The opening question above came from the address the next morning of Father Richard Vosko, who has been working with churches and cathedrals for decades in renewal of worship through a theology of architecture.  He spoke to us on “The Cathedral Church:  Life in Between No More and Not Yet.”

After Richard Vosko we heard from Prof. Richard Schneider, Orthodox Church of America (who actually lives in Toronto, but teaches at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in New York, along with York University in Toronto, and University of Toronto), on the topic:  “Heaven on Earth – Cathedrals in the Orthodox Tradition:  What Can They Teach Us?”  There was yet a third speaker that Friday afternoon, a young Roman Catholic man, married with children, who lives in a neo-monastic community in Camden, New Jersey.  He has co-written one book, “Jesus for President” and has another one coming out this fall on his journey back into the church, all the way into life among the poor and the wretched of Camden, “From Willow Creek to St. Francis.”

The next day we heard from three women, the most well-known of whom is Diana Butler Bass, and has written several interesting books; her latest, out now, is “Christianity After Religion.”  It’s definitely worth a look.

In addition to this almost too rich intellectual and spiritual fare, there was some opportunity for conversation with and learning from the vast range of experience among the deans present at the Conference, including a good number of Canadians.  Now I understand more than ever why our former Dean, Bob Osborne, recommended this so strongly and why Bishop Don also encouraged me to go.  Thanks again for your encouragement and support.  I am grateful to God for the experience, and look forward to sharing more of what I have learned.