The Bishop of Derby, Alastair Redfern, is to write a daily blog of his experiences at the 2008 Lambeth Conference this summer.

Dr. Redfern is looking forward to the international gathering in Canterbury of Anglican bishops from all over the world and is aiming to keep in touch with his own Diocese by penning his thoughts, feelings and observations as often as he can.

"It will be a global village of some 1500 people from all over the world and, to that extent, it is quite mind blowing - how many cultures and experiences are represented in that one gathering," Bishop Redfern today.

The Bishop has set up a blog (www.thoughts.com/derbyatlambeth) and he intends to spend a few minutes each day reflecting on what has happened and on the experiences he would like to share most particularly with the Diocese.

Amongst the issues which the Bishop of Derby expects to be both interesting and thought provoking is the quest for direction and vision as the Anglican Church seeks to communicate its essential message in today’s culture.

"There is a tension in what it means both to offer leadership and, at the same time, to be a learning community," he said.

The Bishop added: "We, as the Anglican Church, have to listen to people of different perspectives and talk about our experiences across a wide range of issues."

The Bishop's blog will urge worshippers across the Diocese to pray for the Anglican bishops as they discuss these and many other important issues.

Ends

For further information please contact
Revd Rob Marshall
In the Diocesan Media Office on
0845 610 6420
derby@media33.co.uk

Bishop Alastair is joined by Bishop Humphrey

The remarkable success of the Bishop of Derby’s daily blog from the 2008 Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops has resulted in his suffragan bishop, the Bishop of Repton, Humphrey Southern, joining him online.

“When I read the Bishop’s blog I thought – well I can have a go as well,” he told the diocesan website today.

Bishop Alastair has written his thoughts down each day and has had hundreds of visits to his daily blog. His address is www.thoughts.com/derbyatlambeth

The Bishop of Repton’s address is: www.thoughts.com/HumphreySouthern/blog