Update on Monday

This morning we set off early to the Mount of Olives. We began with a short morning liturgy overlooking the city of Jerusalem. The Kidron Valley, between the Mount of Olives and the old city, is full of tombs because it is believed that the God's day of judgement (and resurrection) will begin there. After taking a large group photo, we made our way slowly down the hill to the Garden of Gethsemane. The hills are amazingly steep on both sides of the valley. I can see why the Bible always talks about going "up" to Jerusalem. And the passage in Isaiah 40 that talks about every hill and every valley being made into a plain (it was read later in the afternoon) became much more real. If you had to walk up and down those things on a regular basis you'd look forward to them being flattened.

The communion service this afternoon was excellent. We used a liturgy from Kenya that was innovative and orthodox with thought-provoking ideas. Archbishop Henry Orombe of Uganda preached on the passage about the paralysed man at the Pool who was healed by Jesus. He talked about the need for us individually and collectively to be healed by Jesus. That we need to know our healer and testify to him. I thought his talk was very balanced. I especially appreciated the fact that he talked about the possibility for people at GAFCON to be sinful in pride and judgement of others. This was a helpful reminder early in the week.

There has been no real discussion yet of what practical things might come out of GAFCON, except amongst individuals.

More later.