Archbishop of Canterbury Makes Historic First Visit to Diocese of Texas
Episcopal News Service. July 22, 2002 [2002-181]
Thomas Blanton, Assistant Editor of the Texas Episcopalian, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Texas
(ENS) "Bless the Diocese of Texas," said Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, commissioning a crowd of more than 2,000 Episcopalians during a celebratory Eucharist at the Hobby Center for Performing Arts in Houston, Texas, on July 19. "Make it strong. May it reach out in loving sacrifice and service to so many needy people."
The Eucharist marked the conclusion of Carey's three-day visit to the Diocese of Texas, the first time an archbishop of Canterbury has ever toured the diocese. According to Carey, Texas bishop Claude E. Payne invited him to visit the diocese before Caredy's retirement this fall, to witness the achievements of the diocesan vision of "Maintenance to Mission." In his comments, Caey said, "Some very good work is going on here. Already one senses that this diocese has a very good heart."
Although Carey came by invitation, he noted that the visit itself was not a private one and realized that his presence could inspire the individuals with whom he interacted during his stay. "Very often we focus on the local, but we do not have an international perspective," Carey said. "If I can bring that in, if I can encourage [Episcopalians] in their own ministry to be much more confident in their faith and much more outward looking in their attitude and mission, if I can achieve that--excellent."
A Texas welcome
Carey's visit began on July 17, where he appeared at Christ Church Cathedral for a breakfast meeting with Houston business leaders, followed by a brief dialog with ecumenical leaders from the Houston area. Carey then preached the sermon at a noon Eucharist at the cathedral.
Sonia Bernard, a member of the cathedral and a nurse at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, was one of the attendees of the noon Eucharist. She felt that this was the only time she would have the chance to see Carey in person." But she added that Carey "reminded us to find that faith and love amidst all the adversity."
Thomas Puckett, another member of the cathedral who commented on Carey's sermon, said that he was always impressed with how alike Episcopalians and Anglicans are. He is extremely slick, in the best possible way. He knows just what to say to his audience."
The next day Carey and his party journeyed to Camp Allen, the diocesan camp center outside of Houston. In addition to visiting the campsites and other facilities, Carey met with both diocesan clergy and later with lay leaders, addressing both issues facing the church and the concerns and questions of his audiences.
"I was interested to see what he had to say, particularly as our global church is in a bit of confusion," said Rusty Meyers, a small group leader and bishop's committee member at St. Barnabas' in Austin. "I got the impression that we, in this diocese, are pretty much in line with his way of thinking, and that he's encouraging us to keep doing what we're doing."
Kat Zagrodzky, a representative of the Episcopal Scout Association, came out to Camp Allen specifically to welcome Carey to Texas, but felt that she was able to take some of Carey's wisdom with her after the laity meeting. "I feel privileged for having just been in the room with him, getting to hear personally his points on how to go out and grow the church," she said. "He is behind us on that."
Barbecue and boots
During Carey's meeting with clergy, Eileen Carey held a dialog with clergy spouses, where she offered insights and encouragement based on her own experiences as the wife of a prominent religious leader.
At a Texas-style barbeque dinner that night, held in the campground's cavernous All Saints' Chapel, Payne presented the Careys with several gifts, including a donation of $50,000 from the Church Corporation and hand-made cowboy boots created by local artisan Sal Maida, bearing the Anglican Communion's Compass Rose insignia. Carey attempted to try the boots on, but not being accustomed to traditional Texas footwear, he was unsuccessful. "Now I know why Texans ride horses," he quipped to the amused audience. "You've got to walk in these boots."
Friday morning and the last day of his visit, Carey made a stop at the Waystation, a homeless outreach ministry at Palmer Memorial in Houston that offers breakfast and church services to the Houston homeless population seven days a week. Carey was given a brief tour of the ministry, based in the church's lush courtyard, before he broke off from his entourage and wandered among the more than 200 Waystation clients, shaking hands, introducing himself and listening to their stories.
After leaving Palmer, Carey traveled down the street to St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, where he met with the hospital administration and visited with several patients.
At noon, Carey appeared for a luncheon in the new Crum Field House at Episcopal High School, where he made opening remarks in front of a pep rally-style banner reading, "Welcome Archbishop of Canterbury" in bold, blue letters. Balloon bouquets festooned the tables, and a multicolored balloon arch spanned the stage.
After lunch, Carey met with diocesan youth of all ages in the school's band hall, where he answered their questions (one of his favorite bands is U2, he said, responding to one question that asked his preferred kinds of music), encouraged open conversation between himself and his young audience, and spoke of the necessity of active youth within the Church. "Christianity started as a youth movement," he said. "Jesus would've only been about 30, and his followers were young. Young people matter to God."
Bryan Bagley, a member of the Episcopal Student Center at Texas A&M University, was drawn to the event not only because of its historic significance, but also because of Carey's renowned "down-to-earth" nature and approachability. "It's like your favorite uncle is visiting," Bagley said. "You've got to come see him."
God's natural family
Carey's visit concluded with a celebratory Eucharist at the new Hobby Center in downtown Houston. A brass quintet greeted participants as they converged in Sarofim Hall of the Hobby Center where the stage was decorated with a baptismal theme. Abstract images of cool, flowing water hung from the lectern and covered the altar, and a scrim painted with similar designs separated the stage proper from the 250-member choir, comprised of vocalists from around the diocese. Additionally, a bell choir and another brass quintet enhanced the vocal performances. According to the Rev. Paul Fromberg, rector of St. Andrew's in Houston, who helped organize the music for the Eucharist, only hymns and anthems by American composers were sung.
The baptismal font itself, a clear Lucite bowl lit from above to symbolize living water, was placed prominently on stage across from the lectern. In keeping with the theme of the event, Carey, following his sermon, called upon the congregation to renew baptismal vows in order to continue being viable, active and needed members of the body of the Church.
The venue was almost filled with the more than 2,000-member congregation that turned out to hear Carey's final sermon to the Diocese of Texas, in which he encouraged Episcopalians to pull together and remain a whole entity, despite internal problems or outside difficulties. "The church is a community of the unlike-minded," Carey said, comparing a congregation to a family. "You didn't choose your family, and you didn't choose the people you worship with. One chooses one's friends, but God gives who sits next to you at church, and we have to put up with one another, because we're God's natural family, making a world of difference."
During the service, bishop coadjutor-elect Don Wimberly repeated sentiments he'd expressed earlier at Camp Allen, thanking both Careys for their visit, commending them on their unflagging faith and dedication to the worldwide Anglican Communion. "The Careys are two gracious, grace-filled children of God," he said. "Don't they make you proud to be Anglican?"