It's been soooooo hot! We drank about two litres of water an hour simply to keep hydrated. We found it way too hot to enjoy (or endure?) all the bands we wanted to see. On Friday we found out how well the festival is organised. Very slick. We enjoyed The Enemy, The Kills and Bloc Party.
Radiohead were magnificent. At one point, way off in the distance to the left of the stage, the sky was illuminated by a thunder storm. Those pyrotechnics and the cityscape backdrop were awesome. The band then added their own effects with a fireworks display during the set.
Yesterday we started with The Ting Tings, who are a much better live band than I had anticipated. They were excellent with an energetic and engaging set that provoked much dancing. Foals followed. Loved the way they all face in towards one another rather than face the crowd. MGMT drew a massive crowd. Explosions in the Sky seemed to make beautiful sounds off in the distance, but by that time we were wilting in the sun.
Chicago makes a stunning backdrop for a music festival. The crowd are very well-behaved. There is a large fountain in Grant Park which is surrounded by a little fence. I've yet to see anyone cross this boundary, which has little in the way of security preventing it happen. Though alcohol is being sold, there is very little drunkenness. In Glasgow, that fountain would be full of semi-naked drunk men and women within moments. I don't think I'm being harsh on my own city. Americans do good behaviour rather well when they choose to.
Mind you, some gentlemen were passing round a funny cigarette this afternoon and their smoke played havoc with my eyes and made me feel very light-headed indeed.
We've taken the 'EL' (elevated train, made famous in countless movies) for both days of the festival. This must be one of the slowest rail services in the world, with lots of stops and signal problems It reminded me of my recent Ugandan visit when I travelled in a minibus which stopped everywhere.
Celtic strips abound here - I chatted to several people I found wearing them. They were either of Scottish or Irish descent.
I discovered one man outside the festival exit boldly preaching about Jesus being the only way to God.
Before I go to church, here's a little something just for Grayza:
Yesterday was very busy, and a lot of us are feeling quite tired. Temperature was up at 36 degrees today.
This morning started with singing led by the formidable ladies of the Mothers Union of Nigeria. It was exciting, colourful and different from what we've had so far. A video interview with a Nigerian bishop followed, who, while on the way here was delayed at Istanbul Airport and had encountered a businessman from Genoa. Long story short: the man was a Buddhist, the bishop shared his testimony of God's love in Christ with him, and he surrendered his little statue of the Buddha to the bishop as he committed his life to Him. The bishop is hoping he gets delayed on the way home too!
Vaughan Roberts gave a masterful exposition of 2 Samuel 7: The Church is the House built by God. I found this very challenging. How we need to be the people of God in the place which we find ourselves: obedient, evangelistic and hopeful.
A conference statement is being worked on as I type. Small groups are feeding their thoughts back to be sifted and deliberated upon. Some people are hoping for much from this, perhaps too much. A new confessional structure within the Anglican Communion might not be founded this week. I hope it is. But if it isn't the story will only end here if we let it. The history of God's people, is one of almost constant rebellion and unfaithfulness. The challenge of the prophets is always one of obedience. That may be our calling. We might be largely ignored. But we can continue to point the Church and the world to Jesus, the Way the Truth and the Life.
Personally, I think we are at the start of something here. A family has come together, relationships developed and understandings deepened. At an institutional level, we must not expect too much. At a personal and relational level, I think much is happening. My conversations with bishops, clergy and lay people make me hopeful for the future. It may well be that it is in these things that much of the fruit of this time together will be born.
But it may be the statement will be stronger than I anticipate. Strong enough to challenge us and the rest of the provinces of the Anglican Communion to repentance? We'll know in a few days time.
We're just going into a session on "Enterprise Approaches to Poverty". Tonight we're off to the Wailing Wall to pray.
ps: Thanks to Beat Attitude for the new banner, which uses one of my photographs from this pilgrimage.
pps: Here are some of the members of my small group: Bishops Henry and Bethlehem from Nigeria and South Africa respectively and Richard from San Joaquin, California.
The one thousand pilgrims made their way to the Mount of Olives for a time of repentance, prayer and worship. I was moved to tears as we repented for our wrongdoings, our loved ones who don't know God, and the failings of both churches. A Ugandan youth band led the music. It turns out I'll be preaching on the 13th July at the university in Kampala attended by some of them. Small world......
A group photograph followed, with a helicopter also taking a snap. It was boiling as we waited, but everyone was good-natured about it. There then followed a tour down to Gethsemane, with guys selling us all sorts of tat.
I have another hat......
On the 'What's going to happen?' question, there are a few journalists around, and there is a good bit of speculation, but I don't think anyone can be sure at this stage. We'll begin to get a better idea as the week goes on.
This afternoon, Archbishop Orombi of Uganda will preach at the Communion service. Looking forward to that immensely......
Recent Comments