As we begin our work together, we\u2019re bound to be very much aware of people\u2019s eyes upon us. There are expectations among our own people \u201d\u201c both hopes and fears. There are expectations among the representatives of the world\u2019s media \u201d\u201c and plenty of stories already which seem to know better than any of us what is going to happen. I saw the headline \u201cIs this the end of the Anglican Communion\u201d\u009d. No-one has told us here. And there are our eyes on each other \u201d\u201c perhaps not quite sure yet how it\u2019s going to feel, who we\u2019re going to be alongside, whether everything will come out right in the sense that after two weeks we shall be able to say something with real integrity that will move us forward in God\u2019s way.<\/p>\n
We know all that; but we need also to know what most matters \u201d\u201c that God\u2019s eyes are upon us and that God has entrusted something to us. In the last few days, we have had a chance to hold that firmly in mind as we have shared our time of retreat. We have reminded ourselves that God has entrusted something to each one of us as a bishop, the care of his people and the taking forward of his purpose for humankind through our share in God\u2019s mission. We have been caught up in the infinite consequences of Jesus\u2019 life and death and resurrection. We are part of God\u2019s way of making those consequences real and liberating for all humanity. So all that is said and done in our context here is in some way to do with this fundamental agenda, deepening our commitment to God\u2019s own vision of the world\u2019s future in Christ.<\/p>\n