Only in tiny letters down to one side are titles listed - Archbishop of Canterbury, bishop, staff member, communicator, etc. We rely on God who raises the dead, referring particularly to the resurrection of Christ. Musical director helps shape multicultural tone Geoff Weaver, the conference s musical director, said that he was pleased that the bishops and spouses were willing to try their voices out with unfamiliar tunes and languages, and even to attempt some dance movements with African and Latin American hymns. The multilingual program, which included hymns and readings in English, French, Swahili, Maori, Welsh and Korean, was designed by a seven-member worship and liturgy team under Weaver s direction, and reflected Archbishop Carey s desire for conference liturgies that more accurately reflect the communion s diversity. The team, led by Bishop Roger Herft, a Sri Lankan who is bishop of the Diocese of Newcastle in Australia, drew on a wide number of consultants from around the communion.
Language is such a fundamental thing of taking a people and a culture seriously.
Two decades working in the church mission field have given Dr. Weaver a special sensitivity to the communion s cultural diversity and wealth of liturgical expression. As a teacher, and later as a trainer with the Church Mission Society, Weaver has taught in Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Nigeria. The evening program, which served partly as a rehearsal for the conference s opening Eucharist July 19 at Canterbury Cathedral, incorporated prayers from the New Zealand Prayer Book and the Book of Common Prayer. Though no Spanish readings or hymns were used for the evening program, they will be part of the opening Eucharist, said Dr. Weaver. The service concluded in a moment of linguistic grace.