Return from Iona and Holy Island

I have returned from my great Pilgrimage and Play adventure. 

While on the Isle of Iona and Holy Island, I found rhythm.  The rhythm of worship; the rhythm of walking; the rhythm of the tides and the sea; the rhythm of the moon and stars as they alone lit the night. I learned the value of adding rhythm to my life, and how that made my days more even-keeled, and how the moments in those days are meant to mean more than just the passage of hours.  

My intention is to continue this rhythmic walking.  I expect it to serve me well in how I ensure balance in my life.  I believe it will lead me to a deeper spiritual place in my heart and in my soul.

"We walk in the rain

sunshine

and wind"

    Iona Pilgrim

Homeward Bound

6am flight Edinburgh to Amsterdam. Then on to Atlanta. First flight-leg 1 hour, 2nd leg 11 hours.

Cappuccinos in Edinburgh, of course.

Now at Schipol, Amsterdam. Security when traveling out of the country, a real test of maintaining the peace and rhythm found in the thin places I have been. So far I have watched 2 jars of whiskey marmalade get tossed out. One in each airport. Gifts gone.

However, I was treated to a "massage" on the behalf of Amsterdam. Seriously, that is what I was told. 😊

Further gone

Now at Hilton Edinburgh airport.
Rain has hit. Along the drive signs were posted "Heavy Rain Expected". I wouldn't call them heavy, just constant.

We were so fortunate to have such good weather. It is the rainy time of year, yet we had mostly sun. A real blessing.

As we left the causeway to Holy Island, we were stopped for a high-speed train to zip by.

So one last cuppa before our 6am flight to Amsterdam.

Not quite gone

A bit of shopping. Then a cuppa for a walk in the very brisk wind. Storm expected, time to move on.

Lunch first. Soup and cheese toasties.

Leaving Holy Island

This morning following the services of Morning Prayer and Holy Eucharist, a blessing was given to those leaving Lindisfarne.

After breakfast it was back to the post office for cappuccinos and post card writing.

We have definitely established certain rhythms of worship and sipping whilst here.

This afternoon we leave for Edinburgh , Scotland where we fly out tomorrow morning.

Day 2 - Lindisfarne

English breakfast to begin the day, followed by cappuccinos at the post office.

Then off to walk the rest of the nature reserve. Brief detour to the dunes, deciding there were too many dunes to the North Sea.

Continued along the reserve trail, stopping for awhile at a bird hide. Inside the hide were windows that looked out on a small lake. Ducks, Coots, and a Peregrine Falcon.

Lunch of toasties followed by scone with clotted cream and, of course, a cuppa.

Wandered the beach, then Evening Prayer complete with outdoor procession with prayers to commemorate St. Cuthbert. We were graced with another glorious sunset.

Evensong

Just home as the day draws to an end. Service of Evening Prayer, followed by a procession led by the Vicar to the statue of St. Aidan to commemorate his coming from Iona in 635 to establish the church here on Holy Island. The church cat joined in the procession.

Leaving the church, we walked down a short path to take in an awesome, awe-filled sunset.

O Light of Light,
Keep me this night,
And shed round me
Thy presence bright.

Afternoon tea, Ginny-style.

Day 1 Lindisfarne

Up early this morning for Morning Prayer service. Turns out the Anglican way is to follow Morning Prayer with Holy Communion. Two for one as it were.

Lovely breakfast at the High Rigg House where we are staying. Then off to find a cappuccino. Turns out the local post office is all set up to brew.

From there we walked partway along the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve. Beautiful walk. We'll return tomorrow to finish.

Boats which were at one time used for fishing, are now turned upside down and used to store the fishermen's gear. They are called fishermen stores.

St. Aidan prayed;
Leave me alone with God as much as may be.
As the tide draws the waters close in upon the shore,
Make me an island, set apart,
Alone with You, O God, holy to You.

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne

We traveled across Scotland today, and tonight I am in England. Who knew?

The journey today began with the ferry taking us off Iona, to the Isle of Mull. Then an hour to drive across Mull, arriving just in time to get the ferry over to Oban. From there it was a 5 hour drive across Scotland into England. We drove along the North Sea and arrived in Berwick Upon Tweed and from there across the causeway where Holy Island becomes an island when the tide comes in. In our case that was 45 minutes after we drove over. It's quite a gathering place for swans.

It's critical to know the tide tables. People misjudge often enough that structures have been erected in the causeway for the stranded to swim to safety. Their cars have to be abandoned to the sea.

A highlight of the drive was the time spent driving through Loch Lomand National Park.

We are back to walking everywhere, beginning with pub dining tonight and Morning Prayer service early tomorrow.

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.'
And he replied:
'Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. '
ML. Hoskins

Leaving Iona

For those who depart Iona, there is a Leaving Service at the Abbey. One of the prayers is:

The Maker's blessing be yours
on your road
on your journey
guiding you, cherishing you.

Tonight's service was a combination Silent Service and Taize. Quiet time on a Sunday night.

Tomorrow we will be on the 9am ferry across the Iona Sound to Mull, where we will pick up our car and journey across Scotland to Lindisfarne (Holy Island). It turns out this is in England. Yep, I'm headed to England. What a surprise!

P.S.

I may have stayed on the beach too long, as the return walk pretty much did me in. I walked past a sheep that clearly looked like how I felt.

Day 6 on Iona

At the Harvest service this morning the lesson was from Genesis.

God said, “I command the water under the sky to come together in one place, so there will be dry ground.” And that’s what happened. God named the dry ground “Land,” and he named the water “Ocean.” God looked at what he had done and saw that it was good.

I have seen that "good" in everywhere I have walked, stood, or gazed out upon.

This day we returned to the beach on the north shore. It is about a 45-50 minute walk, past fields of grass and sheep. When the beach comes into view it takes your breath away. The surrounding islands are all hues of green and blue and lavender.

While on the beach, I created a mandala - out of seaweed, kelp, shells and rocks. A mandala is a prayer form which involves creating a circular design.

Tomorrow we leave this thin place where I have indeed experienced a closer space between heaven and earth.

Worship Excellence

With the worship service this morning, I have now attended 12 services of worship. Morning and Evening Prayer, Compline, Service of Harvest Thanksgiving.

I'm struck with the excellence of worship in each service. Led by both Iona community staff and volunteers, it is obvious that each person is intentional about preparation and presentation.

In the The Iona Worship Book we use are these words: "We will not offer to God offerings that cost us nothing."

I believe leading worship whether it be by clergy or laity, is an offering to God. And if we do not prepare, it feels like an offering without cost.

I take home with me a renewed commitment for those times I am called to participate in worship, to give to God an offering of my time to prepare and to serve.

How to get the day started on Iona

This morning the owner of Martyr's Bay Restaurant asked me if I was the one who had emailed some many weeks ago inquiring if I would be able to find espresso on Iona. Indeed, that was me.

How to end the day

Each night we attend worship service at the Abbey at 9pm.

Here are some images taken as we entered the Abbey on recent nights.

Day 5 on Iona - Dun I

Dun I, which means "Hill if Iona", is the highest spot on the isle. At 332', it offers stunning views of Iona and of islands to the north, south, and east.

Our plan today was to climb Dun I. It was not clear exactly what the route to the top was or how difficult it would be.

Fortified by breakfast, morning prayer, and cappuccinos we were on our way. As we began the climb the grass slope was gentle. Soon it was boggy, rocky, and far more difficult than we had imagined.

We tried different routes but each one presented different challenges. Though the intent was to summit, our bodies, and our better judgment, said no.

Accordingly, I could only offer one-half of a highpoint pose.