Down and Dromore delegates enjoy a spiritual and empowering Albany Convention
Thirteen delegates from the Diocese of Down and Dromore attended the recent annual Convention of the Diocese of Albany in the beautiful setting of the Camp of the Woods in the Adirondack mountains in upstate New York.
This was a special year as Albany is celebrating its 150th Anniversary, having been created as a Diocese in 1868. The theme for the Convention was taken from Hebrews 13: 8 – Jesus Christ, “The same yesterday, today and tomorrow .
The principal guest was The Most Reverend Michael Curry, the Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church. The Bishop of Albany, Bishop Bill Love, assured everyone that he had invited Bishop Curry long before his newly acquired notoriety following the Royal wedding!
There were several inspirational services, the main ones being the Convention Eucharist where Bishop Curry gave a lively sermon and the Youth Mass which ended the Convention. Each of these services lasted over two and a half hours! The combined offering at the two services was over $22,000 dollars to be used for youth work in the Diocese of Albany and overseas development.
As always, the Down and Dromore delegation took an active part in the convention. Revd Adrian Green from Mount Merrion Parish led the Morning Prayer service on Saturday and Bishop Harold was the preacher at Morning Prayer on Sunday, as well as chairing a plenary session of all the Bishops attending Convention.
Three of the team from Down and Dromore led workshops at various times over the weekend: Linda Abwa from CMS Ireland spoke about partnering with the Global Church and the importance of mission; June Butler, Mothers’ Union Diocesan President, introduced those at her seminars to the work of MU and spoke about her attendance at the UN Commission on the Status of Women; and Bishop Harold led his attendees through the development of strategic thinking using Nehemiah 2.
It was a wonderfully spiritual and empowering weekend for all 1000 delegates, blessed by meeting colleagues, renewing old friendships, making new ones, and all in a tranquil and sun–filled environment.
With thanks to June Butler