Discovering My Place in the Anglican Communion
When I traveled to Manila, Philippines, to attend the 12th Triennial Conference of the Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion (CUAC), I expected to learn about Anglican higher education and the growing role of artificial intelligence in our institutions. I returned with something much deeper: a renewed appreciation for the Anglican Communion as a truly global family of faith, united by a shared commitment to Christ expressed through diverse cultures, traditions, and ministries.
For me, the conference became a living expression of the Anglican Communion itself, where worship, learning, and fellowship crossed national and cultural boundaries while remaining rooted in our shared faith in Christ.
That lesson came to life during worship at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. John, the National Cathedral of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines. Throughout the conference, we gathered there several times for prayer and worship. During one Eucharist, Indigenous music, traditional attire, and the sounds of gongs became part of the liturgy. Witnessing local culture embraced so naturally within Anglican worship reminded me that the Gospel does not erase culture; rather, it invites every people to offer their unique gifts in praise of God. It was one of the most meaningful worship experiences of the conference and deepened my appreciation for the richness of the worldwide Church.
As someone who worked in information technology before entering seminary, I was especially drawn to the conference theme, “Embracing the Future: Anglican Perspectives in AI, Ethics and Society.” There was active debate on the benefits of AI tools. A lot of people felt that AI tools should be utilized by the church and its members. There was also a perspective that AI should not be used at all. What encouraged me most was that the conversation centered on how the Church should respond faithfully to this emerging technology while remaining grounded in Christian ethics, human dignity, and the common good. It was encouraging to see Anglican educators approach innovation with both intellectual curiosity and theological wisdom, recognizing that the Church has an important role to play in shaping how new technologies serve humanity.
Looking back, I realize my journey to Manila became an invitation to discover more deeply the vocation God has been preparing me for. I am deeply grateful to Dean Ian S. Markham for making this learning opportunity possible. The experience broadened my vision of priestly ministry, strengthened my desire to serve both within the life of a local parish and through international ministry, and reminded me that the Anglican Communion is at its strongest when we learn from one another across cultures, traditions, and borders.
Puja Khanna
MDiv 2028