I am here for a reason, after all

Yesterday the conference began, with the usual logistical hiccups, joyful reunions and bemused perusing of maps and handbooks that comes with a conference of this size. There are around 650 bishops and then there are the spouses, the staff offering interpreting, media support, technical support, administrative support, hospitality, and the volunteers and stewards shepherding disoriented pilgrims over the verdant campus of the University of Kent.

While I had been quite nervous, once I got here and the media team made me welcome, I found many faces with whom I was familiar. I've been able to say hello to the Bishop of Jerusalem, Suheil Dawani and his beautiful wife Shafeeqa, who I interviewed this year; I've met Bp Lindsay Urwin who I remember beaming out at me from the Credo tapes, I've introduced myself to about twenty unfamiliar bishops, and I've met the Archbishop of Canterbury... so for day two, I'm not doing too badly!

And of course, there is the usual Aussie contingent who are practically running the show.

Up in the media room, I'm supporting the new media team, where we will be putting together the Lambeth Daily, keeping the news screens updated, and various other internet and intranet related activities. I'm also helping out with some of the external media stuff, joining with the team to report on the vast array of interesting and very international things that are happening here. This afternoon I am doing a brief interview with the ABofC's wife Jane Williams, who has written a book called "Marriage, mitres and being myself". I'm a bit nervous about that although I believe she is quite charming.

From a Diocesan point of view, I am here to help our own Archbishop Freier (and the other bishops) and also to give an Australian perspective on the conference and provide a news service back home.

Last night all the bishops congregated for the welcome. The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke with his usual self deprecatory wit. The singing was rousing, if tinged with a little jet lag.

One of the highlights of the session for me was when the entire gathering was invited to say the Lord's Prayer in their own language. Up rose a beautiful cacophany that made me wonder what Pentecost was like. Then today I chatted to a couple of interpreters over lunch who are dealing with those for whom aspects of the conference will be a considerable struggle because those instructions that are so incomprehensible to all of us at times will be even more so to those who do not speak English.

It struck me that language - foreign language, relational language, healing language - is going to be such an immense part of this conference. Understanding the baggage that comes with the language, the way we hear one another, the intent with which we speak... It seems appropriate that we think about this as the conference focuses on the Bible, the Word of God, the bible studies centering on St John's Gospel. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

I hope I am able to use my words well to proclaim the Word to the world.