire.
"I'm just home, thank you Jesus," Robinson said during the service. "I almost kissed the tarmac when I arrived in Manchester."
At Tuesday's service he preached on the importance of recognizing one's spiritual vocation in everyday life and work. He was also given a pair of purple socks by the Rev. Robin Thomas Soller of Trinity in thanks for his presence.
At the end of the service, he joined parishioners for coffee and conversation in the church basement, having his photo taken with a few parishioners and signing a copy of his book "In the Eye of the Storm."
"This is the favorite part of what I do, being in the basement, eating food that everyone has prepared," he said. "This is where it happens and I'm so pleased to be back to being where I'm just the bishop."
His overall reception in the state has been supportive and positive.
"People are saying, 'We are so glad you're back,'" Robinson said. "Almost everybody says, 'We're so glad you are safe.' It's amazing, and I love these people and for some odd reason they seem to like me."
NH's Bishop Robinson tells of support, resistance at Lambeth
The Citizen, United States
posted by Tom Jackson at
8/27/2008 01:38:00 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home