The Big Top

The conference is almost underway. Last evening was the soft welcome to be followed by the opening welcome within the confines of Canterbury Cathedral during the retreat today followed by the official opening welcome on Sunday.

All the bishops, spouses, official guests and staff gathered after an ardous arrival and registration process.

In addition to some buses getting lost between Heathrow and Canterbury, there were insufficient registration packets when some arrived, insufficient bags to hold the various documents and pieces of equipment being parceled out and the list with the Indaba and Bible study groups and their locations wasn't revealed until last evening. Making bad matters worse, there were not enough maps for people to find the venues. All participants were given translation equioment that they stuffed in their pockets along with the thick program booklet.

If I know bishops like I think I know bishops, a lot of equipment is going to be left sitting around because they have far too much to keep up with. According to many, things can only go up from here.

The main gathering venue has been named The Big Top. Really! Who came up with that name for such a serious gathering place?

The Big Top connotes one thing to me -- Ringling Brothers.