On November 12, 2008, the Church Club will host the Rt. Rev. Mark Sisk, bishop of New York, speaking about "The Church After Lambeth."
Church of the Ascension
12 W 11th Street
at Fifth Avenue
6:00 Reception
6:45 Bishop Sisk’s Remarks
Tickets are $35. RSVP by phone (212-828-7418) or email.
The historic gathering of the world’s Anglican bishops at the Lambeth Conference in Britain in July of 2008 was marked by controversy and confusion. Some 210 bishops boycotted the ten-yearly gathering in protest over the Episcopal Church’s stand on homosexuality, and the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire -- an openly gay bishop -- was not invited.
The archbishop of Canterbury lamented what he called the “climate of controversy,” acknowledging that the split between the two camps was not likely to be solved at the conference but was hopeful that Anglican unity would be preserved.
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, wrote that “the Anglican Communion’s present reality reflects a struggle to grow into a new level of maturity, like that of adult siblings in a much-conflicted family. As we continue to wrestle, sufficient space and respect for the differing gifts of the siblings just might lead to greater maturity in relationship.”
Speaking at the end of the Lambeth Conference, Bishop Sisk said he realized how difficult a conversation about homosexuality is in some cultures and contexts and that continuing this conversation is going to be a serious challenge.
But he added that in church, “there is only us and not a them and us” and that the roles of gay and lesbian people have been “affirmed time and time again.”
He said one bishop in his group talked about how important it is for families to have standards, “but I said that you stick together, even if you disagree.”
