I know I've posted nothing on Lambeth - in fact precious little on the blog of late (consider this the beginning of a Summer resolution!), but I've been tempted back to the keyboard by a wonderful juxtaposition of two rather contradictory perspectives on the much-publicised gathering of 3/4's of the Anglican Bishops.

Ruth Gledhill is the Religion Correspondent for The Times (and a relatively near neighbour to us here, living as she does in Kew). She's on the outside of a rather high perimeter fence, reporting on the news that gets out. Her most recent post (read the rest of it here ) finishes:

I wish I wasn't writing this but things here are really not looking good. The Anglican Communion seems to be falling apart in front of our eyes and it is not a pretty sight. 

 Brian Maclaren - known to many readers as a perceptive (if, at times, controversial) writer and speaker pushing Christians to think harder and live more faithfully as followers of Jesus has actually been participating in the conference. His blog post is here online , but I'm going to quote it in full (emphases below are mine).

A Joyful time at Lambeth:

What a tremendous honor and pleasure it's been to speak on the subject of evangelism at the Lambeth Conference being held here in Canterbury, England.

I know that most people think the "news story" here is about divisive controversies over sexuality, but my sense is that the real news story is very different. There is a humble spirit here, a loving atmosphere, a deep spirituality centered in Bible study, worship, and prayer, and a strong desire to move beyond internal-institutional matters to substantive mission in our needy world.

In every conversation and gathering I've participated in, the spirit has been kind and holy and positive. That sort of good news doesn't attract the media the way a salacious or pugilistic story does ... It will be interesting to see whether the press reports what is actually happening here, or if they need to rewrite the narrative to fit the shape of war-tales they are more accustomed to telling.

My sense is that the quiet, prayerful, and humble patience of Archbishop Rowan Williams is leading the way to better days for the Anglican Communion. It feels like the bishops gathered here are turning a corner together. I feel that I'm witnessing the emergence of something good, beautiful, true, and blessed ... Hearts here are sincerely open to the Spirit of God.

Thanks for all who prayed for me regarding my plenary session here tonight. Everything went well, and I look forward to my next two days here.

A member of All Souls, Veena, was speaking to the bishops today on behalf of Tearfund about HIV/Aids - I'm looking forward to hearing from her too.

Perhaps we see what we expect to see?