Week Two

The second week on Iona began yesterday. I am staying at the MacLeod Centre now. It was built in 1988 and is more along the design of our Lavrock Centre. There are six of us in the room with bunk beds. There are only 15 of us registered with our two leaders, Peter and Ellie. People are from England Germany, Denmark, Australia and myself and another Anglican priest from British Columbia, via Australia. We are binding together and we joined the Abbey crowd, who are studying Britishness, for communion this morning at the Abbey church. Today is a relaxing day and tomorrow we begin sessions. In the afternoon, we will make a trip to Staffa, an island just north of Iona, with an interesting rock formation, caves and puffins. Felix Mendelssohn visited there and wrote his piece, Hebrides, based on his visit. Other famous people have visited including Queen Victoria. Hopefully it stays calm like today, as it is a one hour boat trip there and back. My chores this week are setting up, serving and cleaning up from lunch, plus every morning after 9am worship, cleaning the toilets. Humility galore!!!!

Pilgrimage

Every Tuesday at Iona, they have either an on road or off road pilgrimage. I chose the off road. It is seven miles over the hills and bogs of the Island of Iona, visiting certain spots and pausing to reflect. The first stop was at the only place the road crosses itself on the island. At that crossroads,we reflected on the crossroads we face in life and decisions we must make. The next stop was at the abandoned marble quarry. The Iona marble is tinged with green streaks. The altar in the Abbey is made from Iona marble. The quarry ceased in the early twentieth century and the equipment is still there rusting. We reflected on the damage we can do to the earth. The next stop was at Columba Bay. Here on Pentecost Sunday in 563 St. Columba journeyed from Ireland and landed to begin the mission to the Picts of Scotland. This island became the home of his monastery to reach out with the faith. We reflected on beginnings and endings. We also had lunch here. The next leg brought us to the one pond on the island, the former water supply (water is now piped across the Iona run or tickle from the island of Mull) and the precious gift of water was the topic. The next leg was the Machair, the golf course and common grazing ground. We stopped for tea and flapjacks ( a type of oat cookie). Not sure what happens when a golf ball lands in some cow or sheep dung!!!! We went on over very wet terrain to the Hermit's Hut, a small ring of stones in a peaceful valley. We all became very quiet on this leg and reflected on the need to connect to God. It was then to the end at St. Oram Chapel, next to the Abbey, what was a mortuary chapel where many early kings of Scotland are buried. The pilgrimage began in mist and ended in rain. Needless to say we were all quite wet at the end despite waterproof clothing and good hiking booths. But there was something about doing a pilgrimage together that allowed us to journey on despite the weather. We were all one despite the hardships and we helped each other. It bound us together. I can see the power we gain as we work together. This was also seen as we did our chores in the Abbey together, chores such as setting up the tables, washing dishes, preparing vegetables, cleaning floors and toilets etc. A community was born even if only for a week.

Landscape

Scotland is so much like Newfoundland and Labrador. Coming by train from Glasgow to Oban, which is on the west coast, reminded me so much of Western Newfoundland. The tree and hills and rivers and valleys. Very much like Gros Mourne. The only difference was more deciduous trees. On the coast, at Oban, I took a ferry to the Island of Mull. Then all of us going to Iona took a bus across Mull to Finnophort to take a smaller ferry (like the ones to Bell Island and a little shorter run than that) to Iona. Here on the coast it is very much like rural Nfld, or the southern coast of Labrador. Waves hitting against the granite headlands. Waves and sea. Hills and bog. And rain, drizzle and fog. The only differences is all the sheep in the meadows. We have seen one sunny day, Monday. But been RDF most of the time since. Very much at home. And seeing how others just marvel at the scenery, (one loved hearing the rocks roll as waves left the beach) reminded me of how beautiful our part of the world is and how blessed we are to live there with nature, a place that many others yearn for.

Week One at Iona

Week One ended this morning with a leaving service in the Abbey Church at 8:15am. Then I walked to the jetty to say good bye to all my new friends who were starting their journeys home. This was a Family Holiday Week at the Abbey, so there were families there with children, from 2 years olds up to teenagers. There were also two church groups there with their priest and a groups of German Roman Catholic theology students with their teacher. I was the only Canadian and there was one American. My roommate was a young (25 year old) Scottish lad, the son of a Church of Scotland minister. It was good to become friends with Johnathan. The week was very relaxed, building community as we worshipped, ate and did chores together. I stayed in the restored Abbey which consists of the church, the refrectory where we ate and a cloister, the square walk about that was enclosed by all the buildings. It was good to chat and make friends and to share stories and life. For the closing Eucharist last night, they even recruited me into the choir, singing parts no less. The music is certainly one of the highlights of Iona plus their emphasis on peace and justice. I have only now discovered this Internet connection, so will try to add to the blog every day or two from now til I leave next Friday. Tonight I stay at a B&B and tomorrow go to the MacLeod Centre, the other building connecting with the Iona Community, for a week focused on Sexuality and Spirituality in the Twenty First Century.

Safely to Glasgow

I started my journey this morning taking the 5:52am train from Norwich, switching in Peterborough and arriving in Glasgow at 1pm. We travelled through Ely, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh. The trip began with the typical English rolling country side with sheep and cattle and farms. The farther north, especially north of Newcastle, near the east coast, it became more like Newfoundland, with hills and spruce and pine plus mist and fog and breakers on the North Sea. I do think I was a bit homesick. One thing that I was surprised at was the number of nuclear generating plants we passed on the way. I didn't realize the UK depended on nuclear energy so much. It is warm and partly sunny here in Glasgow. I did a walk about to see the sites. I am off again in the morning via train, ferry, bus and ferry to Iona for two weeks. I am looking forward to it, especially the second week which will focus on Sexuality, Spirituality and the Twenty First Century. But it will be hard work, sleeping in dorms and sharing the chores around the place. Hopefully I will survive!!!

Last Day in Norwich

Yesterday I visited the RC Cathedral here. It is similar in design to our Cathedral. A Scott did design it, so it might be a relative of our designer. Also visited a lovely garden here, which contained a small tree that grew from a sprig of Queen Victoria's wedding bouquet. At the All Hallow's Guest House, next to the Church of St. Julian, and Mother Julian's cell, there were 5 of us staying plus Sr. Pamela, who runs the house. Sr. Pam was involved with worship at Lambeth both this year and in 1998. Another guest is Br. Mike form the C of E Carmelite order in Kent, Sr. Agnes form the RC Sisters of Mercy in Papua New Guinea and Paul and Wendy, he being a lay chaplain at a college in West England, I think. He is starting the ordination stream. It makes for great conversation over the breakfast and dinner table. I am off to do the Labyrinth at Norwich Cathedral now.

The Church of England

The church here is different from home in many ways. One of the biggest factors is that it is the Established Church. Because of that, any person has the right to a baptism, a marriage or a funeral from the church, whether they are worshippers or not. I certainly would find it difficult to minister here, when I see my role as priest to encourage faith in others. But to do so, there must be some desire for a faith life. What seems to happen here is what I often try to avoid in Newfoundland, a cultural religion. People use the church's services because they can, not because it means a true faith celebration. But each culture must find its own way to spread the Gospel. I just know I would find it frustrating here, at first for sure.

Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary

The past weekend has seen me exposed to a very different aspect of Christianity for me, the adoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Last Friday August 15 was the Feast of the Assumption of the BVM. Friday evening I attend the 5pm Eucharist at Westminster Abbey which celebrated the feast. On Saturday, Steve and Jocelyn drove me to Norwich. On the way we stopped at the Shrine of our Lady of Walsingham, England's Nazareth, which is devoted to Mary. On Sunday, I attended mass at the Church of St. John, Timberland, which is the parish church for the church of St. Julian. There we celebrated the Feast with bells and smells, procession and the Angelus, in Latin. Only the Angelus was in Latin. The servcie was modern rite, much liek the BAS. Still an enjoyable service. Afterwards there was wine and nibbles for two men celebrating their 80th birthdays. The I attended Festal evensong at the Norwich Cathedral, started in 1090 and now with the second tallest steeple in England, and again the Assumption. Then this morning I attended mass at St. Julian's church in the side chapel, built where Mother Julian's cell was. Following the Eucharist, we did the Rosary, the Glorious Mysteries, a first for me. Rather an interesting and expanding weekend. Forecast for the week is rain, but the sun has appeared here this afternoon. Must go be a tourist and visit the castle before evening prayer at 5:30 at All Hallows House, where I am staying with Sr. Pamela and a new guest, Br. Mike.

Three Churches in One Day

I spent today in downtown London. It began in Southwark Cathedral on the south bank of the Thames River. It is the Diocese Steve Laskey lives in. Southwark Cathedral is also the church Shakespeare worshipped in fora few years. The restored Globe Theatre is near by, as is the replica of the Golden Hind, the boat that first went around the world. I also visited the Clink, the original one, run by the Bishop. Some horrible stores of what the Bishop did to people in his jail. Next I visited St. Paul's Cathedral. A large church full of monuments to war heroes. I went up the stairs first to the Whispering Gallery, then more stairs to the Stone Gallery then more steps to the Golden Galley, the very top of the church with a great view of the city of London.. The after walking the Mall to Buckingham Palace I attended the 5pm Eucharist (this being the Feast of Mary) with Steve and Jos at Westminster Abbey. The choir of Oxford College led the music. A very good service. A day of churches. Tomorrow its off to Norwish tomorrow with a stop at Walsingham Shrine on the way.

The Sound of Silence

One of the first things I noticed yesterday coming to the Laskey's was the number of people around. Walking in Heathrow to the tube there were the constant string of people. The same in the tube. I am going to London proper today and I am sure the same will be there. It reminds me of Toronto and my return to Newfoundland. When I returned to Newfoundland the night of July 16, having arrived back late at night, after midnight, I sat on my deck under the stars, in the beautiful warm weather we had, with no wind, and in the darkness listened to the sound of ...silence. It was heavenly. After three weeks in Toronto, especially the last week with Amy at Dundas and Church Streets, within eyesight of the Eaton's centre, and all the noise, the people talking, the cars travelling, the streetcars rumbling, the sirens wailing, the helicopter to St. Michael's' hospital at all hours, .... coming home to silence and peace and quiet and just bathing in the moment that night, made me realize that I was home. The excitement of big cities and the fast pace life is nice for a while, but life in Newfoundland is home to me. I could never truly live any where else and be content. I am sure this six weeks will be good but coming home will be better. The simple laid back life is home for me.

I have arrived

I arrived at the Vicarage in Forest Hill juts a short while ago. Steve Laskey has had to go and do a funeral. So I am going to lie down and catch up on the sleep that evaded me on the plane last night. (Six hour flight from Haliax that broguht us here 9:30am local time) One thing that I find enjoyable now, which I dreaded years ago, was chatting to the person next to you, and discovering a bit about them. For a brief moment in time, you connect with them and become part of their life, hopefully for the better. On the Halifax flight was a mother and her son, home to Colliers, returning to Toronto . On the England flight was a 12 yo lad returning home for 10 days, leaving his parents behind in Nova Scotia, where they have bought a new house. Then on the underground, a young lady was looking for a certain station and my helping her, with my limited knowledge, brought a spirit of thankfulness to her, to have some one acknowledge and help her. Another older lady asked me to remind her of the stop I and she were going to, if she fell asleep, for she did that last night and missed her stop. God places so many people in our path and it is a privilege to help them and connect with them for that short time. So I have ridden the underground and the British Rail and am now in Diocese of Southwark. Sunny and warm and time for a nap.

All Packed and Ready to Go

I have everything packed in my backpack, a gift form the Parish of the Good Shepherd, and ready to leave for the airport. I will fly to Halifax and then to London, arriving there Thursday at 9:35am. Then I have to get my first experience with the underground, taking one train, then switching to another line and then to an above ground train, where I will stay with Steve and Jos Laskey for two days, before Steve drives me to Norwich. The excitement is building, but also the nervousness about being away so long, and in a whole new world. I met with Neil Kellett yesterday and he gave me two more books to read. Will start one tonight on the plane. Pray for me in my journeys. And keep in touch.

A Kid Again

As some of you are aware, for my last week in Toronto, Amy came to be with me for a holiday. In one of the books I read about sabbaticals, it said you should travel and have fun during your time away. Well the week with Amy, I became a kid again. We went to two ball games, which the Jays both won, Amy was the good luck charm there. We went to the zoo, the science centre, the museum, the CN Tower, Fort York (which Amy wanted to see),the hockey hall of fame and lastly Canada's Wonderland, where Amy and I spent a full day taking every ride you could, except for the water ones. We went on roller coasters galore and loved it. It is good just to relax, unwind and have fun no matter what age. Too often we do not take the time to just enjoy the simple pleasures of life, of spending time with one another and doing fun things. The sabbatical allowed me to do that with Amy, and come away tired physically but refreshed emotionally.

Two More Sleeps

I am back again on the blog and only two more days before I leave for Europe for the next stage of my sabbatical. Lots to get done in that short time. I have been back now almost four weeks and it seems all I did was waste time. And time can easily be wasted. All the plans to do things around the house didn't get done (I can blame some of it on the weather, extremely hot the first week, and extremely wet the next three - not good for outside work). But the Protestant work ethic made me do a list of things to do while home, and not completing the list makes it seem as if time was wasted. But in some sense that's what holidays are for - a time to relax with no agenda and be refreshed. Still in the past few weeks, I did have dinner with friends, visited my parents, spent time with Amy, prepared for Europe and mowed the lawn between rain drops. The excitement is building for the trip. But not too much yet. Thanks to all who have read the blog, and your comments.