Outside The Big Top

One of the great stories of my childhood that my parents loved to tell and embellish each time they told it was about my first trip to the circus. I was about three. On the night before we were to go, they went to a party and the following morning it seemed they had hang overs. But a promise is a promise and we went - they unhappily so - with the thought being let's just get it over with. They took me to all the outside events. I saw the clowns and barkers, got a cotton candy, Daddy won me a Cupie doll and then we went home. They asked did I like the circus and I said I loved it. As far as I knew, I had been to the circus. They kept that ruse going for many years.

When I was about twelve, a friend's parents took us to the circus and we went inside, sat down and saw performances. I went to the real circus in the real big top. I was furious with my parents for deceiving me. I discovered I had only been to the side show. After pouting for as long as my Father would put up with it, my Mother asked didn't you have fun at our circus? In hindsight, I have to admit I did.

The Lambeth Conference for me is a little bit like that story. Several diocesan communicators, me among them, have been denied media credentials. We all learned of our turn down either after or upon arrival here or enroute. Upon getting the email, I assumed an adult version of a twelve year old pout.

Our diocese, mainly because of Bishop Walker, has been so supportive of the Conference, the Compass Rose Society and the ministry of the Archbishop of Canterbury. We have even provided the resources for the program chair, Archbishop Pogo of Melanesia, to purchase the computer upon which this conference was planned. While I felt the decision was an insult to the Diocese of Long Island and still do, I am out of my pout. Like my Father, Bishop doesn't tolerate pout too well.

I have been outside of The Big Top before and made the best of it. Had fun and didn't know I wasn't having the best possible time. I am looking forward to joining with the other diocesan communicators who will join me as we join Bishop Robinson to make the most of the side show and carry the flag outside The Big Top.