First Impressions - AGM and Study Trip 2007

The impact of our first time participating in the 2007 Annual General meeting and Salisbury study trip with the Compass Rose Society was highlighted by the fact this was my first time overseas and Linda’s second European visit since her late teenage years. Our time spent with the CRS converged two distinct worlds for us. One was to experience life in the land where our Anglican tradition began (i.e. St Paul’s Cathedral, Lambeth Palace, and Salisbury Cathedral) - places only previously imagined through the media - and the other to be part of a group where together we hope to make a positive contribution to people in need worldwide. At the epicenter of these two worlds, we met at the Anglican Communion Office in London.

At the meeting we had the privilege to meet other members of the Communion who share our concern for peace and justice in the world. We gathered to learn of the work of the Society over the past year and to discern God’s will for us going forward. There were many good stories to share including our new communications strategy, the Mexico Mission trip and an overview of the Archbishop Rowan Williams’ travels to Angola and New Orleans. Of particular inspiration was the presentation from the Revd Nadim Nassar (from Syria) who reminded us that the center of the Anglican Communion was not politics or biblical interpretation, but our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Our study trip to Salisbury Cathedral was another wonderful opportunity. There we experienced small English town life. Our hosts were gracious and we learned about a number of aspects of a Christian community in existence for almost a millennium; its commitment to excellence in liturgy and music as its Christian witness to the community. The Cathedral was breath taking, particularly during the assent of the spire whilst on tour!

We are thankful for the opportunities afforded by the CRS, particularly for the time to meet and share a meal with Archbishop Rowan Williams in his London home at Lambeth Palace. We met with many good people; shared experiences and take back with us wonderful memories. The CRS not only affords us the opportunity to participate in the life of the global church, but it is also a conduit through which our voice may be heard in the life of the Anglican Communion.

Tom and Linda Fletcher are members of CRS First Canadian Chapter

Anglican Parish of Trinity Aurora, Diocese of Toronto, Canada

http://www.trinityaurora.ca