wfn.org | Teleconference extends Griswolds conversation with the church

[Daphne Mack <dmack@dfms.org>]

topic: Teleconference extends Griswolds conversation with church

99-2284D

 (ENS) A year to the date since he was invested as the 25th 
presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church-and on the very same 
place in the crossing at Washington National Cathedral-Frank 
Griswold pulled up a chair and continued his conversation with 
church members.

The presiding bishop said in his introduction that he had 
been struck by the effectiveness of the telecast of his 
investiture and how "people felt connected," inviting "a richer 
and deeper sense of who we are as church."

Describing his first year in office as "an incredible 
one," Griswold took his wide-flung audience on a whirlwind video 
tour of that year, through a conference of young clergy and 
meetings of the Executive Council and Trinity Institute, to the 
Middle East for a pastoral visit and to a soup kitchen in New York 
City, images of what he called "a year rich in new experiences."

Griswold repeated comments from his sermon that morning at 
the cathedral. "What I have encountered everywhere I have gone is 
faithfulness and generosity of spirit and a deep desire for the 
Episcopal Church to manifest in all aspects of its life the mind 
and heart of the risen Christ." He said that he has been 
impressed with his discovery of "a capacity to honor and respect 
diversity." The church, he said, has "a vast center," representing a 
variety of perspectives.

The first question from the audience that filled the 
cathedral or watched from 136 downlink sites across the nation was 
about Griswold's recent participation in a conference for younger 
clergy. Initiative for the conference came from those who were 
moved to action when they discovered that there were fewer than 
300 clergy under the age of 35 in the Episcopal Church. The 
presiding bishop cited the capacity of participants for accepting 
diversity while expressing themselves with passion as a model for 
the rest of the church. He also suggested that the church actively 
seek good candidates for the ministry.

A caller from Michigan asked what church members should do 
in a world marked by an ambivalent spirituality. Griswold 
responded by saying that the church often seems to be an 
association of external activities that don't address issues of 
the heart. The church should address the deep spiritual yearnings 
of many people, inviting them to come and share the deeper 
mysteries and realities of the sacramental life. And the church 
should not be shy about the depth of its faith.

When asked how he protects his own spiritual life, Griswold 
described his efforts to stay personally centered. He said that he 
depends on the traditional spiritual disciplines, such as the 
daily office and, when possible, the daily Eucharist at the Church 
Center. And he is learning, and encouraged others, to "sit loose 
with your own plans and don't judge yourself when things don't go 
right. Accept life as a mystery full of surprises," he said.

In his concluding comments, Griswold repeated a theme that 
has become a cornerstone of his ministry, encouraging church 
members to embrace conversation that makes room for the other, 
even though the discipline can be difficult. "Look for the things 
that we share" because "listening takes us to that deep place and 
leads us to conversation and a deeper sense of communion.. where 
we discover truth."

Episcopal News Service
Kathryn McCormick
(212) 922-5383
kmccormick@dfms.org
www.ecusa.anglican.org/ens