By Nan Cobbey
Lambeth Conference Communications

"S - P - I - R - I - T." The 52 short-skirted, pompom-shaking young girls

shouted out the letters in a rhythmic chant, then sang "We've got the Spirit! Woo!" as they advanced down the steep steps of the Lambeth Conference pressroom amphitheater Friday morning (July 31).

The exuberant entrance, both a shock and a success, made the 60-odd journalists and bishop-presenters break into grins after 40 minutes of serious business.

The Ascension Eagles Cheerleaders, who would take part in the plenary on youth later in the morning, ranged in age from seven to 18. They included one boy-the "mascot," it was explained-as part of the team and one purple-suited bishop at the end of the line. The bishop also carried a pom-pom and showed tremendous zest, but slightly less rhythm.

"Did he look cool?" asked one of the journalists, now quite awake, referring to the accompanying bishop.

"He is a really good representative," said Dominique Tipper, a diplomatic teenager.

"What do you call those things you have in your hand," she had also been asked. "Pom-poms," she said. "P - O - M - dash - P - O - M - S."

Charmed, the crowd laughed and applauded.

The ethnically diverse cheerleaders, champions in both Britain and Europe, train twice weekly at Ascension Church Center in Newham in the East End of London. While many come from unchurched homes, the cheerleading experience provides the directors "an opportunity to share our faith," and the young participants a strong connection to Ascension, which one cheerleader called "our second home."

The church connection posed a problem when this year's cheerleading championship fell on Easter Sunday. Mrs. Shara Brice, director, said the team considered withdrawing. Instead they prayed about the situation. They made a decision.

"Our teenage cheerleaders led worship on Easter Sunday morning at the World Cheerleading Championships," said Mrs. Brice.