About 600 spouses of Anglican bishops, mostly women but including 16 men, are holding their own Spouses’ Conference at Lambeth in England.

 

The spouses are taking part in many events with their husbands and wives, including a march through London in support of the United Nations’ Millennium Goals, but there are separate sessions for the spouses most days of the meeting of the world’s Anglican bishops, July 16 through August 3.

The spouses are engaged in Bible study, workshops, plenary sessions, and worship. Topics include family, married life, having a vocation, environmental issue, peacemaking, equality, and spiritual and physical health.

Gwen Ingham, wife of Bishop of New Westminster Michael Ingham, credits Jane Williams, wife of the Archbishop of Canterbury, with organizing a stimulating meeting.

“The highlight for me at Lambeth is the faith I receive from my sisters in vastly different communities from that in Vancouver,” she says in an audio report.

“The music is truly wonderful. I hope to share it with you when I return,” she added.

Gwen Ingham was particularly impressed by the march in favour of the UN Millennium Goals. “It was important for me to see the bishops working together toward a common goal.”

Bishop Ingham has also sent several audio reports back to the diocese. They are available, along with the report from Gwen Ingham, on a website page which can be visited by clicking here.