Traveling and Learning
I am packing my bags this month to travel to Scotland,
May 16-29. This trip is part of a two-year study experience
in the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program funded by Lilly
Endowment Inc. I will be traveling with four Church of the Brethren
pastors who also work in college or university settings. Our
focus question for the next two years is:
How can we who live in intensely cerebral
and rational contexts nurture a heartfelt
Christian spirituality that encourages both personal and congregational
growth
toward greater unity of head and heart?
We will explore this question through readings,
four weekend retreats in each other's settings, group and personal
spiritual direction, and this immersion trip to the Iona Community
in Scotland. Why Iona? Iona is a small island off the west coast
of Scotland, where in 563 Columba founded a Celtic monastery
that was very influential in its own times. In the middle ages
it was the site of a Benedictine abbey and over the centuries
has attracted many thousands of people on their own pilgrim
journeys.
The Iona Community, founded in 1938 by the Rev George MacLeod,
then a parish minister in Glasgow, is an ecumenical Christian
community that is committed to seeking new ways of living the
Gospel in today's world. Initially this purpose was expressed
through the building of the monastic quarters of the mediaeval
abbey on Iona and pursued in mission and ministry throughout
Scotland and beyond. The Community today remains committed to:
rebuilding the common life, through working for social and political
change, striving for the renewal of the church with an ecumenical
emphasis, and exploring new more inclusive approaches to worship,
all based on an integrated understanding of spirituality.
Throughout the year Iona has weeklong programs with different
themes and guest leaders. The theme for our week at Iona is
"Treasure in Clay Jars - The Church's Ministry in a Multi-Faith
World" led by Sam Randall and Denise Poole, who are both
deeply involved in interfaith efforts in Bradford. They will
share something of the way urban churches have been energized
by their encounter with religious diversity, with a view to
helping us discover a renewed confidence in living the gospel.
At Iona, regardless of the particular "theme" emphasis
for the week, participants for the week find a rhythm of spiritual
attentiveness that is focused through daily worship - morning
and evening. These worship services bring together word and
action, spirit and body, through a unique attention to all the
senses. I think this style of worship will help us look at our
head and heart focus and may give me some ideas to bring back
and adapt for worship at UBBC.
In the meantime I covet your prayers as I travel to this new
place to learn more about how Celtic spirituality is practiced
today in this vibrant community of faith.
Traveling and learning,
