July 20, 2008
Dear Friends:
Today we celebrated an unforgettable, glorious Eucharist at Canterbury Cathedral. Several languages and music from many cultures were incorporated in this act of worship, from traditional polyphony by the Boys’ and Men’s choir to the drums and dancing of Melanesia. The preacher, Bishop Duleep de Chickera of Sri Lanka, reminded us that bishops bring their dioceses with them to the Lambeth Conference.
Not only were you in my thoughts and prayers today, but as an outward sign of this reality I wore the pipestone pectoral cross presented to me at my consecration as bishop and a tippet belonging to Bishop Emery and worn by his successors. On the tippet were two crests: one of the Diocese of North Dakota and the other the Compass Rose of the Anglican Communion. (Special thanks to Dean Steve Sellers who provided the new diocesan seals and to Deacon Terry Overbo who sewed them on.)
Our retreat now ended, we begin the work of the Lambeth Conference. Topics for reflection and discussion in the weeks ahead include Anglican Identity, Evangelism, Social Justice, Ecumenism, Environment, Non-Christian Faiths, Bible in Mission, Human Sexuality, Anglican Covenant and Windsor Process.
The bible study groups will continue studying the Gospel of John. As a sign of solidarity with us, the Archbishop of Canterbury has provided a set of seven bible studies which can be used by individuals or groups at home. They can be accessed from the Diocesan website: http://episcopal-nd.org/index.php?action=page_manager_view_single&page_id=3
New this week will be the daily “Indaba” groups of 40 bishops each. Indaba is a Zulu concept used when a village is in crisis. The community is called together to share their concerns, wisdom and ideas about decisions the community should make. From these groups daily reports on the various topics will be made to be incorporated in the reflection paper to be released at the Conference’s conclusion.
Please continue to keep me and this Conference in your prayers as you are in mine. I am
Yours in Christ,
+Michael
About the Bishop
- +Michael Smith
- The Rt. Rev. Michael G. Smith was elected the eleventh bishop of North Dakota in 2004. An enrolled member of the Potawatomi Nation of Oklahoma, he served churches in Oklahoma and Minnesota before coming to North Dakota. He is Chair of the Executive Council's Committee on Indigenous Ministries. Smith and his wife, the Rev. Lisa White Smith, are the parents of three grown children and the grandparents of three grandsons. He holds degrees in psychology, music, social work and theology from Oklahoma State University, Marymount College of Kansas, the University of Oklahoma and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. He is currently working on a Doctor of Ministry degree in preaching through Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis. Bishop Michael places a high priority on the baptismal ministries of all the people of God, evangelism, youth ministry, the diaconate, Benedictine spirituality, preaching and theological education. His desire is that each of the congregations of the Diocese of North Dakota becomes a "community of disciples who make other disciples." As a Communion Partner bishop, he works and advocates for the adoption of the Anglican Communion Covenant.