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Signs of God's Presence in the World

Diocesan Press Service. April 24, 1973 [73103]

BERCHTESGADEN, West Germany -- "Signs of God's Presence in the World " was the topic when 300 military and civilian Episcopalians from throughout Europe participated in the 19th annual Berchtesgaden Conference from April 2 - 6 here.

The event was sponsored by Bishop Clarence Hobgood, Episcopal bishop for the Armed Forces, and it was led by the Rev. Canon William A. Johnson, Ph.D., who is professor of Christian Thought at Brandeis University, Waltham, Mass., and Canon Theologian at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.

Every Episcopal chaplain in Europe attended the conference as well as many civilian clergy and lay people from Episcopal congregations in Germany and Bishop Edmond L. Browning who is in charge of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe. About 40 children participated in Christian education and recreational activities and an infant nursery operated throughout the meeting.

Dr. Johnson organized his lectures around three points: God's presence in the kingdom, God revealed through the church and the revelation of God through persons. He said it is possible to re-discover the presence and power of God in human life and human history, but cautioned that one needs to "look for the power and presence of God in the right places."

The conference leader invited all clergy and lay people present into full participation in the meeting. "We shouldn't fall into the error of having only one person proclaiming the truth," he said. "There are many theologians here -- some are clergy and some are not. This conference is a project in which all should be involved."

Those present followed the advice of the conference leader by participating in small-group discussions and a number of personal conferences.

According to Dr. Johnson the conference was designed as more than an "intellectual exercise " and he said it would hopefully touch the heart as well as the mind. He said Episcopalians might best find out about the theology and teachings of their church through regular participation in worship.

Bishop Browning told the group that God's presence is sometimes felt in judgment. He said this judgment should be accepted because if it is from God it will lead to reconciliation and wholeness.

Worship during the conference included use of rites from the Book of Common Prayer and Services for Trial Use. A variety of music included hymns from Songs for Liturgy and More Hymns & Spiritual Songs. Congregational singing was led by a choir of young people, sometimes accompanied by guitars.

The conference was a time of spiritual renewal for the military personnel and dependents who because of duty in widely-scattered European locations are often isolated from the regular life and services of the Episcopal Church. It was also a time for military clergy and laity to become better acquainted with their civilian counterparts. One of the participants was the Rev. Willy Perquy, pastor of the Church of Peace, an Old Catholic congregation in Hoederath, Germany.

On the final evening Bishops Hobgood and Browning administered Confirmation to a number of children and adults. In a meditation during the service Bishop Hobgood spoke about the difficulty of being a follower of Christ, particularly when it means trying to understand the actions of some young people, those who left the United States to avoid military service and the demands of militant minority groups.

He also said it isn't always easy to defend what the establishment is doing when as Christians "we think the establishment is right."

"Most of us are proud of the establishment even though we know it isn't perfect," he told the congregation. "It isn't easy to defend it especially when you're with a group like the 20 or so students who took over my office last year. They see the establishment as the root of all evil."

Coordinators for the conference were Chaplain (Maj.) David W. Kent, USA, and Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Earl J. Kingsley, USAF. The Canadian Forces were represented by Lt. Col. O. A. Hopkins and Major Randy Woods, with the Rev. Harold Embleton representing the British Royal Navy.