wfn.org | Episcopalians: Archbishop of Canterbury makes historic visit to Texas

[dmack@episcopalchurch.org]

July 22, 2002

2002-181

Episcopalians: Archbishop of Canterbury makes historic visit 
to Texas

by Thomas Blanton

(ENS) "Bless the Diocese of Texas," said Archbishop of 
Canterbury George Carey, commissioning a crowd of more than 
2,000 Episcopalians during a celebratory Eucharist at the Hobby 
Center for Performing Arts in Houston, Texas, on July 19.  "Make 
it strong.  May it reach out in loving sacrifice and service to 
so many needy people."

The Eucharist marked the conclusion of Carey's three-day 
visit to the Diocese of Texas, the first time an archbishop of 
Canterbury has ever toured the diocese. According to Carey, 
Texas bishop Claude E. Payne invited him to visit the diocese 
before Caredy's retirement this fall, to witness the 
achievements of the diocesan vision of "Maintenance to Mission." 
In his comments, Caey said, "Some very good work is going on 
here. Already one senses that this diocese has a very good 
heart."

Although Carey came by invitation, he noted that the visit 
itself was not a private one and realized that his presence 
could inspire the individuals with whom he interacted during his 
stay. "Very often we focus on the local, but we do not have an 
international perspective," Carey said.  "If I can bring that 
in, if I can encourage [Episcopalians] in their own ministry to 
be much more confident in their faith and much more outward 
looking in their attitude and mission, if I can achieve 
that--excellent."

A Texas welcome

Carey's visit began on July 17, where he appeared at Christ 
Church Cathedral for a breakfast meeting with Houston business 
leaders, followed by a brief dialog with ecumenical leaders from 
the Houston area.  Carey then preached the sermon at a noon 
Eucharist at the cathedral.

Sonia Bernard, a member of the cathedral and a nurse at St. 
Luke's Episcopal Hospital, was one of the attendees of the noon 
Eucharist.  She felt that this was the only time she would have 
the chance to see Carey in person." But she added that Carey 
"reminded us to find that faith and love amidst all the 
adversity."

Thomas Puckett, another member of the cathedral who commented 
on Carey's sermon, said that he was always impressed with how 
alike Episcopalians and Anglicans are. He is extremely slick, in 
the best possible way.  He knows just what to say to his 
audience."

The next day Carey and his party journeyed to Camp Allen, the 
diocesan camp center outside of Houston.  In addition to 
visiting the campsites and other facilities, Carey met with both 
diocesan clergy and later with lay leaders, addressing both 
issues facing the church and the concerns and questions of his 
audiences.

"I was interested to see what he had to say, particularly as 
our global church is in a bit of confusion," said Rusty Meyers, 
a small group leader and bishop's committee member at St. 
Barnabas' in Austin.  "I got the impression that we, in this 
diocese, are pretty much in line with his way of thinking, and 
that he's encouraging us to keep doing what we're doing." 

Kat Zagrodzky, a representative of the Episcopal Scout 
Association, came out to Camp Allen specifically to welcome 
Carey to Texas, but felt that she was able to take some of 
Carey's wisdom with her after the laity meeting.  "I feel 
privileged for having just been in the room with him, getting to 
hear personally his points on how to go out and grow the 
church," she said.  "He is behind us on that."

Barbecue and boots

During Carey's meeting with clergy, Eileen Carey held a dialog 
with clergy spouses, where she offered insights and 
encouragement based on her own experiences as the wife of a 
prominent religious leader.

At a Texas-style barbeque dinner that night, held in the 
campground's cavernous All Saints' Chapel, Payne presented the 
Careys with several gifts, including a donation of $50,000 from 
the Church Corporation and hand-made cowboy boots created by 
local artisan Sal Maida, bearing the Anglican Communion's 
Compass Rose insignia. Carey attempted to try the boots on, but 
not being accustomed to traditional Texas footwear, he was 
unsuccessful. "Now I know why Texans ride horses," he quipped to 
the amused audience.  "You've got to walk in these boots."

Friday morning and the last day of his visit, Carey made a stop 
at the Waystation, a homeless outreach ministry at Palmer 
Memorial in Houston that offers breakfast and church services to 
the Houston homeless population seven days a week.  Carey was 
given a brief tour of the ministry, based in the church's lush 
courtyard, before he broke off from his entourage and wandered 
among the more than 200 Waystation clients, shaking hands, 
introducing himself and listening to their stories.

After leaving Palmer, Carey traveled down the street to St. 
Luke's Episcopal Hospital, where he met with the hospital 
administration and visited with several patients.

At noon, Carey appeared for a luncheon in the new Crum Field 
House at Episcopal High School, where he made opening remarks in 
front of a pep rally-style banner reading, "Welcome Archbishop 
of Canterbury" in bold, blue letters.  Balloon bouquets 
festooned the tables, and a multicolored balloon arch spanned 
the stage. 

After lunch, Carey met with diocesan youth of all ages in the 
school's band hall, where he answered their questions (one of 
his favorite bands is U2, he said, responding to one question 
that asked his preferred kinds of music), encouraged open 
conversation between himself and his young audience, and spoke 
of the necessity of active youth within the Church. 
"Christianity started as a youth movement," he said.  "Jesus 
would've only been about 30, and his followers were young.  
Young people matter to God."

Bryan Bagley, a member of the Episcopal Student Center at 
Texas A&M University, was drawn to the event not only because of 
its historic significance, but also because of Carey's renowned 
"down-to-earth" nature and approachability.  "It's like your 
favorite uncle is visiting," Bagley said.  "You've got to come 
see him."

God's natural family

Carey's visit concluded with a celebratory Eucharist at the new 
Hobby Center in downtown Houston.  A brass quintet greeted 
participants as they converged in Sarofim Hall of the Hobby 
Center where the stage was decorated with a baptismal theme.  
Abstract images of cool, flowing water hung from the lectern and 
covered the altar, and a scrim painted with similar designs 
separated the stage proper from the 250-member choir, comprised 
of vocalists from around the diocese.  Additionally, a bell 
choir and another brass quintet enhanced the vocal performances. 
 According to the Rev. Paul Fromberg, rector of St. Andrew's in 
Houston, who helped organize the music for the Eucharist, only 
hymns and anthems by American composers were sung.

The baptismal font itself, a clear Lucite bowl lit from above 
to symbolize living water, was placed prominently on stage 
across from the lectern.  In keeping with the theme of the 
event, Carey, following his sermon, called upon the congregation 
to renew baptismal vows in order to continue being viable, 
active and needed members of the body of the Church.

The venue was almost filled with the more than 2,000-member 
congregation that turned out to hear Carey's final sermon to the 
Diocese of Texas, in which he encouraged Episcopalians to pull 
together and remain a whole entity, despite internal problems or 
outside difficulties. "The church is a community of the 
unlike-minded," Carey said, comparing a congregation to a 
family.  "You didn't choose your family, and you didn't choose 
the people you worship with.  One chooses one's friends, but God 
gives who sits next to you at church, and we have to put up with 
one another, because we're God's natural family, making a world 
of difference."

During the service, bishop coadjutor-elect Don Wimberly 
repeated sentiments he'd expressed earlier at Camp Allen, 
thanking both Careys for their visit, commending them on their 
unflagging faith and dedication to the worldwide Anglican 
Communion. "The Careys are two gracious, grace-filled children 
of God," he said.  "Don't they make you proud to be Anglican?"

------

--Thomas Blanton is assistant editor of the Texas Episcopalian, 
the official newspaper of the Diocese of Texas.