Reflections from Iona

My trip required a flight to Edinburgh, Scotland. A car trip, driving on the left side of the road, and dodging other cars on narrow single-track roads. Two ferries, across windswept bodies of water. But I made it to the Isle of Iona, to begin my 3-month sabbatical.

Iona is a rugged island off the west coast of Scotland, to which St. Columba brought Christianity to the country in the year 563. He established a Christian community that has existed in various forms for the past 1500 years, currently as the progressive -- but also traditional -- Iona Community. Today's community was gathered by the Rev. George MacLeod, a Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) pastor during the Depression, with the goal of rebuilding the Iona Abbey and revitalizing Christianity on Iona and throughout Scotland.

I checked into the St. Columba Hotel, which has stunning views of the Iona Abbey and Sound of Iona. After dinner, my family and I walked to the Abbey for the daily 9 p.m. worship service, which was called "World Space" -- it featured international songs, led by a choir of young people gathered for the youth conference of the Iona Community. The preacher told her personal story of being born in Kenya to British military parents, who rediscovered "the Christian way" while abroad. There were amazing acoustics in this ancient, candlelit stone space, enhanced by the sound of the wind whipping around outside. The spirit of the service was ancient, future-oriented, and energetic.

The next day, I spent three hours with a man from the Iona Community named Alan, who had a career as a social worker before being called to ministry in the Church of Scotland in midlife. He explained to me that the Iona Community is fundamentally a missional group -- a dispersed community. Members gather on the Isle of Iona for conferences, but their core activity is meeting as family groups once a month in their home communities. They are accountable to each other in their use of money and time, they work for justice and peace, and they meet together as family groups, where they share leadership in Bible study and look at issues in the light of Scripture. Regular intercessory prayer, in particular, creates strong bonds between members of the community.

Alan told me that George MacLeod wanted Iona to be a place for the whole people of God, a community that was always seeking "new ways to touch the hearts of all." They accept people for what they are, and look forward to what they will be. There is an expectation of transformation at Iona, as people live together in community and participate in worship and work. Expectations are high; as Alan and the community says, "We will not offer to God offerings that cost us nothing."

The Iona Community has a long history of working to bridge the gap between Protestants and Catholics. They have also served a world in need by working as peacemakers in Israel/Palestine, conducting mission trips to Malawi, and making visits to Cuba. The orginal members of the community ministered in lower-class Glasgow, and more recent members have befriended young offenders in the penal system.

The community is commited to biblical hospitality and acceptance, welcoming all people. I felt this in Alan's welcome of me, and saw it in an evening healing service. In that "Healing Space," a musical chorus was taught at the beginning of the service, and a leader explained exactly what would come. The assumption is that visitors are present, but they are not singled out -- the instructions are given to all. The music of the Iona community is simple and repetitive, with clear lyrics that are easy to learn.

Before leaving Iona, my family and I took a pilgrimage around half the island, passing a small mountain which St. Columba used to climb once per day. While visiting the beach, I was struck by the power of the wind and the water -- two ancient religious symbols. The whole experience on Iona has put me in touch with the elemental and the eternal, and given me much to ponder as I think about the future of ministry back home.