Home Again Home Again

I arrived home at 1am on Thursday morning. It was a six hour flight from London to Montreal. Sitting next to me was a young man returning home to Halifax. He had just spent two and a half months in Uzbekistan as a fireman on their oil rigs. Interestingly, he had trained in 2000 at the fire training station in Foxtrap. On the flight home, we travelled over Labrador, the first part of North America we saw. After the flatness of England and France, it was so wonderful to see the tree covered hill and lakes of central Labrador and to know you close to home. I had a three hour stop over in Montreal. It was a summer day, 24C and sunny. So I went outside for a while. Many Orthodox Jews were arriving , all dressed in tradition black garb with curls and prayer shawls. Going to Israel I would guess. Then a flight home to clear skies and 3C. It was good to return. Now back to the mundane things of life (it reminds me of the mandala painting I did in Iona during week two; a mandala is a painting divided into parts representing your life and the bottom part of the circle represents the mundane of life). So off I go to finish the laundry and cut the grass. In the glorious Newfoundland sun.

Heathrow

I have arrived at Heathrow Airport (from where I now type this) and am awaiting my flight home. I leave in two hours. Yesterday I attended Choral Evensong again at Canterbury Cathedral again. Another great song by the boys and mens choir, a piece by Vaughan Williams, Let every corner of the earth sing (I think it was called). It rained yesterday and today. And I finished my time in England with kippers and bread for breakfast. I am glad to be coming home. See you all soon.

Canterbury

After finding my hotel, Millers Arms Hotel, which took a bit of walking around, quite a job with my backpack, I then started exploring Canterbury. I am staying in the heart of the old city with its narrow cobbled stoned roadways. I attended Sung Evensong last night at Canterbury Cathedral, a must for any Anglican !!!!, (what a great choir). I also attended the 8am Eucharist this morning. it was held in St. Gregory's Chapel, where a plaque asks us to remember Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1945-1961. Being a member of the local Council of Churches, it was wonderful to know that Fisher was a founding president of the World Council of Churches, a good connection for me. He was the first Archbishop of Canterbury to visit Rome, John XXIII, in 400 years, when he visited in 1960 and reopened the dialogue. This morning I visited St Dunstan's Church, where the head of Sir Thomas More is entombed. While in England last month, I saw the episode of the series, The Tutors, where Sir Thomas More was beheaded. Visiting the church brought that show home to me. Now I am off to visit more sites and then in the morning, the train to Heathrow and home at 1am on Thursday.

Paris

I arrived in Paris at 4pm on Sunday. Then I went exploring. I went to the Arc de Triumph (or something along those spelling lines) and it was free admission. Climbed to the top and had a wonderful view of Paris. I was amazed at how white all the buildings are. I then walked to the American Cathedral but I was too late for their 6pm Taize service, to which I was invited by the clergy from there who had visited Taize. Unfortunately the church was locked. Just down the street is the imitation flame of the Statue of Liberty and the tunnel where Princess Diana died. Then a walk over the Seine and on to the Eiffel Tower. By the time I reached the top, it was night and Paris sparkled with all its lights. I then phoned my children, and Bethany said being in the Tower was better than her studying English. I left Paris Monday morning, arriving in Canterbury via Dover ferry at 3pm, on a wet day.

Silence and Light

We have just celebrated the Eucharist and I am preparing to leave Taize to catch the bus and train to Paris for the night. The music will remain, especially since I bought two CD's, one of singing, one of music. Last night, to prepare for this morning's Mass, at the end of the evening worship was held the Vigil of Light, where everyone had candle and the church was lit with light. Their candles are dripless and go out after four minutes, like magic. One thing that will stay with me is the silence of Taize. At every service after the reading is ten minutes of silence. It is a wonderful time of prayer and reflection. It is amazing too how over 700 people, mostly young people, can be silent that long. The silence does feed the soul. (On the Taize site, you can listen to songs, see the music, hear the bells and also hear the Saturday night worship through Domradio (either live or recorded). The one I attended is recorded there. The link is Prayer & Song, then MP3 & Broadcast)

Adjusting

Like ny commnity life, you gradually adjust. Taize is more enjoyable now, I am more aware of the routine, I know a few more English speaking people, and the weather has warmed up, a bit. Tonight's worship ended with the cross icon in the centre on the church, laying flat, with a candle on it. People gathered around to pray. Icons and their adortion has never been a part of my faith journey and I am still mystified by it, especially the attraction for young people. It might be a Eropean mentality or maybe a Roman Catholic mentality.
Br. Aylos, the head brother, who took over on Br. Roger's death, spoke to us last night. He had been with Pope Benedict in Paris on Sunday. And I was in Paris at the same time, but I didn't see Benedict. Those from North America met with a brother from Philadelphia yesterday, 5 Canadians and one American, plus three Americans from the Anglican Cathedral in Paris visiting for the day. He explained some of Taize style and purpose. One thing is that Taize has evolved and is still evolving to meet the needs of the young who come. One example is simplifying the worship.
One last thought, Taize is best visited with others not alone. Despite the numbers, it can be a lonely place if here by yourself. It is not as suited to single visitors as Iona is.

Icons

The Church of the Reconciliation, as the Church in the Taize Community is called, is very orthodox looking, from the onion shaped steeples to the many icons around inside. Plus candles galore. I am amazed at how all the young people just spend so much time in the front the icons. At the evening worship, each night, when lot of the brothers leave, the others move near the front, and the icon of the crucifixtion is brought into the centre behind the brothers and people just pour into te centre to kneel before the icon and pray and worship. Part of it might be that the vast majority of people here are both Roman atholic and from Europe, especially Germany and Poland, where the use of icons is very pevelant. The music is very soothing as you worship, but very much in the monastic tradation of repeating the phrase, over and over. But in that way it is also very similar to contemporary charismatic Christian music, especially such as Graham Kennedric's from England. Still cold nights and mornings here in Taize. It does warm up. And bread and cheeze every breakfast.

Oddities

After two days at Taize, I have noted four oddities, to me anyway. Firstly, at the first service sunday night, there was no welcome or explanation or introduction to what the service would be like. It was assumed you knew what to expect, and for those returing that was true. Plus many first time visitors are part of a monthly Taize service at home. It felt like he brothers entered to worship and you were just joining them. Learn as you go. The second oddity, is that to begn the service, everyone faces the Altar at the front. But for the reading of the scripture, everyone turns around from their kneeling or sitting position to face the reader at the back. Then after the reading in French and English, you turn again to face the front. Thirdly, every morning at the end of the prayers, the bread and win of the mass is shared, but it feels strange receiving the bread and wine with out going through the service itself. As well, the wine is offered but only for intinction. Fourthly, where so much is sung in different languages, even though the English words are there, I sometimes feel lost. I can now know the wisdom of the 23rd article, woship should be in the anguage understanded by the people. I m sure this is how people felt when mass was in Latin, a bit lost, but still caught up in the mystery and majesty of worship. The music is good, the fod is basic, the sun is hot but cool nights, and the French wine under the full moon is good.

In Taize

I arrived safely in Taize today at 2pm. What a beautiful sunny day here in France. Not many English speaking over 30 year olds here. A couple from Australia, a couple from Vancouver, one man from Kent in England and a lady from Colorado, USA plus myself. I am in a dormintory with five other men. I have met two Germans and a French man who I am staying with. Yesterday's travels went not so easily. I left Jocelyn and Steves yesterday in south London (Forest Hill) at8:30am. I finally arrived at my hotel in Paris at midnight. Firstly to get to the train to Dover I had to go to London, but there was work on the local tracks so I went south before going north to central London. I had to switch trains in Ashford and arrived in Dover just as my ferry was leaving. So instead of the 12:40pm ferry I got the 3pm ferry. What a lovely crossing, though, sun and a light breeze. And what boats on the Channel. We arrived in Calais just to miss the train. So another hours wait. Then first it was a regular train to Lille (one and a half hours) before connecting with the high speed train to Paris (one hour). Then the Metro in Paris to my hotel. I had no euro change for my ticket and it wouldn't take my credit card (as all the booths were closed). Luckily one of the families on the train that I had chatted with gave me a ticket. The Paris subway is fairly easy to use. Then this morning early to Gare de Lyon station to get my train and bus ticket to Taize. Then a well deserved slow breakfast on the sidewalk across from the station as the sun rose. The high speed train to Macon, another 2 hour wait and finally the bus to Taize. The past two days have been full of waits, for each leg of the travel. But I am here now and ready to be open to the Spirit's leading. The train and bus ride to Taize was relaxing. Seeing the French countryside for the first time was very good to see. The picture is of the Gare de Lyon, the train station where I caught the train to Marcon, where I caught the bus to Taize. The other picture is of the village of Taize, the religious community of Taize is behind the town.

British Library

My trip to St. Pancras Station to try to book my chunnel trip, took me close to the British Library. So I made a visit. Quite a fascinating place. Many original documents. The Magna Carta is there. As well many ancient religious text, both Christian and other faiths. Original writings from many geniuses of the ages, such as Michelangelo, De Vinci, Darwin, etc. Several pieces from Shakespeare. Original text from authors such as Jane Austin, Thomas Hardy, etc. And musical scores from Beethoven, Handel and on. And my daughter, Bethany, would love the originally words from the Beatles, including one John Lennon wrote on the back of first birthday card for his son. So much history, so much creativity, so much that has given enjoyment and meaning to people over the ages. A great visit

Hi Oh Hi Oh Its off to France I Go (Hopefully)

As some of you maybe saw on TV, there was a fire in the chunnel on Thursday. A truck over turned on a train. Well the tunnel has been shut ever since and all trips for the weekend are cancelled. I went to book my ticket today, planning to travel on Saturday, but alas no such luck. So then I went to book a bus from London to Paris (the bus goes on the ferry). Alas, all buses booked fully from all those originally booked on the chunnel train. I did book a bus for early Sunday morning but that would put me travelling all day and arriving Taize at 10pm. Plus I had already had me room booked in Paris for tomorrow night. So I have a ferry ride booked from Dover to Calais for 12:40pm Saturday. Gonna try and take the train from here to Dover, then the ferry and hopefully catch a train in Calais for Paris. Then a night in Paris to see a few sights. Then off at 9:50 on Sunday morning by train and bus to Taize. Who knew travel planning would take so much effort? The last time they had a fire in the chunnel it was closed for close to a month. I was planning to take the ferry back to Dover, so I could see the white cliffs. Now I get to see them both going and coming. Well a long day tomorrow. (I did get to see the white cliffs on the trip to France with the afternoon sun shinign on them. Just see the picture. They truly looked so white. I can see how they meant so much to many during WWII)

Local Food

Being enjoying lots of fish and chips lately. Lots of grease. The interesting thing is that some stores deep fry the fish with the skin on. Still good. And for breakfasts, eggs, sausages, back bacon, tomato, mushrooms and black pudding. And in Scotland had haggis, neeps and tatties, which is the national dish with turnip and mashed potato. Must say I like haggis. Good to sample the local cuisines. Food on Iona was porridge and toast for breakfast, every day. Interesting how you can dress up porridge. They also are mostly vegetarian so lots of casseroles with vegetables. And they have a great book of graces.

Rain and More Rain

It rained in Carlisle all morning. But slowed enough in the afternoon to do some sightseeing. I also attended Choral Evensong at Carlisle Cathedral. The Men and Boys choir sang. Small in numbers but good. Their anthem was Bach's Jesu Joy of man's desiring. Wonderful. Tomorrow if the weather improves I will go visit the Castle and see some of Hadrian's wall. At Mel's in Scotland, his bishop, Bishop Mark and his wife dropped in Sunday on his way to the next parish north. A great couple. He hung around with the Nfld bishop's at Lambeth and Percy invited Mark to come salmon fishing. It is so good to experience so much of the different spiritualities around this part of our Anglican Communion, and see how different we really all are.

Back in England

I am now working my way back to London. I am now in Carlisle in northern England for a few days, then to London. I am due at Taize in France this coming Sunday. During the first week at Iona, one of the priest from London held a Taize service one evening, so I received a taste then. It was held in St. Oram's Chapel, the oldest building on Iona and was held in candle light. The singing was wonderful. There was also a German girl at Iona who had spent 14 months at Taize and she gave me some background. A bit nervous about going to France with little French ability. But i do have my sleeping bag for Taize. Every thing is very basic there.

Eastern Scotland

I arrived in Golspie in Eastern Scotland on Friday via bus from Oban on the west coast. The bus drove the length of Loch Ness, but no sitting of Nessie. I am staying with Mel Langille, from Nova Scotia, who has been a priest in the Scottish Episcopal Church the past five years (20 years before that in NS). Went with him to one of his three celebrations this morning. Yesterday he took me to Dunrobin, the ancestral home of the Sutherland clan, just up the road. A wonderful place. Queen Victoria stayed there for a few days and her bed is still there - horsehair mattress and all. They also had a display of falcons, owls and eagles on the ground. What great birds. Even when they fly just inches over your head. Mel is into bag piping and was out last night, so I read some Church Times (church newspaper) and started the book, The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas, coming out this week as a movie. I also watched a great movie, Priest. It deals with two Roman Catholic priests and their struggles, covering many issues - celibacy, homosexuality, seal of confession, authority, calling, forgiving, etc. It would be a great movie to watch in a deanery and discuss after. Very moving and thought provoking. I leave for England tomorrow, arriving in France later this week. It is interesting hearing the story of the Anglican Church here in Scotland. Very open and in the fore front of same gender blessings but that is rarely mentioned outside.

A Thin Place

I had over the spring heard the phrase 'A Thin Place', a place where the divide between earth and heaven seems thinner than others. Rev George MacLeod, Earl of Argyle and the restorer of the Iona Abbey in the 1930's referred to Iona as a thin place, so we were told. And it is true. Iona does have that mystical experience to it. You come and are enveloped in its spirituality. It is hard to point out but it is there. I guess that is why so many Scottish kings plus some French kings came to Iona to be buried. In the closing Eucharist, the Warden, Malcolm King, a Scottish Episcopal priest, said you cannot run away from your problems to Iona but you face them and he used the Thin place terminology. My two weeks on the island were refreshing and spiritual. A great place to be. And the friendships you make there strengthen your life. It was sad to leave, but as they describe Iona, it is both a receiving and a sending place. It is not a place you can stay. And so with some sadness but a new energy I move on.

Relaxation

The week at the "Mac" (MacLeod Centre part of the Iona Community) is going quite well. Friendships have formed. We have good presentations, plus good group discussions, including sharing in smaller groups. The discussion also continues each night at the pub following the 9pm Abbey service. Also as part of the week, we have done meditations and Tai Chi to help centre ourselves and get in touch with the Divine. Tai Chi is very relaxing. This morning we did it outside in the sunshine. However the midgets (flies even smaller than black flies started to become a nuisance). Also yesterday was a day. Some of us went to the west side of the island and took a dip in the Atlantic Ocean. It is just as cold here as home. I did manage to stay in about 15 minutes. The beaches are so sandy though. The worship the past two nights in the Abbey have been creative and enriching. Two nights ago the focus was domestic violence against women. Last night it was a service of Accepting ourselves. This including a paper cut out of ourselves and a renewal of baptismal vows and anointing. All accompanied by much singing. Of course all Abbey services include the residents from the Abbey itself and the public. The week ends tomorrow morning as we hold a sending service in the Abbey at 8:15am and catch the 9am ferry to the Island of Mull, then a bus ride to the east side of Mull for the ferry to Oban. I am then off to Inverness (eastern Scotland) to spent the weekend with Melvin Langille, a priest from Nova Scotia now working in Scotland. He and I plus John Courage and others did ACPO together many years ago in Halifax. Then its the beginning of the trip sound to arrive in Taize for next Sunday, September 14

The Sun Does Shine

We have had two fine days here on Iona. Yesterday we went to Staffa. What a great island. It has 5 and 6 sided columns formed from volcanic rock. It is just an amazing place. We could even walk into one of the caves formed by the water into the side of the island. The water was fairly calm and the sun shone most of the time. Today, I did the on road pilgrimage. We walked and paused and prayed along the way. The weather made it quite enjoyable. The people attending the week, while small in number, are great for discussions and chats. Most are Anglican but we also have a Quaker, a person from and emerging church, Lutheran, Roman Catholic etc. It provides a good mix for talking about the issue of sexuality and the church. More discussion tonight and the next two days on the topic.
The worship at the Abbey last night focused on domestic abuse and was very powerful. I am really enjoying the music they use from the Church Hymnary 4. Lots of contemporary but justice focused songs.