The PCUSA Pilgrim Pastor

As I’m soaking up life on the island of Iona, I will wait to share the history of this island and the Abbey until I know a little bit more. But I do want to share what a day looks like as a guest at Iona Abbey.

A schedule is posted that outlines the day. Here is what our week looks like.

Meals are at 8:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 6:00pm. Breakfast is porridge which is like oatmeal, cereal, fruit, toast, and jam. We have tea and scones around 10:30 with wonderful jam. Lunch is soup, sandwiches, and fresh homemade bread. The bread is amazing! Dinner is some kind of pasta or rice dish, maybe a salad or other side dish. Everything here is vegetarian. They always have gluten free and dairy free options. But the BEST is the dessert. From a hot pear crumble to a orange cream filled pastry with chocolate on top, the dessert are amazing. The food is definitely better here than at Taize, and I even get a fork and knife. This is the refectory where our meals are held.

Like Taize, everyone is expected to chip in and do chores. I got assigned set up for dinner which I love. That was actually my chore as a kid growing up: setting the table. There is a chart that lets everyone know what they are doing.

In the morning and afternoon there are workshops. They are often around a topic that pertains to Iona history. Today we learned about the Book of Kells. A fascinating version of the four gospels that artistically enhances the text in profound and symbolic ways. I learned a lot about the spiritual art and ways this book enhanced the Christian tradition.

We also had a Ceilidh which is like an informal singalong where people play, sing, or just join together informally with stories or jokes. It was a great 1.5 hours with mostly traditional Scottish songs.

We have worship twice a day, at 9:00 in the morning and 9:00 in the evening. Worship is held in the chapel where Christians have worshipped since Columba came here in 563. And it’s just as cold. There is no heat so we all bundle up for worship held in this stone chapel. Volunteers are part of the service so I will be reading scripture tomorrow night. Each evening has an emphasis. Last night was quiet and silence. Tonight is peace and justice. This is the Abbey where we worship.

Then we retire to our rooms. I get a real mattress with no metal bunk bed! There are three of us to a room and they put the Americans together. One room mate is from Richmond and the other from Ohio. There are no locks on the doors, well except for the bathrooms which are shared.

In our free time we can explore the island or hang out in the Common Area seen here.

There are many kind amenities like a place where there are hiking shoes, waterproof attire, and walking sticks for the 7 mile hike we are doing tomorrow. I borrowed a pair of hiking books since I don’t want to get my shoes muddy. Also, they provide a little kitchen with fresh fruit, tea, and coffee along with a microwave and refrigerator just in case you need more to eat.

The weather is cold. While it may be sunny and 52 degrees, the windchill has to be in the low 40’s. It makes even a walk outside quite challenging so I haven’t explored the island too much since I’ve been here the last day and a half. We will see what the weather holds the next few days.

While there are no more Benedictine monks anymore or active monastic community on site, Rev. George Macleod did found the Iona Community in 1938. Since then this community which is spread all over the world runs the worship services and the programs here at Iona. They have different levels of membership and all commit to worship, prayer, social justice, and peace. Like Taize, volunteers come from all over the world to stay and help with kitchen, administration, and maintenance. They stay anywhere from a few weeks up to a year. So this place basically runs on volunteers with only a few paid positions.

I have to say, throughout the day hundreds of people are coming by to tour the Abbey. They have guides, tours, or audio guides as they look around. But after the last ferry leaves or everyone is in their hotels, it’s really special to walk around and wander the halls and have the Abbey all to myself. My favorite place is St. Oran’s chapel where the acoustics are incredible and I’ve been known to do a little singing in my solitude there.

There are only 45 people staying here as guests so we have special access to places at all times of the day and night that others don’t have. It’s as if instead of paying 10 euros to visit a castle, you actually got to stay in the castle. I enjoy the early evenings the most when it’s quiet and the place seems deserted. Iona is truly a spiritual “thin” place where God’s presence is palpable.