Twenty Ninth Annual Men’s Conference Report

Story and photos by Dick Hooper

Shuckin' Oysters with the Bishop

The Right Reverend Bruce MacPherson, the Bishop of Western Louisiana, was the principal speaker at the 29th annual Men’s Conference of the Central Gulf Coast, held March 5, 6 & 7 at Beckwith Camp and Conference Center. He explored The Community of Faith with the 37 attendees from parishes all over our diocese. In addition to serious reflection, all enjoyed renewing old friendships and making new ones, excellent food, including wonderful Apalachicola oysters supplied by Sam Richardson, music by Charlie Roose, browsing in Thee Store collection of religious books and Episcopal articles, and enjoying beautiful spring weather on the Beckwith grounds.

In his first reflection, The Community of Faith in the Old Testament, Bishop MacPherson stated that that the Israelite community arose out of their search both for their own identity and for a relationship with God. He pointed out that this same search occurs in all community building both in Jesus’ time and now. “The church is a covenant community just as ancient Israel was,” he said. Like Israel, the Church looks forward to a future time when there will be shalom, complete peace. He reminded the conference that their mission is to restore unity through Christ in God and each other.

2010 Men's Conference Participants

Bishop MacPherson stated in his second talk, The Community of Faith in the New Testament, that the Jesus’ summation of the law: love God and love your neighbor, is also the summation of his life, “God’s Kingdom, lived.” Although the Christian community’s precepts were Old Testament based, the new Israel included all peoples and was based on love rather than law.

The Saturday afternoon reflection, The Community of Faith Today, dealt with the church as the instrument of our transformation enabling each of us to know, to love and to serve Christ. “The Christian does not have to know destiny, only how to be in community,” our speaker said. In his final talk, You in the Community, Bishop MacPherson told us that we need the support of the community of faithful to continue our Christian journey. He reminded us that it is Christ himself in John 15 who explains that he is the vine and we are the branches. Cut off from the vine we wither, but in Christ we over come the obstacles of the world and our life is fulfilled.

Indeed, it was at the closing Eucharist on Sunday that this community of Christian men came together as a community in service by contributing $430 to the Episcopal relief effort in Haiti and in fellowship by uniting with Christ in the breaking of bread. They sealed their fellowship by spontaneously joining hands in love and singing Amazing Grace to close the conference.

On March 4, 5, & 6 of 2011 join in the fellowship at Camp Beckwith with our speaker Bishop Keith Whitmore, retired Bishop of Lacrosse and Assisting Bishop of Atlanta. Mark your calendars!