Archbishop of Canterbury greets WSCF from Lambeth

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev’d and Rt. Hon. Dr Rowan Williams has sent his blessing to WSCF’s General Assembly, naming WSCF as the place where many of the world’s church leaders received their first taste of the world church.

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s message follows below.

Message to the World Student Christian Federation

1st August 2008

For the past two weeks, bishops and their spouses from around the globe have been meeting in Canterbury to take counsel together on the life and work of our Anglican Communion and I am delighted to be able to greet you from the Lambeth Conference. Our life together here has been tirelessly served and immeasurably enriched by the presence of our 50 Conference Stewards, who are young people from all parts of the Communion, and I know that this special group of participants would want to join with me in sending this Greeting to you.

The World Student Christian Federation has served the global community of Christian young people for over 110 years and has given many who have gone on to lead their churches and communities their first experience of global Christian sharing, their first taste of the world church. As you meet to share common concern for the Gospel of justice and peace, around the theme “Your sons and daughters shall prophesy” you are entering into a rich heritage of witness and service. These are themes on which we have also been reflecting at the Lambeth Conference, as we have been engaged in discussion and reflection on many areas of our common life around the theme of equipping bishops and their spouses for mission in a world which so urgently needs this Gospel message of healing and liberation.

When each of you returns home, you will take back with you a unique gift of the experience of global community, a gift which will inspire and encourage your own participation in the proclamation of the Gospel afresh in this and in future generations. May I send to you as you meet every good wish and blessing for your time together.

The Most Rev’d and Rt Hon Dr Rowan Williams
Archbishop of Canterbury