The role of a Lambeth Steward
Samuel Dow, Lambeth Conference volunteer, with his steward's bicycle. Photo Samuel Dow
Samuel Dow with Archbishop Rowan Williams at St Augustine's Abbey, Kent. Photo Samuel Dow
Samuel Dow enjoyed the challenges of being part of a huge international event.
Last year I applied to represent the Diocese of Tasmania as a provincial steward for the Lambeth Conference. I spent a few weeks travelling in the UK before making my way to Canterbury where I was joined by Ashley Dewell from the Diocese of Adelaide.
The two of us made up the Australian 'youth' representation.
One week before the start of the Conference, we began training. Gathered to assist in the smooth, safe and secure running of the conference were 52 young adults aged from 19 - 35 from across the Anglican Communion. Together we represented 16 countries and nearly 30 languages.
Training consisted of everything from cross-cultural dialogue, first aid, evacuation procedures and security, through to conflict resolution. It was an intense week, but some of the best parts were the team building and our growing together as brothers and sisters in Christ -the future leaders of the church.
We would worship and pray together.
It was encouraging to see many young people with differences in theology, churchmanship and cultural backgrounds coming together as one body. Many were undertaking studies in theology, or entering the discernment process towards ordination and a few were already ordained. During our training we also worshipped and socialised with the chaplaincy team.The chaplains were mostly monks and nuns from 26 Anglican communities around the world.
The majority of these were from the Melanesian Mission, where in 2003 seven of the brothers were martyred in the Solomon Islands.
The chaplaincy team was based in the centre of the conference where they would cover the whole time with prayer and lead Morning Prayer and Compline each day in the prayer place. They also assisted in the main worship services and offered spiritual direction.
When the bishops started to arrive, we were well prepared.High-visibility vests and green lanyards identified us clearly as stewards and delegates were relieved to find assistance.
With over 600 bishops, 500 spouses and a few thousand bags, we managed to get everyone settled reasonably quickly!
Our work varied from ushering people to communion to helping lost bishops! One of our main responsibilities was security. It was interesting to see the precautions that must now be taken at high profile events.
Being present amongst the bishops meant that we were privy to a lot of information. This gave us a wonderful insight into what was happening and where our Anglican Communion fits on a global level.
After listening and speaking with bishops from across the world, I feel that our Communion, despite many changes and upheavals, will continue to grow together. We may never all agree with each other but there is still a positive spirit of unity. The outcomes from the conference (the Windsor Continuation report and the Covenant) seem to be healthy ways of moving forward.
But it was in bringing people together in dialogue under the banner of Christ that the real growth and future seemed to be evident.
I was also impressed by the ecumenical presence.
There were representatives from the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Roman Catholic Church, and other major Christian denominations. I believe that this spirit of working together is an increasing strength in the Christian church.
When the Australian bishops and their spouses all got together there was a spirit of mateship and camaraderie. It gave me such encouragement and pride, not only as an Australian, but an Anglican Australian.
I just cannot speak more highly of the Australian episcopate that was present. Besides, I think the rest of the world needed some Australian humour to lighten things up a little! The best example of that was where our Bishop John and Gayelene stood at the gate of Lambeth Palace and thanked all the delegates for attending the luncheon as they left!
After the conference, we spent the next three days on our own stewards' conference with the Archbishop of Canterbury.
On the first day we talked with the Archbishop in a very casual manner about how the conference went. The second day was spent on a coach trip around Kent on a pilgrimage of St Augustine ending with a Eucharist led by the Archbishop in the ruins of St Augustine's Abbey. Our last day together as stewards was spent at Dover Castle followed that evening by dinner in the Cathedral in Canterbury.
It was sad to leave each other as we had grown closely together over the four weeks in Canterbury, although we have made strong links across the world.
More information, resources including the addresses can be found on the Lambeth Conference website.
Note: At the end of last year after a lot of prayer I decided to leave Tasmania and head back to Sydney to discern my future in ordained ministry. I am currently a postulant for the Diocese of Bathurst and next year I will begin full time studies in Theology at St Mark's Theological Centre in Canberra. I intend to be in Tasmania in November to address some groups about my time in Lambeth. Dates will be announced on the Tasmanian Anglican calendar.
Samuel Dow