The Diocesan Dialogue
Current Issue
April 2008
Bishop's Reflections
It is a very long way to Myanmar—about 35 hours of travel each
way. I returned several days ago along with the hearty band of pilgrims
who made the journey with me to attend the 'enthronement' of
Myanmar's new archbishop, and to meet our companion friends in
the Diocese of Myitkyina. The group included Susan Fischer, Sandy and
Preston Motes, the Rev. Lee Shaw, and Harriet and Roger Stevens.
Myanmar
(formerly Burma) is a long country in Southeast Asia bordering Bangladesh,
China, Laos and Thailand. Over the centuries, it has been an important
trade route, but is now the poor child of Asia. Whereas so many of
the nearby countries have booming or at least growing economies, Myanmar
is still an agrarian country, dependent on full and flooding rivers
in the rainy season. The U.S. embargo has made life for the people
very difficult.
We were all grateful for the leadership of the Rev.
Kitty Babson, whom you may remember from her visit here with Bishop
David and his wife Mary in 2005. She was familiar with all the church
leaders and the good places for us to stay, as well as transportation
choices (not many!)
Notwithstanding deep poverty and a tight military
regime governing the country, we were treated very well. Little as
the people have, they presented us with feasts and gifts at every opportunity.
Utah Episcopalians join Bishop Irish in giving fleeces to the citizens
of Myanmar. The fleeces were donated by church members throughout the
Utah diocese. The Utah delegation conducted this sharing of our good
fortunes with those in Myramar in a classroom in the Cathedral Church
of Christ the King in Myanmar.
We
in turn delivered the fleeces that members of the Diocese donated last
fall and they were thrilled to have them, as it is cold and fuel is
hard to get in the northern regions of Myanmar. We took other gifts
as well: T-shirts and caps with the Episcopal logo embroidered on them,
soaps, pens and even volleyballs!
The churches are the center of all
life and activity in the Diocese of Myitkyina. Having been a part of
the British Empire until after the WWII, their worship follows those
traditions very closely. I had the privilege of preaching in the cathedral
in Myitkyina, but at every turn they wanted to hear from members of
our group—about our women's ministries, men's groups,
our education of children and youth programs. Members of our pilgrim
group were extremely generous and articulate.
The men's group
in the Diocese has asked for our help in purchasing a truck, which
would serve many purposes for them, including some that looking to raise
about five thousand dollars in the coming weeks to get them underway
with this project.
Finally, our time together was greatly enriched
by the Rev. Lee Shaw, who served as our chaplain. Most evenings we
gathered for prayers and reflections on our experience, which kept
us grounded in the spirit of mission, which took us there in the first
place. It was in prayer that our eyes were opened to see “God's
hand at work in the world around us"—and within us too.
At
the next Diocesan Convention, we will present a resolution to confirm
a companion diocese relationship with Myitkyina, much as we have with
the Diocese of Mexico. Such work is truly mission—"beyond
ourselves."
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish
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