I’m writing from Pretoria South Africa in the fourth day of the tri-annual Diocesan Synod of the enormous Diocese of Pretoria, the capitol city of SA, where Jo Seoka is bishop. Some of you will remember him from our SWFLA VIA MEDIA meeting in May of last year when he spoke words of encouragement to us. I’ve been here as the daily speaker doing a biblical reflection on a theme based on Eph 4:7 Each one of us has been given grace according to the measure of Christ.

Today, at the concluding Eucharist, the preacher was to be a Nigerian Archbishop, from the Diocese of Orlu, but HE DIDN’T SHOW UP although there had been much communication about the event and travel arrangements. Bishop Seoka had thought it might be fun to have a Nigerian Anglican and American Episcopalian at the same Synod, and it would have been a bridge builder, but not to be.

In fact, the Synod voted not to develop the companion relationship with Orlu, which had earlier been suggested by CAPA (Council of Anglican Primates of

Africa) as a way to build relationships. Instead the Synod voted to develop a relationship with a struggling diocese in southern Sudan, whose people have been coming to Pretoria for training in leadership and support.

Bishop Seoka had alerted the Synod (before the deciding vote on a companion diocese) that not only had the Nigerian not shown up, but that there was to

be a meeting of the ‘global south’ in Egypt in October and that the purpose was to develop a split from the Anglican Communion – a move headed by Archbp. Akinola, Primate of Nigeria. He reminded the Synod that Archbp. Ndungane, Primate of Church of the Province of Southern Africa, would lead CPSA to continue with the Anglican Communion. There was no murmur of dissent, and it was a unanimous vote.

There have been many expressions of concern and prayer for the Katrina disaster, and the thank you and wishes I received formally at the end of the business session Saturday night, extended to all Americans, those suffering, and those working to keep the Anglican Communion together – well, it would have brought tears to your eyes, too.

This has been an amazing experience. Not only are these people who are so aware of the precious gift of life they have, which they almost lost in their crisis of 1994, but it is a completely integrated, multi-cultural diocese, where the liturgy may have had three languages in song and prayer before the first lesson. It is a mix of traditional African Anglo-Catholicism (things you’ve never seen) and modern evangelical and African Christianity. One of

the reasons the Synod is a three day business meeting and then a Sunday Eucharist is the great distances people come, the three year cycle, and the fact that they really follow "Westminster" rules of procedure. Motions have to be read for three days before a vote, so there is plenty of time for debate and amendment. Most things come to consensus and unanimous vote. The bishop’s charge, which is printed and handed out the first day, does produce resolutions, but they are from a committee which the bishop does not influence, and they are also read and debated the three times!! Transparency and democracy are painstakingly observed – democracy and freedom are not taken for granted here. I have great hopes for Anglicanism today, and every time I could, I made sure that I mentioned all of you and the great network of friendship we have in Christ.

PS When I was preparing my talks, one of you suggested that I highlight our traditional Anglican understanding of Incarnation. That was exactly on target!

Ted Copland

Canon of the Cathedral of St. Alban, in the Diocese

of Pretoria, Church of the Province of Southern Africa

and most of the time Rector of St Boniface in Diocese

of Southwest Florida in the Episcopal Church