ANGLICAN identity will be the next theme in the Lambeth Call series of discussions exploring the recommendations made at last year’s Lambeth Conference. The webinars are a resource to help the Communion to apply the recommendations at every level of church life.

Scheduled for 7 and 8 February 2024, this will be the third in the series, after discussions on discipleship (News, 2 June), and on environment and sustainable development, which brought together fresh voices and insights from around the world. The webinars are reinforced with a wide range of resources to help inform church groups and episcopal gatherings.

The February Call will explore topics such as: what it means to be an Anglican; perspectives on being “in communion”; Anglican involvement in mission around the world; and how Anglicans might best engage in dialogue.

The secretary-general of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, reflected in conversation with the Lambeth Conference team on Monday that hospitality should be the Christian distinctive. He spoke about what being an Anglican meant to him, and what inspired him about the shared life of Anglican churches worldwide.

Describing the Communion as a global family, he said: “One of the wonderful things about this shared life is the opportunity to walk together in faith with Christians, both locally and globally; to pray for one another; to partner in sharing the gospel; and to advocate for justice and peace.”

Asked how he would encourage fellow Anglicans, he said: “We are living at a challenging time, where issues of poverty, inequality, and injustice continue to impact the most vulnerable people on our planet. There is much to discourage and divide us. But Christ calls his Church to be one as we share the hope and good news of the gospel.

“I think ultimately being in communion is an invitation to offer hospitality. This is not a soft hospitality: it’s a challenging and costly hospitality that causes us to go beyond our own comfort levels and capabilities, in the strength that Christ provides.

“Hospitality is one of the key things that I notice every time I visit somewhere in the Anglican Communion. I see the strength and resilience of people facing cyclones, drought, and even war. Yet, in all of this, they still show the love of Christ to those around.”

Registration is open to all, for the preferred date, at www.lambethconference.org.