2006 General Convention

2006 General Convention Pictures

My dear friends and fellow pilgrims:

What a blessed event we have all experienced during the past week!

     All events were clearly the result of God's Holy Spirit moving in our being and guiding in all things. The tremendous sermons we were privileged to hear were examples of what God can accomplish through the heart and ministry of Strong Men of Valor in His blessed Ministerial Army.

     Our souls were enriched and edified by the presence and testimony of the Canadian contingent of priests who have elected to walk with us as long as we continue to walk with Christ. The Rev. Garth Neel summarized our Unity of purpose and direction when he counselled us to remember that the " Main Thing is to keep the Main Thing , the Main Thing. " How simple and yet profound in Truth for our times.

     We were honored to have with us the Most Reverend Zephaniah Legumana , Presiding Bishop of the Solomons , Melanesia , Fiji , and the Philippine Islands; the Most Rev. Eric Ojuki , Presiding Bishop of Kenya; and many others from Puerto Rico to Halifax . Many others were unable to come due to the great distances.

      On our visit to the Solomon Islands in January of this year,  We were met near the shore of Isabel Island by a tractor-drawn wagon. Our company boarded the wagon and were privileged to sit upon chairs placed in the wagon( no seat belts, thank you). The road wound through the jungle vegetation - alive with exotic birds and other wild life - through mud and water and mostly uphill ,  to the beautiful village and people of Kotolubi Village . There we found thousands from many villages gathered to greet us. The village Chief of Kotolubi made a number of graceful and eloquent remarks in welcoming us to Isabel Island . He made, in passing, an apology for the poor road that led to his village. But in this, the good man was wrong. For "what defines the value of a Road of Passage? Is it not the destination to which the Road leads? The Road to Kotolubi led to a beautiful place, with beautiful wildlife and people to add to the great treasure of Kotolubi Village ." These were the words with which I responded to the Chief and his kind people.

      The Road to the Kingdom of God is likewise straight and narrow leading up to a marvellous destination. The value of the Straight and Narrow Way is not attributable to the upward grade and narrow accommodation, but to the beauty and majesty of the destination.

       So was our General Convention. It was a time of sharing, of renewing old friendships, of meeting new family, of love and bliss. But more importantly, it was a way point in the Road that will lead the AOC into the Mansions of our God.

       I am overwhelmed at the manner in which we are being blessed with so many men and women of strong and resolute character, of uncompromising strength and courage. It is a new beginning. If we remain strong and valiant in our testimony, the Lord will continue to lead us on to the place for which He wills us to labor. If we faint not, and stand upon that Firm Foundation laid for the Saints and His Church, we cannot go amiss.

      I wish to personally thank each and everyone of you for a delightful and Godly celebration of Love and Truth. Even to the end of my days, will I close my minds eye and remember every sweet and gentle face to give me comfort from the World.

In Christ,

Jerry L. Ogles

Presiding Bishop