Sabbatical Ramblings

Beginning Reflections

2011-06-28T11:04:00.001-04:00

I'm back after some away time. I spent most of my daytime with Sara Miles, and the rest of the time with friends, which, if you've read anything by Sara seems singularly appropriate.

This time my companion book was Take This Bread - the spiritual memoir of a twenty-first-century Christian. Part of what appeals to me in her writing is that as a newly 'converted' Christian, Sara is more concerned about orthopraxy than about orthodoxy ... more concerned about living her faith than about articulating the tenets of her faith in compliance with any particular denomination's credal values. She quotes a "wise bishop" in affirming that "there's a hunger beyond food that's expressed in food, and that's why feeding is always a miracle."

It's why, after worship, we gather to share in fellowship either within the church building, or if a formal fellowship time isn't laid on, then informally around a table at some restaurant with those who hunger for more than simply liturgy.

It identifies for me, why there is also such appeal in her writings. For Sara, unlike denominational guidelines, refuses to establish criteria for who can receive food from her food pantry. The only requirement is a name so that you may be greeted by name by those who are helping. In a society where 'charity' is hedged with rules, regulations, means tests, and other qualifications, it's a refreshing change. In a denomination where there seem to be increasing numbers of restrictions, it is the breath of fresh air I needed.

I am aware that many of the rules and regulations, guidelines and restrictions, are for our protection, safety or well-being. But it seems to me that we can always justify the narrowing of the doorway, and all too often we do not even realise that we are choking ourselves to death until it is too late. I sing the "elders' lament" -- it wasn't like this when I was first ordained -- and I cringe to hear myself now sounding like one of that group. And yet, it wasn't ... there were fewer restrictions. Yes, there were also fewer protections, and we do well to seek a balance. But when it seems as though all communication is about further regulations, in a faith where the first rebel chafed against the restrictions of his day, I wonder if we are not in danger of losing touch with that which is most important, most significant, and most life affirming in our faith. Are we becoming the restrictive Pharisees, unable to see how we are using our own created rules to control that which cannot be controlled?

That is my struggle for this summer: to seek to affirm that which renews and enriches, and to discard that which stifles and constrains and ultimately, leaves me poorer.

Another Sabbatical!

2011-06-10T12:54:00.002-04:00

It's two years since I went on sabbatical, and I've decided it's time for another. Actually, it's probably way past due!

This time I'm going to do it a different way, a much more economical way, and I'm inviting others to come along.

I've adjusted the settings on this blog since in the past I was told it was difficult, if not downright impossible, to post here. I'm hoping that will help as we begin this journey.

The location will vary. Sometimes I will be away (vacation and some study time), but mostly I will be either on sabbatical in my office, in the parlour, in the church sanctuary, or on my deck at home. And at least part of the time when I am away I'll have internet access.

I'm going to take this time for reflection and for reading.

Conference weekend I sat down with a book that started me thinking. And it made me want to read the book which had preceded the one I read. So I set off for Amazon to find the book. It was there and I put it in my shopping cart, and then I glanced at the books below, where Amazon says, as clever booksellers will, people who looked at this book, also looked at these ... And I found another intriguing one, one that allowed me to dip into its pages, and as I read the penny dropped (or the light bulb lit, if you prefer), and I had one of those glorious moments and decided that it was time for another sabbatical, only one where people could come along with me. (We might even get together for discussion if anyone wants to do that!)

My focus will be on becoming more conscious of the holy in my life, and on reflecting that holy in my thinking ... and perhaps it will also be reflected in my living. I hope so!

The books which I have just ordered are Take This Bread: A Radical Conversion by Sara Miles book (it was her book Jesus Freak, which was recommended by a friend which set me off in the first place) and
An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor. (book) The two books together cost less than $30 (thank you for free shipping!)

So, if you're not over-booked this summer, and have some time that you might like to spend reading, I invite you to join me on a sabbatical of your own. I'm hoping that September will find us more reflective, refreshed, and ready to bring the sabbatical experience into our daily living.

Homeward Bound

2009-09-02T10:04:00.003-04:00

Well, I'm coming into the home stretch, heading home for the last time on sabbatical.

During this time away I've read John Bell's book "10 Things About Jesus .... " I wasn't sure what I thought of it at first, but he has interesting and sometimes challenging points. My copy is now full of my comments and markings, of significance to me alone, that will pull my eye back to what was to me a relevant point when I read it. I was quite surprised to find that he too is opposed to the "man of sorrows" description of Jesus - only he does a much better job of finding scriptural support for his perspective, but then, he was writing a book and I was simply reflecting my belief .... that's my story ....

I also had time to dip into the book I picked up at the Festival of Biblical Storytellers, on telling the Gospel story. But I've only dipped. My dipping tells me that I will be returning to it for further study.

So I have a week of sabbatical left and several books that have been opened but not really perused, which brings me to another reflection about sabbatical and sabbatical planning. I overbooked myself in many ways. I don't regret it but think that I had enough for four or five months packed into my three ... this final week will probably find me reflecting more and attempting to accomplish less. I'd like to put together the slide show for those without internet connection or interest in the blog. We'll see how I manage that.

And now ..... now I have a train to catch!

Update

2009-08-26T15:32:00.005-04:00

Well, I did say that I'd be back in Ontario -- I just didn't anticipate that it would be quite this long between posts .... but my little netbook is not always up to the challenge of picking up a weak signal and so .... silence!

I've finished one of my books -- "Re-Enchanting Christianity". I'd say it's a good book, but I find myself wondering if I only think that because we agree about so many things. Still, there it is. And I must admit that there was much that was challenging to me, and that dared me to articulate what exactly I do believe, and what I don't. But throughout this summer, I have been confronted time and again by the reality that the church is failing people .... we're failing to make connections between faith and the urgent issues in their lives. We tend to rely upon platitudes -- "pray and have faith" being among the most frequently quoted, when those words have absolutely no meaning for them -- and how can they become meaningful unless we help make the connections?

The other challenge is that when most of the "unchurched" think of 'Christians' they think of rigid and unbending people who are more concerned with ritual and tradition than with spirituality. Shocking, isn't it, that those who are seeking a more spiritual life, or a deeper spiritual dimension in their lives seldom think of the church as a possible source or inspiration? So many people searching for meaning, and we aren't even on their horizons -- and not always because of negative experiences in their youth. One of the comments is "I'm interested in the man Jesus, and I'd like to know more about him and his life, but Christians???? As far as I can see, they have no connection with Jesus and his life.

But think about our debates, think about what truly exercises local congregations, and then consider the larger issues of life and show me where there is an intersection. We debate what is worn by worship leaders (clergy and choirs), and people are being destroyed for seeking to vote in Afghanistan. We struggle with the best and most effective hours for summer worship, and the people of Palestine are oppressed beyond our belief (and we stop short of recommending boycott.) The economic situation is challenging at best, and we debate whether we appreciate what the minister said on Sunday morning.

I loved what I learned about Biblical storytelling in North Carolina, and all of my summer experiences have stretched and challenged me .... and now I'm in the process of assimilating what I've learned and how it has and will continue to shape me, and how I approach what we do .... And now, perhaps, it's time for me to get off of my soapbox (I'll be back on it soon!) and see how much more I can integrate .... and contemplate where it will lead me in the future.

Oh, and for those who don't have access to the Internet, I'm hoping to put together a slide show so that they can see where I've been, though that only barely touches the events that have shaped and influenced me this summer. There's absolutely nothing that can compare with taking a block of time to read, learn and reflect about ministry when one has been actively engaged in this life for some time. This has been so much more effective than a term at a theological college, no doubt in part, because I've lived the life and know where my questions lie. And the chance, provided most effectively in the UK, to meet with and discuss faith and issues with people who have absolutely no affiliation with any organised church, or even those who have only recently become involved has been invaluable.

August 11, 2009

2009-08-11T22:59:00.002-04:00

It was a wonderful day. It was also a very, very warm day! We visited the garden at the Biltmore Estate this morning, just as we planned. It was a very good plan. There weren't a lot of people around, and we got to enjoy the garden without crowds, and before the day got really hot. We congratulated ourselves on our planning , especially as we moved on to do our last shopping at The Winery (each section of the Estate has items in common, but also has items unique to that area, so we needed to be sure we had what we wanted from each part of the Estate.)

Then we headed out of the Estate, noting the darkening sky, and also the increasing crowds ... and were congratulating ourselves when the heavens opened and we were struck by a most impressive thunderstorm complete with very heavy rain. At the gates to the Estate we pulled over and waited for the heavy rain to abate, then went into the Gift Shop for our very last visit! And then, it was on to the yarn shop, where we did a little more damage.

We finished our day with dinner out, and the joy of packing up ready to go home ... next time I write I will be in Ontario - specific location yet to be determined, by time, inclination and computer access. See you then!

Catching Up

2009-08-11T08:22:00.003-04:00

Well, I warned you that the Festival looked as though it would be a busy time! It was a wonderful experience. The rest of the addresses by the keynote speaker were every bit as good as the first one. Good enough to move me to want to purchase his books about the Gospels (also titled 'Provoking') .... 3 pretty heavy books that had me debating how I'd get them home. But in trying to find a link for you, I discovered that a Canadian publisher (Wood Lake Books), not only had his books, but that they were considerably cheaper, and in Canadian dollars! When I also learned that they would ship them for no additional cost, I placed my order, and my books should be there ( I hope) when I get home. Well, if not this trip, then after the next one.

The rest of my workshops were excellent! I've learned lots, had the chance to use what I learned, and am wondering how this will play out when my sabbatical is over. Next year's Festival will also be at Ridgecrest, and you'll know how much I learned and enjoyed it when I tell you that I'm already thinking that I will be back!

Friday night I went to "Lighting the Fire", where for the first time we gathered around a fire pit instead of doing it in a circle inside. We needed the fire more for light than for heat, but it was fun.

Saturday's worship service was wonderful -- but then, all of the worship experiences were. Of course, on Sunday my novice group also had our first experience of actually 'telling' a Biblical story, so now I'm not actually a complete 'novice' any longer!

The Saturday worship was actually the grand finale of the Festival, and many headed out immediately afterward, going either to Charlotte or Asheville for their flights. My friend from Tennessee had arranged to meet me at Ridgecrest and picked me up and we headed into Asheville, home of Biltmore House and the estate attached to it. I just checked -- it covers some 8,000 acres!

We'd arranged a package that includes accommodation plus unlimited access to Biltmore House and the estate for the next five days. Wonderful!

I know it sounds excessive, but we've been to the estate twice and will be heading back a little later today. Included in our package was an audio tour, so we got to walk through the house with headsets, listening to a narration, not only about the rooms were were seeing (we visited some 51 of those!), but also with additional background stories. The tour of the house alone, with the help of the audio tour, took us around two hours -- and a lot of walking!

Also included was a buffet lunch at Deer Park Lodge which we enjoyed following our house tour. The estate is large enough to have shuttle buses that take visitors to the various sites on the estate, so after the tour we hopped on one of the buses and rode past the stop at A Gardener's Place (that's for today!) to Deer Park Lodge where we enjoyed a wonderful lunch.

While we were waiting for the shuttle to take us back to the parking lot (it takes the buses half an hour to circle the estate), we were treated to a very noisy thunderstorm passing overhead. Fortunately for us, there wasn't a lot of rain with this storm, and it was well over before the shuttle arrived to take us to our car.

We rounded off our day with a visit to a yarn shop (everything in moderation!), and then headed back to our hotel.

Today's agenda includes the gardens ....

I'm sure that you could visit everything at Biltmore House in one day, but you'd need to start early and just keep on going ... we've been enjoying the opportunity to visit a section, enjoy it, and then go off to do something else (or as on our first day, visit something else in Asheville and then visit the Biltmore). If you visit their site you'll have a better idea of what I mean -- the Estate is absolutely huge, and I cannot imagine trying to visit everything: house, farm, garden, winery, etc., all on one day.

And now I'm off to get ready for our visit to the gardens!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

2009-08-06T21:48:00.005-04:00

Well we started the day with another wonderful worship service. It's amazing what storytellers can do ... and they've given me some ideas. And then we went off to our workshops where my group practised actually telling the story of Abram (Genesis 15:1-6) We'll be telling it as a group during Saturday's closing worship.

After lunch we went for another workshop. you might remember that mine was "Grounding the body, Opening the Heart." It was wonderful ... it was learning exercises and massage techniques to help keep us grounded and open as we told stories. It was fun, it rejuvenated and relaxed us, and left us with some techniques we can continue to use!

Then it was on to the Keynote Speaker, who left us with some unsettling images and interesting and challenging questions. Tomorrow's presentation is addressing ways to resolve some of those challenges and promises to be very interesting.

After dinner we gathered for our "Epic Storytelling" Session. Storytellers signed up to tell parts of the story found in Genesis, and for just under an hour and a half, teller followed teller (or sometimes, pairs of tellers) as they presented the first 11 chapters of Genesis -- without notes! It was amazing and wonderful ... and we were blown away by how much genealogy could be committed to memory and presented in interesting ways.

We had a little time between dinner and storytelling and so I took out my camera for just a couple of shots.

My friend in Tennessee told me to turn slightly to the west and look south and the distant ridges would probably be Tennessee -- so that's what I did when I came out of the Spilman Auditorium

And though I didn't take a picture of the Spilman auditorium building (yet), I did take one of the building next store - which is where we registered and is just across the way from our Exhibitors Hall -- and though you can't see them, there ARE rocking chairs on the front porch!

Now doesn't that just look typically southern????

I went out for a short walk after I got back to my room tonight, met up with another couple of like mind. They were from the south and so I asked them what I could hear. They told me it was tree beetles. Then we heard something else and they headed off down the hill and I headed toward my room. It sounded more like a growl, and since they had just told me that a bear had been seen near one of the residences, just a cub .... but you know, where you see a cub, Mama is not likely far behind! So I thought it might be wiser to head indoors ... So I came to chat here instead!

And now it's time for me to say good night!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

2009-08-05T21:11:00.002-04:00

Well, it has been a very busy day (though tomorrow will be busier still!) I can't stay long since I have homework for tomorrow morning, and breakfast starts at 7:15 ...
I've been to the orientation which was fun, to the opening worship which was interesting and a combination of varied media and approaches, from a digital prelude to an intermingling/telling of 3 scripture passages and a Pslam with four people involved. It flowed, it stimulated and challenged and offered insight into some of what lies ahead.
From worship we moved to lunch and more opportunities to meet people from different places and different backgrounds. There are people from all over the United States, from different parts of Canada, from Australia, from Ireland, from Africa (the Gambia) ... those are the ones I can remember!
After lunch we went back for a presentation by Donna Marie Todd, who uses song as well as story in her storytelling.
Then there was a chance to check out Exhibitors Hall before we headed off to our first workshop (that's my homework - part 2 is tomorrow). We're learning God's Covenant with Abram -- an appealing technique, but a tad scary since we do it without any props (ie no Bible in front of us, and we're aiming NOT to paraphrase.... I did say aiming!) I tried to get a YouTube video of Amelia (our leader) to load, but it wouldn't for me. Perhaps you'll have better luck (or a better connection than what I have right now.)
After dinner we went back for a keynote address which was wonderful and posed some challenging and insightful questions. The presentation was by Richard Swanson

We've been having fun and learning lots, and now I'm off to sip some tea, work on my homework and then off to bed -- no time for photos today, but I'm hoping to squeeze some time in for that tomorrow!

Greetings from Asheville, N.C.

2009-08-04T16:39:00.004-04:00

Just popping in to say that everything ran smoothly this time and I am safely at Ridgecrest on the outskirts of Asheville. It looks gorgeous - tucked into the mountains. Will try to get some photos of it all for you to enjoy!My room is fourth from the left - ground floor ... see those mountains in the background???? This will be another land of ups and downs!

While I was trying to get a photo I was soundly scolded by this one and its partner ... nest must be nearby.
It's a beautiful place to be ... and it looks as though it will be an interesting time here -- even when I'm not outdoors enjoying the scenery and getting a workout from those ups and downs!

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that we were handed bear alert notices on arrival!

Festival of Biblical Storytellers

2009-08-03T14:49:00.002-04:00

Just a quick posting to give you as nebulous an idea of what I'm headed for as I have! My workshops are:

Novice Workshop 1 Parts 1 & 2 - Beginners Introduction to the Art of Biblical Storytelling: Genesis (Actually only Genesis 15:1-6)

Grounding the Body - Opening the Heart

Designing a Worship Service with Stories

Multi-Sensory, Multi-Media, Multi-Dimensional Biblical Storytelling

It seemed to me to cover the whole gamut, and also to give me tools for the 21st century. I'll keep you posted on how it goes -- unless they wear me out each day ... then I'll catch you up later!

And this is where we're staying.

Sussex Adventures

2009-08-03T11:24:00.009-04:00

Although I was based in west Sussex we didn't limit our visits to that area. We went back to old familiar territory (I lived in East Sussex for over a year!) and explored new along the way. I didn't keep a daily log of where we went and I won't bore you with it all, but I'll touch on highlights and if there's something more you'd like to know, all you'll have to do is ask.

We went to Battle and had tea, but didn't tour the Abbey, though we had tea at its very gates.

The Abbey entrance
Our tea stop just to the left coming out of the gates. Battle is where the Battle of Hastings was actually fought, and the architecture is delightful, as you can see.

Then we left Battle for new (to me) territory. we were on our way to Rye, an old friend, but stopped at Winchelsea to see the old gates from when it was a gated town, and also to visit the church. We were "chased" out of the church when school children began arriving in large numbers. It seems that it was prize day, and though we enjoyed some of their music, we had no desire to wait while each child was recognised for the year's progress. But Annette had noticed that Spike Milligan was buried in the churchyard, so we went on a hunt to see if we could find the grave. It is marked by a Celtic cross, now how appropriate is that???? Actually, it looks like a St. Cuthbert's cross (shades of Lindisfarne!) - all 4 arms of the cross are equal. (Hmmm, not sure Cuthbert's has the circle!) And we found him, or should I say it?

Then we continued on the Rye. Rye was one of the Cinque Ports ... interesting because the sea has receded, leaving Rye with a small harbour, but not the place of coastal importance it once was. It seems to me that they said that Rye is now some five or seven miles inland. That's some recession! Many of Rye's streets are cobblestone, very picturesque, but killers to walk on! And of course, it's on the Downs, which means there are as many ups as there are downs - sorry, just couldn't resist. But it is certainly in stark contrast to Essex county!

As we wandered through the various historic towns which have preserved their buildings, many of which are private homes, I thought they were wonderful to look at, but wondered what it would be like trying to cope with the realities of living with walls that are no longer straight, and roofs that seemed to sag, and decided that although I enjoy looking, I'm glad that I don't have to deal with them!

We also went to Bosham, (pronounced Bozzam, please) a lovely little town with a gallery of boutiques for artists and artisans. It also has the feature of having a street that disappears at high tide. Best you know or pay attention to the signs, otherwise you might come and find that you'd left your car in a spot that was now under water. It was drizzly when we arrived, and the tide was in, meaning that you could only see on white line for the edge of the road, but I didn't think of my camera until the tide had turned.

Obviously, the UK has come up with the means to have paved streets or causeways that are submerged under sea water for hours each day and yet seem to stand up pretty well to their submersion. Though I must confess, walking on pavement that has just recently been exposed by the receding tide, which may also have seaweed and other detritus on it, is not a favourite activity of mine. We walked along for a piece and then withdrew to higher ground, though we did walk all the way around the bay to the other side -- and all the way back, resisting the urge to take the short cut which was gradually becoming increasingly visible to us.

On our way home the weather didn't co-operate so we went to a butterfly and exotic bird sanctuary and enjoyed the opportunity to study both birds and butterflies that are not native to either country.

Another day we went to Seaford where you can see the chalk cliffs, and walk along them (sorry, I only went halfway up - but the wind was strong and I didn't want to have to cling to my hat, or fight against going for an involuntary flight!) We visited the Long Man of Wilmington, a figure cut into the chalk long years ago. I'd only ever seen him from the main road before.

We also went to Lewes, where we met while we were both working at the White Hart Hotel. That's where I lived when I was running away from "the Call", though I only realised that some years later. Because it's a town built on the Downs every street is up and downhill. I remember my first winter there we had a modest snowfall and the cars couldn't make it up the hills! But I need to point out, that these are real hills, not landfill sites that are little bumps on a flat landscape. If you lived in one of these towns, and walked at all, you'd be very fit in no time!

We went to Arundel and walked the paths along the river to the lake. We admired birds of every description. I found out what a moorhen looks like, and a water vole (Ratty from The Wind in the Willows, I'm told.)

I renewed old friendships and made new ones. It was a busy week and a good one. My last night there we went out for dinner with Annette's father and his wife, and were driven there in a gorgeous Rolls Royce (sorry, I didn't take my camera even though I know he is a RR enthusiast.) I think it was a 1981 Silver Shadow II -- I am sure of all except the Shadow part. Sorry, I think I just failed my car enthusiast's test!

And then, like all good things, my time in the UK came to an end. We left for Gatwick around 6 am, I caught the shuttle to Heathrow shortly after 7, and was checking in before 8:30 ... only to find that no gate was given because the flight (which they had assured on the phone was on time) was already delayed half an hour. That half hour became an hour and half, and even once we were boarded we waited another half hour for takeoff. That delay meant .... oh yes, connections missed - not just for me, but for a very long line of people. It wasn't helped by having only two people processing those who had connecting flights. We'd made our declarations, collected our bags, and queued 'forever' to surrender our cards and go on to the conveyor belt for "connecting" luggage.

I missed my flight to Windsor. And I missed the next one too because that's how long the line was for the Air Canada staff to try to find new flights for connecting passengers. All of them were not from our flight, and I understand the delay for us (and probably for them) was weather in Toronto which delayed the original flights. I was one of the lucky ones. By the time I reached the desk some 3/4 hour later, there was still a flight going to Windsor. Yes, I had to wait until 10:50 pm, and yes, it meant poor Jane had to wait till midnight, and yes, it meant that I'd been up for a full 24 hours by the time I got home -- but I DID get home. The young woman behind me had missed her first connecting flight (Halifax) which meant she'd missed her second connecting flight (Deer Lake, Nfld.), and there were no available flights to Deer Lake the next day because they were all sold out. I'm not sure what happened to her, but it was a great reminder of how much more difficult it could have been -- and it happened at the end of my trip, not at the beginning.

And now you are up to date!

Tomorrow I fly to Asheville, North Carolina for the Network of Biblical Storytellers Festival. I'm attending five workshops, and have received notice that I am registered in my first choice for each of those sessions. There are also Plenary Sessions with a Keynote Speaker (Richard Swanson), and other activities. our days start 7:15 and there are activities until 11:00 pm so I'm not sure how much blogging I'll do, though our information does say that our rooms have wireless Internet!

During my travels I did pick up some more books, and will try to add them to the side panel shortly, but right now, laundry, lunch and packing call!

I'm Back - but not for long!

2009-08-03T08:30:00.002-04:00

Sorry about the gap, but my friend has no Internet connection and it took me until the day before I left to discover that Steyning (pronounced Stenning) actually does have a Wifi Cafe -- too late for this time, but good information for future trips there.

So much to catch up on, so little time!

I've added a slide show to this page and will continue to add photos as and when I can, but you should know that there are now Sabbatical files of photos on my Flickr page. It took me a while to discover how to add them with titles rather than one at a time, and I also had to upgrade my account so they could all go there, but if you're interested in any one part (or all) you can go there and even have a slide show of just the area that appeals. You'll find me here My knitting's there as well, that's why I suggested you can check out the Sabbatical files. It even accepted my little video files from Inner Farne, so you can see the puffins in motion and hear the racket the birds make!

When I last "saw" you, I was happily riding the National Express train to London, enjoying the free Wifi, and not concerned with making my transfer to the cross country train that would take me to Shoreham By Sea, Sussex (not to be confused with Shoreham, Kent). My information, provided by the rail people themselves, printed for me by a delightful young woman in Berwick Upon Tweed (That's pronounced like an army barrack.) It suggested that it would take me 11 minutes to go from King's Cross Station to Victoria Station. No problem, since I had just over an hour between trains. Of course, things had obviously been going too well for me, so I should have known ... but I arrived at King's Cross (right on time) to discover that the Victoria Underground Line was being repaired or maintained or something, and was closed for the entire weekend. That meant that I had to take the Circle Line -- and there were 15 stops between me and Victoria Station. I watched the clock ticking and began being thankful that there were other, less convenient trains to Shoreham By Sea. But, we made it to Victoria with less than 10 minutes to spare.

Of course, we arrived at the Underground Station and had to hustle through Victoria to the Rail Station - not a problem ... but of course, we arrived in the rail station at Platform 1 and the train to Shoreham left from .... Platform 17! Not only were the platforms beyond 7 not in a straight line, I had to go around a corner, and keep jogging down and to the right ... and the clock was ticking ... Made it to Platform 17 to be told that in order to get to the part of the train that actually went to Shoreham (train divides in Haywards Heath, don't you know) I needed to keep jogging to the front four coaches -- that's past more than half a dozen other ones. I was praying that they wouldn't pull out when they could see me trundling my suitcase down the platform - but one never knows! I made it to one of the approved cars, got in, ditched the case, found a seat, settled, and the train started moving. But it didn't matter, I was on.

I thought it might be wise to check with another passenger to verify I was in the right car -- but the first one I asked had no idea (they were leaving the train before then). The second woman I asked looked at me strangely. I repeated my question. She stared, and then she smiled and said, "You're on the right train." And when she spoke I realised why she stared - she was hearing impaired and trying to figure out what the foreigner was asking! (And when those trains start up, hearing is difficult without any other challenges thrown in!) It was just as well that I asked her because the conductor never did make it to our car. But I did arrive in Shoreham (Sussex, not Kent), in good time. In fact, I was early enough that I could get a cup of tea and sit in the sun while waiting for my friend. And, there in Shoreham, little seaside resort with a tiny train station, I not only got an excellent cup of tea, but an excellent cup of Lady Grey tea! My absolute favourite!!! Wonderful!

So when my friend came scouting to see if the train had arrived, she found me sitting in the sun, my case at my side, sipping tea and enjoying the scenery and watching all the sunburned holiday makers hustling to and fro.

On our way to the car we passed a yarn shop, a real yarn shop, not one with a small corner given over to yarn, and I was promised that we would indeed return so that I could visit. But at that point our priority was to claim the car and head home.

Last Views of Lindisfarne

2009-07-18T05:12:00.007-04:00

The Castle in the background -- the overturned boats are left as reniders of the herring fishery which is ended because of the lack of fish stocks.

The Gospel Garden maintained by the Community of Aidan and Hilda (the community which also supports The Open Gate)
)

St. Cuthbert's Centre (United Reformed Church) one of our sister churches.

Prayer Request Tree in the URC Centre (St. Cuthbert's)

The ruins of the later priory. St Mary's Church lies behind the Priory

The Priory by the Heugh
A heugh is a stone dyke or wall. This is where the dolerite pushed up trhough the limestone -- you can see the upthrust piece of land to the left in the picture.

July 18, 2009

2009-07-18T04:44:00.002-04:00

Today I'm on the move. One of the other participants was also catching a fairly early train so we shared a taxi from Holy Island to Berwick Upon Tweed and boarded the train for London. After we'd agreed to share the taxi she called and changed her train ticket, so we're now on the same train. But we're not in the same cars -- and it seems that most of the seats on this train are reserved -- good thing I booked mine before heading out to Lindisfarne last Friday!

Yesterday was blustery day. I spent the morning going to the Heritage Centre where a copy of the Lindisfarne Gospels is on display. (The orignal has been taken to the London Museum for safe keeping.) There is also an interactive copy. Prepared by one man, Eadfrith in either the late 7th or early 8th century it is a truly amazing document, and the technology that lets you turn pages, magnify sections, have it read to you ... the list goes on, is truly also an amazing accomplishment of technology. If you want to see some of what I saw click here.

The afternoon was blustery and Graham said that the forecast was for more rain and increasingly strong winds, so, feeling the need to go out for one last visit I donned my waterproofs (jacket and trousers), pulled up the hood and set off for the Heugh, and the beach below. The winds were fairly fierce, and I was very glad that I had the waterproof suit. When I got to the beach I did wonder what had possessed me to make this final journey until I looked down. There at my feet I saw some limpet shells and I knew why I was there.

The night before, when we were reflecting on our experiences of the day and the week so far, Carol shared with us an image from someone else. She spoke of the limpets, a little sea animal with a conical shell that fastens itself to rocks and moves slowly over the surface feeding when the tide is in and it is safely protected, but which, when the tide is out, fastens itself solidly to the rock and stays there while battered by the forces of nature. As long as it remains solidly attached to the rock it stays safe.

She went on to tell us of a woman who had come on retreat to Lindisfarne, and who had taken limpet shells home with her. She took photos of limpets, and at home made sure that there were limpet shells in all of her favourite sitting spots. The shells were to remind her that as long as she attached herslef to God, and remained as solidly connected as the limpet, then she would be all right. The shells and photos were there to remind her, so that when her connection became more tenuous, she would be reminded to reconnect to God and all would be well.

I loved the imagery of that, and had wondered with Anne Marie (back on Iona) what the conical shells were. It was the captain of the boat that took us to Staffa who introduced me to limpets and told me what they were. So there I was, limpet shells at my feet, and just waiting to be gathered, as reminders for me, and also as something to take to our evening reflection before worship to share with the others. I gathered enough to satisfy me and then headed down the beach to the other path up. Back at the Open Gate I shed my very wet waterproofs (and yes, they were indeed waterproof!), laid out my shells to dry and relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon, working on my reflection for the evening.

We used the shells as part of our reflection during the evening prayers downstairs in the chapel, making me doubly glad that I'd gathered them. But i didn't get any pictures of them on the rocks -- the tide was too high and I wasn't willing to get too close to the edge of the water -- I didn't want to put the waterproofing of my hiking boots to the test!

I'm hoping that I'll be able to find some limpets in Sussex (if we make it to sea!) and take a picture there. If I do, I'll be sure to post it!

And now, I've just left Newcastle -- free wifi on the the train (how civilised is that!!!???) as well as an outlet for my laptop -- and I'm NOT travelling first class!

A Few More Pictures

2009-07-16T10:26:00.005-04:00

Here are a few more shots from our trip to Inner Farne
I hope you enjoy them!

Arctic Terns on the attack
A benign Arctic Tern

My favourites!

We're just looking!Photos courtesy of Jackie Walton

The Beach and Dunes at the Snook

2009-07-15T10:36:00.004-04:00

This is one view of the dunes at the Snook -- they call this land flat -- I'm not sure what they'd call Windsor/Essex since we did a fair bit of climbing!
The beach and dunes

The beach -- tide's out ... gives you an idea of how we can have a causeway of five miles .... though that's on the other side of the Snook. The Snook is attached to the Holy Island by a long thin neck of land.

This is the other side of the Snook -- the house gives you some idea of how high the dunes are.

The Snook, Holy Island

2009-07-15T10:23:00.005-04:00

The causeway joins Holy Island at the Snook, an area of dunes and slacks(damper, low lying areas within the dunes). We went to spot orchids and all the other beauties of creation to which we are becoming more attuned. We found several different varieties of orchids, and also discovered that many spots where orchids have grown in the past are bare. It isn’t clear whether this is because some of them bloom only every other year, whether they have been lost (dug up!), or simply that because this has been a dryer, warmer season, the orchids have already bloomed and died back.

This is either a common spotted orchid or a north marsh orchid -- they intermix, so it's hard to tell!

And this, I believe, is a Helleborine, but NOT a Lindisfarne Helleborine.

We were on the alert for the Lindisfarne helleborine which is rare and only grows on Holy Island. We found only a few, and they are not the best – but Graham held one so I could capture it with my camera and share it with you.

And as we were walking we were reflecting on creation all around us, offering prayers of thanks for the beauty that surrounded us, and joining with the Creator in declaring that it was very good indeed! (Or as one of my fellow sojourners said: it’s actually better than good, it’s downright marvelous!) And all growing wild in dunes and slacks!

Lindisfarne, Holy Island

2009-07-15T10:09:00.005-04:00

We started our first evening with a conversation about the “Two Books” and what they meant for us. The first book is creation which God created and deemed good. The second is scripture. Our week is to be spent reading the two books – truly seeing and seeking to see God in nature and to use what we see to reflect upon our spiritual lives and how we are shaped by our experiences.

Our first daytime adventure was to go and look at the geology of Holy Island, to see what was there, how internal forces changed the shape of the Island. Most of the rock underlying Holy Island was sedimentary, so we saw the limestone, filled with fossils of early marine creatures, and varying in colour from grey to black.

Marble/limestone with fossils

Limestone with fossils
But dolerite, (known in Northumberland as ‘whinstone’) forced its way up in molten stage, and so we have the breaking of the flat, horizontal planes with the thrusting dolerite. Part of the heat and pressure changed the limestone to a marble/limestone mix – and you can see in the photo the meeting of the planes.

The vertical rock is dolerite, met at its base by the limestone/marble mix through which it forced its way.

It’s enough of a marvel on its own but it is also a metaphor for us and for our lives. Often our lives are smooth and level, until something, not necessarily of our own choosing or making, forces its way up and through them, changing the shape and texture of them, leaving them transformed for all time. Like the limestone, we don’t have the choosing of life’s events. Unlike the limestone, we do have the choosing of how we will respond, of how we will take the changed circumstances and use them or be used by them.

Another aspect here is the cliffs that are made of shale - weak rock that crumbles easily. It too was shaped as the glacier flowed over it, forcing it into curving shapes as the glacier moved relentlessly on.

So we are encouraged to reflect on our lives, what their composition is and what impact life’s events have had on them. What has transformed us? How has it transformed us? How have we responded in the past? How do we choose to respond today? How will we prepare ourselves to be better equipped to deal with the unknown challenges that may lie in our future? Where do we find our strength?
That’s my reflection for right now. Recognising the shaping influences, looking for positive influences, identifying jagged or distorted places which need healing, or battered and worn places into which we need the gentle, renewing and energising life of God.

As Graham pointed out, we can’t control life’s events, but we can choose whether we will invite God to use those events to make us better or allow them to make us bitter.

The reference for our reflections began with Isaiah 51:1-2 “Look to (remember) the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn .... “ which was an invitation to look to our own history, and how we were formed...

July 8 - July 13

2009-07-14T10:54:00.003-04:00

The Abbey at Iona
A view from Dun 1

On the pilgrimage
St. Columba's Bay - on pilgrimage

Sorry, I'm too lazy to edit and post these notes separately - just skim!

July 8, 2006

Today was Staffa day, with morning prayers as usual, and an open session followed by an early lunch (run, Puffins, run!) Then off to the quay to board the boat for Staffa. Staffa is an incredible island, with the basalt columns shooting up from the sea. Out of the boat, and follow the path, which fortunately has a railing, though the rail wobbles a bit .... along the way to Fingal’s cave. The other path – stairs and then a trek along the cliff top takes you to the puffins, but I thought that my adventure on the pilgrimage the day before meant that I should give the extra climbing and walking a miss. The first photo shows you the climb -- if you can see the little landing mid-way - turn left for Fingal's cave, slight jog to the right and keep climbing for the puffins!

A couple of other views of Staffa
So I got back on the boat, and was entertained by the captain and his mate. They gave us information about the islands that we could see around us, and then took us along to the bay beneath the cliff so that we could enjoy the puffins at sea, as well as watch them fly up to gather near the people (who protect them from seagulls)

July 10, 2009
Moving day – up before 6, bag downstairs ready for the van by 6:15, into the refectory where the 4 early leavers, plus early riser Mark, gathered for tea and breakfast. Then off to the quay to catch the ferry by 7. Onto the bus in Fionnphort, and on to Craignure, where shortly afterward we caught the ferry for Oban. We had some time in Oban, time to make sure we had reserved seats on the Glasgow train, and to have lunch before we boarded. We arrived in Glasgow just before 4, where I discovered that the 4:00 train for Edinburgh was running just minutes late. I stepped onto the train, the doors close3d behind me and I arrived in good time for the train to Berwick Upon Tweed – actually, I was early, which meant that I could arrange transport to Lindisfarne after the tide turned, and go to a nearby hotel and have dinner, to be picked up and driven to the Open gate when the causeway would be open.

We timed it so well that the taxi was about the third vehicle to begin the drive across. The causeway is some 5 miles long, and there is a waiting point should you arrive too late to cross. Some of the drivers had gotten out to wander the area while waiting for the tide to turn and the taxi just pulled around them and headed across – it helped that the taxi was a high riding van since there was still water on the causeway when we began. Around the island are lists of tide times/tables, along with a poster which shows what happens if you do not pay adequate attention – the vehicle in the photo has water to its widows – suggesting that the tide comes in like it does on the Bay of Fundy and you might find yourself in feet of water.

I’d been told that the causeways are usually shingle, but this is a paved causeway. The taxi driver told me that is was a special tar that was used, but that the causeway still requires a fair bit of maintenance because of the wear and tear of the salt water bath it takes every day. I’d like to go back and look at the causeway, but have yet to get my bearings.

But as we were driving across the causeway, the island captured me. There’s something about the atmosphere, even though when the tide is low there are tourists everywhere (those of us who stay past the turning of the tide are in a special category!) There’s something about these mystic Celtic Isles! And there’s something about being able to settle, to look at all of the sights that appeal, but also about being able to take the time to relax and enjoy the atmosphere, and to have the time to be able to sit quietly in the chapel spaces, and relax in the chapel gardens, or even the garden of the B&B (or retreat house)

I arrived at The Open Gate at 8:30 and was shown to my room (en suite!!!!), advised when breakfast would be, and told when evening prayers would be held (9:00) though there was no pressure to attend.

I settled in and did arrive (a few minutes late, I fear) for evening prayers. The format is very different from Iona and yet there is a similarity. For the core of the faith is Christian, and there is no “official” Celtic spirituality, but rather a flowing and blending that has arisen from their understanding of their relationship to God, to their community and to their world (which includes the natural world and not simply the human world) A new phase, a new adventure. The person welcoming me is actually the person who will be leading next week’s retreat, and he affirmed, as did Iona, that participants are encouraged to choose how much they will be involved, to feel free to take part in as much or as little of the activities as meets their needs, and to guard against becoming overtired I’m looking forward to learning more, but first I have time to catch my breath and become centred in Lindisfarne, leaving Iona behind for the time being, or at least, letting Iona settle into my being.

July 11, 2009

What a glorious change. No rising bell, no morning tasks. Breakfast was pleasant, and Ruth, the co-director told me that they believe that The Open Gate should be a gentle place for the renewal of spirit.

No morning prayers on the weekends at The Open Gate, though breakfast is timed so that those who wish to go to St. Mary’s and take communion may do so and still be back in time for breakfast. I’m uncertain about St. Mary’s, thinking that the United Reformed Church gathering this evening might be more appropriate to my needs at this time. (All plans are subject to speed of dinner service – reservations are required for Saturday evening, and mine is for 6:30 – and I was lucky to get that! It seems Saturday evenings are very, very busy, though Jackie was surprised to hear that the first place I enquired - at 11:30 this morning - was already fully booked for tonight, and the second place I asked is willing to accommodate me in the bar, but the dining room was also fully booked!

Lindisfarne is a very interesting place. The churches co-operate with one another to meet the needs of spiritual pilgrims, complementing the services, not competing. For this reason the URC offers a service only on Saturday evening, so if I miss this one I will have missed my only opportunity to be with them, though I visited their chapel and their sculpture garden this morning. I have a leaflet from them that plans a silent walk around Holy Island, with directions for viewing and meditating as you go. It says that it will take 3 hours and I was thinking that I might like to do this walk tomorrow. But Jackie who is also staying here was talking about going to somewhere close to go and see the puffins. Our conversation revealed that there does not appear to be any cliff climbing involved, and perhaps I will go with her (she has a car and so is able to drive to the starting point which is not on the Island), so the walk around the Island may be delayed either by the time we’re gone, or until Monday. Puffin trips are weather dependent so she is planning to call tomorrow morning to find out if the trips are on or not.

July 11, 2009
I finished dinner in good time for the service at the URC Centre (St. Cuthbert’s) Those who were present early were asked to read prayer requests during the service. The Centre is open all week and in the entry is a tree with stained glass pieces hanging from it. Visitors are invited to write their requests on the paper provided (Post-It notes) and add them to one of the pieces of stained glass. These requests are gathered prior to the service, and it was these that we were asked to read at the appropriate time. Already I’m wondering how we could adapt this for our use – having a place whee the requests could be written at any time during the week, and incorporating them into the prayers o the people.
We began with singing “Be Still for the Glory of the Lord...” Though we counted only 12, it was lovely, and it was a lovely service, taken from the “Wee Worship Book” from the Community of Iona, but it followed a familiar format. In lieu of a meditation we reflected upon the OT reading of David dancing before the ark as it was moved to Jerusalem. After the service we discovered that there were 3 Canadians (all staying at the Open Gate), 6 Americans, and 3 locals, one of whom is not truly local, but has been living here and soon will be moving on to Canada to work at one of the L’Arche communities in Nova Scotia, probably in Cape Breton. It has been an amazing discovery for me to learn just how many young people are using their first years after university, or between university years, to work as volunteers in a variety of communities. They were present in Iona, they are present in this community, and they move on from each experience to another one, giving of their time and themselves generously and cheerfully. They come from all over the world, are from a variety of backgrounds, but care passionately about the world and the people of the world. Most of those I have encountered are working in ecumenical settings – not affiliated with a specific denomination. There is a lesson here, and we’d do well to learn it if we truly wish to connect with them in their faith journey.
When I introduced myself to the minister, he commented that we are from sister churches. The United Reformed Church is a uniting of the Presbyterians, the Congregational, and the Church of Christ. We compared notes on our similarities and our differences (no Methodists in their union, and no Church of Christ is ours). He was leavingSunday morning for a week’s holiday in London. They were going by train and visiting all the sights that tourists do. He commented that a simple movie night for them meant a drive of 160 miles, and tides had to be taken into account. He said if you wanted a movie evening you might as well book a hotel or B&B for the night. It certainly put things into a new perspective. And that’s simply living on a tidal island! Fancy having to build in a ferry or two as they do on Iona. And I never even saw a movie theatre on Mull – perhaps there’s one in Tobermory ... Videos and DVD’s would definitely be more the thing there!

July 12
Good morning, Lincoln Road!

It rained during the night, possibly heavily, but the morning brought clearing skies – and the boat trip is on. The first sailings were full, so we are booked on the noon sailing, leaving here at 10:30 – more later!

What a glorious day! The sky was “interesting” but the seas were calm, other than the usual roll of an open boat. We saw a huge variety of sea birds, and seals sunning on the rocks. The seals largely ignored us. They’re obviously used to the boats coming round and know that the boats don’t land and though people may be close, they will not be close enough to hurt them. But they were basically silent. Seals have an eery call, sounding mournful – but not this bunch!
We landed on Inner Farne Island (the cruise was of the Farne Islands, and we left from Seahouses) As soon as we left the concrete causeway that led from the boats to the board walk we were under attack by the Arctic Terns. Apparently, as soon as the board walks were built, the terns decided that this would be a good nesting space, and so there are hundreds of nests with young terns either in them or close by. The arrival of people sets off the parent birds who immediately attack – and I do mean attack. We were warned to wear hats. I was thinking it was to protect us from bird droppings, which is indeed part of the attack, but more importantly, it was to protect our heads from the sharp beaks, since the adults don’t simply swoop close, they attack. One man, who was hatless, was bleeding from the pecks to his head. Trying to get past their nesting area was like running the gauntlet!
But once past, we found other nesting areas (fenced off to protect the birds.) There were cormorants and shags, other species I’ve yet to identify, and there were puffins, lots and lots of puffins.
Puffins are the clowns. They’re cute, timid, and awkward. When they fly their feet stick out to the sides of their bodies. When they land, it is with resignation - they put their feet down and sort of plop down. But they are cute, and they capture the hearts and imaginations of most people. I managed to get some fairly good pictures of them. Now to find internet access that gives me sufficient time to add some pictures to this, or to somewhere else.
We enjoyed our hour on the island, but did not relish running the gauntlet to get back to the boat. As we were headed back we found a young Arctic Tern that was on the wrong side of the fence. It was trying to get back to the nesting area, and kept sticking its head through the chicken wire fencing to see if it could just go directly back. It was much too big for that! So, diving parents and lots of people notwithstanding, I thought I’d see if I could encourage it to turn around (it was getting farther and farther away from the gap in the fence it must have come through) and head it back to safety. I stood directly in its path, which did indeed prompt it to turn around and walk the other way. It stuck close to the fence, and every time it thought I might have disappeared, it turned around, saw me and would turn back around and walk farther. Before we were finished, it almost seemed as though it was turning around, like a typical kid, to ask “Are we there yet?” Only to sigh and turn back around and keep on trucking. When we reached the opening, it stopped, moved forward, hesitated, and then moved well into the protected area. I didn’t stick around to see if it would be foolish enough to come back out again. I thought that I’d done my random act of kindness for the day and couldn’t miss my boat for any further rescue missions!
After our hour on the island we set sail for our home port. The ride back was a little choppy, but we were dressed for the spray, and since we were sitting in a more protected area, we got less spray on the way home than we had on the trip out!

July 13
Jackie and I decided to do the “Walk Around Holy Island in Silence” tour that was laid out in a brochure from the URC. We agreed to keep silence, and we did that well. We’d catch one another’s eye when it was time to move to the next stage, but it was an opportunity to witness and pay tribute to all the evidence of God’s active presence in the world around us. We walked over a mile to the gates outside the castle, pausing to sit on rocks there to contemplate the view – the sea spread out before us, the castle behind us, the town left well behind, the grasses, wildflowers, mosses and lichens. All this beauty to a haunting accompaniment of the seals calling to one another. And, of course, the noise of the chitter chatter of others as they climbed toward the castle. It was amazingly busy though the castle was closed. Our directions were simple and could be followed by anyone anywhere: give yourself some space and simply look around you, noticing what is there - at a distance and close at hand. Notice the colours, shapes and textures. Watch how tings move in the breeze or wind ... how the water reflects the sky ... the movement of the waves (okay, if you aren’t near water that last part will be a challenge!) Resist your desire to think about what you are seeing. Watch simply .... give it no meaning .... see only creation being itself ...
We then passed by the castle and went to the walled garden, admiring the flowers that were there. They’re “old fashioned” flowers. The garden was designed and planted in the early twentieth century and has been kept to the original design. It serves as a reminder that there is and always has been beauty, even without a great deal of our intervention. It was also an opportunity to add the beauty of the fragrance of a garden to our awareness of creation. Here the instructions were very simple: Again, resist the temptation to name everything you notice; simply enjoy your God-given sense of smell.
We continued on our walk to a spot that overlooked rocks and the sea, and sat. Here we were invited to feel. To feel what we were sitting on, to feel the breeze or the wind or the stillness, to pick up a stone or rock and feel its texture and shape. Again we were invited not to think but to let it be.
The next stop was at a hide overlooking the Lough (lake). Hidden from the birds on the lough we were invited to listen. This proved a challenge initially because there was another group there, and one woman persisted in speaking at the top of her voice – she couldn’t find anything sacred about any of this. But then I doubt she ever stopped talking long enough to listen for the divine. Nor did she allow anyone else around her the luxury of silence. She took offence when another woman stepped into the hide, pronounced “too noisy” and withdrew. We both sighed with relief when they took themselves off and silence settled in the hide – and we could hear the chatter of the birds and relax into the peace and tranquillity of the lough. We listened to the rustle of the reeds, the call of the birds, the creak of the bench (or was that my knees???)
When we left the lough we followed the path to the sand dunes, at which point we felt a few drops, quickly put on our jackets and ... the heavens opened! Our jeans got wet, but we were mostly dry (lesson well learned in Mull – never go out without your waterproof handy!) – the rain was very, very heavy, but then it ended, and the sun returned and we continued our walk. We did not go down and taste the sea water – we’d done quite enough of that the day before, and we surely were aware of the feel of being wet!
Then we headed for the town (village, I guess) ... watching for the Pirri Pirri Burrs - an import from New Zealand that they are trying to contain and keep from spreading. So when we cleared that section of the path we “deburred” before carrying on. Along the way we paused to enjoy the dancing butterflies, the colours of the wildflowers, all the beauty that is so often ignored or taken for granted.
The instructions for the final part of our walk are excellent for wherever and whenever we can or will take the time:

Mull over what you have seen.

How have you met with God during this time? What might God have been saying to you? Might there be something to offer to your community when you get home .... Some new insight, a smidgeon of new peace or wisdom????

Take time to be with God, to let God speak with you as you prepare to follow God back into your community, symbolised now by Holy Island (or wherever you do this exercise)

Walk back, and as you walk back, give thanks for what you have seen, heard, felt, tasted and experienced. Let the experience become embedded in your memory - and walk knowing the grace of God.

Later ....

Thank You!

2009-07-09T09:27:00.002-04:00

The seven mile pilgrimage has come and gone. I went on it, and survived! So thanks to all who supported me in their thoughts and prayers. It was a gorgeous day with some stiff climbing and boggy patches, but I made it from start to finish. I even managed a few photos which I hope to post - probably when I move on to Lindisfarne, since this is a fairly briskly paced programme - particularly for a non-programme week.

It has been a wonderful experience, but I need a breather so that I can begin to process all that has happened here, and share it with you.

Yesterday was our trip to the Isle of Staffa, home of Fingal's cave (inspiration for Mendelssohn's Hebridean Overture [I think I have that right but will check later]. If you've been to the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, then you might be interested to know that this is the other end. Staffa is also home to many, many puffins, who love being near people because they keep the seagulls away from them. Another gorgeous day, though those on one side of the boat were absolutely soaked before we reached the island. It was a much less eventful trip home. More later, but this is our last day on Iona so every last minute thing has to be squeezed in!

July 6, 2009

2009-07-06T11:01:00.000-04:00

The service was over an hour long, and more traditional than I had expected. We read an affirmation of faith that has me thinking about what I believe and what I don’t. As you may have guessed, there was something in the affirmation which I do not believe. It will be a good starting point for some contemplation and exploration about what it is I believe and what I do not. My statement of faith today would be very, very different from any statement I might have made or written when I was ordained in 1982. I’m hoping for some quiet time here so that I can reflect more deeply on it all.

Lunch was more “ Sunday dinner” than lunch. As a Puffin I was there half an hour before and they laughingly told us that this was the only time we’d need to set the table this way, and that it was the only time we’d need to be there half an hour before. Since Puffins were on duty we were responsible for serving and clearing as well as setting up. The server at the head of the table fills plates and passes them down. I sat at the other end, to help clear, and make sure everyone had what they needed. The meal was a choice of two cassolets (casseroles to North Americans – difference here being that casseroles do not contain legumes ) One was vegetarian and one had Meat!!! Meat only being served here twice a week, this is the staff’s big treat. And, being Sunday, there was pudding (dessert other than fruit).

In the afternoon I tried the Dun Ean climb but turned back. I’d taken a slight wrong turning and was afraid I’d get myself into trouble. I’m not a great one for heights, so am wondering why I set myself the goal. (Perhaps because it was there.) I went instead to the North Beach and took photos there. But I did take some photos from the point I did achieve on Dun Ean ... the most difficult part of the entire climb, I’m told.

At supper, one of the return visitors told me that none of the pilgrimage is as steep as Dun Ean and that the pace is gentle. So now I’m back to debating. The decision has to be made by tonight. I’ll keep you posted.

And now it’s time to learn more about Celtic Spirituality.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 15:20-18:10

July 5, 2009

2009-07-06T11:00:00.003-04:00

After a simple breakfast we were “assigned” our tasks. In reality, all of the tasks are on laminated cards, which the Housekeeper holds in her hand, fanned out face down. Each person draws a card and discovers what their ‘duties’ will be. I was third last, and opted for the middle card .... and I’m hoovering (vacuuming) one of the halls for the week. The card I passed over was drawn by Elaine from Norwich (England, not Ontario) and she is on toilet duty! How close I came!

The service this morning, because it is Sunday is at 10:30 and will be a communion service. Lunch today, because it is Sunday, will actually be ‘dinner’ - the main meal, and will feature meat of some description, I was told - because it is Sunday. The other meat day is Tuesday, following the pilgrimage. I’m having some second thoughts about that pilgrimage – 7 hours without a toilet! ...

First I want to climb Dun Ean - the main “hill” on Iona. I was told it is a good indicator of what to expect. And I must confess that the promise of boggy bits, and the risk of ticks are not entirely enticing!

Time for church!

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 13:9-15:19

July 5, 2009

2009-07-06T11:00:00.001-04:00

July 4, 2009

2009-07-06T10:59:00.000-04:00

A leisurely start, and then off to the ferry to Iona. Barry brought me to the ferry in good time for the 10:30 sailing. I wasn’t expected at the Abbey until after the 2:25 ferry, so I left my suitcase in the designated shed and set off to explore. I walked along the road, looking more closely at the rock because of what Barry had told me. It was intriguing. There is a difference that is visible – if you know to look.

The first dramatic difference that I noticed on my own is that Iona is fenced. There sheep grazing everywhere, just as there on Mull, but whereas in Mull you encounter sheep on the road, on the roadsides and in the fields, on Iona the sheep are all behind fences.

There are also little stands at the end of many farm laneways with Iona marble for sale. You can chose from a variety of shapes and sizes, and prices, when converted start at just under $1 and range upward to less than $5. Just what I need – rocks for my luggage!

I wandered to the end of the paved road and found myself at the West End Common Grazing – with a gate and a sign asking that the gate be kept closed. I wandered in - but there did not appear to be a clear path leading onward, except down to the beach. (I had hoped to find a circular route so that I could keep going but no such luck!)

It was an absolutely gorgeous day – a short sleeve day as my friend who lived her some time ago would call it.
I meandered back and had time for a leisurely lunch before the expected ferry arrived, had already retrieved my luggage and identified the Iona van and transferred my case so that I didn’t have to do the 10 minute walk uphill dragging my case behind me.

We were welcomed to the Abbey with cups of tea and coffee, then shown to our rooms (bunk beds for 2, none of this dormitory of 4 or 5 people in a room – it seems that’s at the MacLeod Centre). Then we were free to explore until 6:30 when we could gather for supper. The meal was a little later than normal because a fairly large group was arriving on the second afternoon ferry that had connections from Glasgow and points beyond. (Not all of the ferries from Oban are met with buses that travel to Fionnphort and connect to the Iona sailings.)

We used the afternoon to explore the Abbey (the residential part is connected to the Abbey itself and is like a rabbit warren.) And the grounds of the Abbey and the area around it. Ann Marie and I walked to the North Beach, a place where the light is gorgeous and so is the scenery. We wandered the beach, waded a bit – that water is very, very cold!!!!! – gathered some shells and some small stones (free!) And then headed back. During our explorations, the skies clouded over, and it rained, but we were still in full sunshine and so saw the most gorgeous rainbow, joined shortly later by a second, paler, second bow. Then the rain stopped and we enjoyed the sunshine once again. That’s the weather on Mull and the weather on Iona – sunny, cloudy, rainy, lovely – and little predicting of what will follow next.

At 9:00 we gathered for a brief service in the Abbey church, followed by tea, coffee and cookies (biscuits to the Brits) and conversation.

Breakfast is at 8:15, rising bell is run g at 7:45 .... and unless you’re an Otter, you simply have to be there for breakfast at 8:15. The Otters set up for breakfast and are the servers at the breakfast tables. I’m a Puffin. We have lunch duty, and a few others besides. Sunday is the day for assigning tasks. I’m sure I’m up for a week of cleaning toilets – whatever job you get the first full day here, is the job you have until you leave!

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 10:14-13:8

July 3

2009-07-06T10:57:00.001-04:00

My evening meal was excellent! They served blackcurrant sorbet that was to die for! And they had Earl Grey tea. But they were 20 minutes late opening (6:20 instead of 6:00) so it was past 8:00 when I left – past the start time of the concert. When I reached Achaban I could see the cars parked on the side of the road for the concert, but thought it was much too late to go so headed to my room instead. And indeed, those who attended the concert came in about half an hour later, so I was much too late to get full benefit.

I neglected to mention that when I took the bus from Craignure to Achaban (Fionnphort), there was a family, also North American, who were anxious to get to Fionnphort. It seems that they had tickets for a tour of Mull, but had difficulty identifying which of the coaches they were supposed to board, and had missed it. Part of their tour included Iona, and they were eager to visit the island. It seems that Anne Marie was going to be spending a week on Iona while the rest of her family was returning home to Boston. So, I’ve met one of my fellow participants in community living! Anne Marie is a United Methodist minister who is working in a not for profit agency, and is also on sabbatical, though it sounds as though the nature of her work is such that she doesn’t get to as fully on sabbatical as I (grant applications, etc. wait for no one!) She, too, is staying at the Abbey (participants stay at the Abbey or the MacLeod Centre), so I know that there will be at least one friendly face there on Saturday!

It was a rainy morning, and jet lag hit today so I had a very leisurely start. It was past lunchtime before I headed out for a walk. It was one of those days when one minute it was raining and the next it was not, so donning my rain gear, I figured I would make it clear up by dressing for the worst it could do. (And I am beginning to appreciate those hiking shoes!)

I went right down on the beach this time, and meandered around. Then I headed to the pub, where they serve tea and coffee as well as other beverages. The hosts of the B&B, Gill and Barry Morley, were there, taking a break from their duties and we had an interesting chat. Barry was adding to the information that Mary of Linnhe View had given me.

Mull is an island of volcanic rock. There are other kinds of rock on Mull (there’s a granite quarry somewhere around here.) But Mull was formed by volcanic action, as was Staffa, an island that I will be visiting during my Iona stay (weather and water conditions permitting.) But Staffa is basalt rock, not the same as Mull, and the geological evidence is that it was formed all at once. It is geologically the same as Northern Ireland ... which might explain that when I was looking at some photos I was reminded of those I had seen of the Giant’s Footsteps in Northern Ireland. Iona, however, just a 10 minute ferry across the Sound of Iona, has no stone in common with Mull. They are not geologically connected in any way, even though geographically they are so close to one another. Iona has geological characteristics in common with northern Africa. Interesting and very, very intriguing. Mull is known as “The Fairest of the Isles,” and I must confess that when I gifted myself with a couple of days here to adjust to the time change, I had no idea that there would be so much to see. Lots of walking trails, and lots of wildlife: eagles, sea otters, minke whales, orca, puffins ... the list seems endless. So it will be the same as always – so much to see and not enough time to do it all. I’m thankful for the time I had.

When I came out from dinner, around 8, the rain had cleared, and the sun was shining, and the light was different. There is a unique quality to the light, and I’m not sure whether or not the camera has been able to capture it.

Barry also told me that he agrees with so many others: whether you are ‘religious’ or not, there is “something” about Iona that is unique and that you can feel. Tomorrow I will find out for myself!

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 8:2-10:13

July 2

2009-07-06T10:54:00.001-04:00

After breakfast, I took off for a hike through a forest trail, recommended by Mary, the owner of the B&B. I was catching the bus to Fionnphort just before 1 pm, but had lots of time for a walk. The sun was shining and it was lovely, so, having packed up my belongings, I left my suitcase, my backpack and my hiking boots at Linnhe View and set off.

I love this island. I love the rugged terrain, the mountains, the woods, the water. What more could anyone ask? The trail in the forest was NOT paved, so it was a delight under my feet. I was in sandals, but it wasn’t that difficult a walk and these are solidly supportive sandals (the kind I wore in Israel, and Ireland and the DR .... in other words, tried and true friends!) The trail was fine – more like a narrow road, and it was great, except, of course, that unlike Windsor/Essex, they have hills here...

I learned about why, as Mary said, the first levels looked like the fallout from a nuclear disaster. If we manage to find a link that will let me add photos to my blog, you’ll be able to read their explanation. Otherwise, I’m hoping to be able to establish a link. Needless to say, there is a plan, and there is both rhyme and reason to what they are doing.

As I looked up at one point, I saw a very black cloud looming over one of the peaks. Fortunately, it was quite some distance from me. But my mother didn’t raise any fools and so I thought that perhaps it would be wise to head back. I turned back, but hadn’t walked for even three minutes when I felt a drop. I thought a shower was imminent and hoped that I’d be able to reach shelter before it changed its mind and did more .... Suffice to say, I now fully understand why you go NOWHERE on Mull without your wet weather gear close at hand. The rain was heavy enough that I took my watch off and tucked it away so that the water wouldn’t get to it. My hair had a complete soft water rinse before I got back to the B&B. But my camera was safe in its case. My watch was safe and dry, and the rest of me would dry. Sooooo, I used the towel I have to take to Iona to dry my hair and my face and arms, put the waterproof jacket on, swapped my sandals for my hiking boots, and went back out to enjoy some more walking.

I took a few more photos and then went and waited for the bus, Mary having warned me I didn’t want to be at the back of the queue. Needn’t have worried – there weren’t many on the bus.

The obliging bus driver dropped me off at Achaban, which is a “10-15 minute walk” from Fionnphort. I’m not sure I knew that when I booked, but the exercise is good for me. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it! I dropped off my luggage, and, wiser now, kept my jacket and my hiking shoes and set off for Fionnphort. And all I’ll say is that it took me more than 10 minutes – but I was stopping to snap pictures on my way, which surely slowed me down!

Fionnphort is a small town, more like a fishing village, with a ferry to Iona. I’m not sure I made the wisest choice when I decided to move for nights two and three, but at the time, Fionnphort confirmed first. And, all B&B’s here have “No Vacancy” signs hanging. I haven’t decided what I will do with my last day. But I have some time to make up my mind. Fionnphort has very limited options for food – I’ll let you know how good those options are after I’ve tried my evening meal!

There's concert in the church this evening. But I’m not sure that I’ll be able to eat, and hike back to the church. Oh, AND stay awake for the concert! I’ll let you know!

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 6:6-8:1

July 2

2009-07-06T10:54:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Craignure, Isle of Mull

2009-07-01T14:39:00.008-04:00

I enjoyed my walk ... and here's some of what I saw.

For our railway buffs, I simply had to investigate.

Felt like I walked a kilometer -- but this is what I found

There are more but the software is fighting me -- I'll see what I can do about establishing a Picasa album so you can go there ...

I Made It!

2009-07-01T14:30:00.001-04:00

I simply had to prove that I made it to Pearson and then managed to get from the domestic section to the international part of terminal 1 -- though I was beginning to think that they wanted us to walk to London, England. That structure was just over from our departure gate. So I managed the first connection, and then flew to Heathrow -- now there's an adventure.!

To start with, the flight left at 6:30 pm -- they served dinner, had trouble with their media player so had to reboot it -- but that worked so not complaining. It's very nice to be able to choose what you want from the touchscreen menu. So by about 8:30 or 9 we'd eaten and so it was sleep time -- but who sleeps at 9:00 pm???? Not me, so it was a challenge to settle .... and then, we were landing around 6:30 am and they had continental breakfasts to serve, so the lights came up at about 4:30 UK time. Which isn't too bad when you consider that's just before midnight -- but my system was trying to figure out what the heck was going on. But I have to say I love how they now try to help you keep hydrated. Water is offered a lot during the flight. Anyone who knows me well probably knows that I rarely turn down a glass of water ... I thought perhaps I'd float off of the plane. but I didn't. We were almost half an hour late leaving and almost half an hour late landing ... which would be fine except that I had another flight to catch. AND, though my bag was checked through we had to go through passport control at Heathrow. And the signs are a mixture of excellent and confusing -- had no trouble finding our way to Terminal 1 from Terminal 3 -- but trying to find my way in Terminal 1 -- there it felt like chaos -- especially since my flight was due to go out at 8:40 ... so I had about an hour to got through security, passport control and find where the gate was .... and there were lines ... If you've travelled you'll understand -- sorry -- there were queues! I'm in the UK now. Went through security (had to hide my knitting needles since Heathrow's official stance is "NO knitting needles" and no one told me I'd be going through security again. But because my needles are not plastic but some kind of synthetic (my knitting needles for flying that is), I removed the tips (they're interchangeable), and put the tips in my pocket as I walked through the metal detector .... Thank goodness other knitters had told me how it's done -- I had no idea I might be in trouble on that flight! And I was too tired to try to follow a pattern by then!

Then we had to go through Passport control -- another huge queue - of course, part of that is because we were at the wrong place -- no queue at passport control for those who were continuing on another flight -- I found them as I was trying to wend my way through the maze .... Then went through bio???? control -- woman with children ahead of me was slowed down because her children were displaying "flu-like" symptoms. I had no problem, except I had to go and stand "on the footprints" and look at a camera ... I was wondering if they were doing the "iris screening thing" but just wanted to find my way --- and they DID give me good directions .... whereupon I hit another area with people queued. Fortunately, I was wise enough to skirt them since Windsor had issued my boarding passes for all three flights. Finally found a screen where I could check my flight, only to be told to report to Gate 8 area ... which, of course, was 20 miles from where I was .... I was so relieved to finally find the right area ... until they announced that another flight that had been posted at "Gate 8 Area" had just been changed to Gate 77 -- and you guessed it - they had to hoof it back the way they'd come - and their flight was due to leave before ours (it was now past 8:10 - check-in deadline) ....

I was starting to squirm when it came to be 8:30 and they'd said absolutely nothing about our flight -- not whether it was at 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F .... it was an endless area of 8's .... then finally they announced that they'd be getting around to us shortly .... again, not a problem, except that I had a train to connect with in Glasgow .... and wasn't sure how long it would take me to find my way from the airport. Anyway, we finally took off, and were only a little late (about half an hour). I walked out of the airport, wondering how I'd find the coach for Queen Street Railway Station, and deciding that if I had any trouble I'd take a taxi (same exit from the airport). And wonder of wonders, the coach was sitting right in front of the door, left less than 5 minutes after I boarded, and I was at the railway station with almost 1 1/2 hours to spare.

It was a gorgeous trip -- if you aren't feeling a little jet-lagged! I'm really glad that I get to do it again ... we drove through small mountains - well they were in the near background, we didn't actually go through any. We drove alongside lochs. It was absolutely beautiful. And the ride was almost 3 hours long. The start was typical big city but it very quickly left all trace of city behind and became a gorgeous tour of the area between Glasgow and Oban.

We were in good time for the ferry (less than half an hour but they're across the way from one another, so it was a matter of a three minute walk to get there, get my ticket and join the wait. It was another journey where i should have been outside with my camera -- but I'm hoping to do that on the return trip.

Sooooo, by 5:00 pm local time (that would be noon to you!) I was walking from the ferry to the B&B. After I'd settled in (ditching the hiking boots that I'd been in since 2:30 yesterday!) I put on sandals, took my camera and went for a walk .... So let's see if I can get any of these photos to load.

Hmmm, it won't let me do it the usual way ... so look for the second epistle!

Oh, and that camera at Heathrow???? After all of their security measures I was shocked that they didn't require photo ID with your boarding pass, until I looked at the screen when they scanned mine -- and there was my photo from the "footprints" shot. Ain't technology grand????

The view from my B&B!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

2009-06-28T08:42:00.002-04:00

Every Sunday morning I wake with the realisation that I won't be presiding at worship today, except my own. This morning there is the added thought that I am coming down to the wire to my departure for Mull, Iona and points beyond. I have one book sorted to go with me (I'm trying to travel light!), 2 knitting projects (I find knitting meditative - well, most of the time!), and now it really does come down to not how many clothes do I need, but how few will do???? I have two days to answer that question, and I'm continually reminded that we tend to take too much. But then, of course, I think - but 30 days!!!! This is another discipline, and I keep shifting. We'll see if discipline wins out.

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 62:1-65:17

June 27, 2009

2009-06-27T06:38:00.001-04:00

Scripture reading for Today: Isaiah 58:9-61:11

June 26, 2009

2009-06-26T07:28:00.001-04:00

Today's scripture reading: Isaiah 54:12-58:8

2009-06-25T07:52:00.001-04:00

Today's Reading: Isaiah 51:2-54:11

"Home"

2009-06-24T11:37:00.003-04:00

While I was in Waterloo, I met a woman who is the minister of a Mennonite congregation in northern Ontario. She told us that their previous minister had been in declining health and she had helped him with his pastoral responsibilities, ensuring that congregation was nurtured when he was unable to do so.

After he left the congregation she was meeting with an area officer of the Mennonite church and they were discussing the responsibilities she had undertaken and her feelings about what she had been doing. From that conversation flowed a process that led to her being ordained as a minister to that congregation. She did online studies (distance education sure has changed in the past 20 years!) to deepen her education and help her prepare for a broader range of responsibilities and expectations that came with ordination , but she was raised up from within her congregation to be in ministry with that congregation. She told us that her license specifies that she is ordained to minister to that congregation and only that congregation.

We have a similar process. It used to be the process that produced Lay Pastoral Ministers (in Training, initially, but when the training was complete, the "in Training" would be removed.) Now we call them designated lay pastoral ministers. Now we call them Designated Lay Ministers and it is unlikely that they will be ministers to the congregations from which they come. They too rise from within the congregation, but more usually, they work with a congregation not their own, and they are unlikely to return to home in a ministerial capacity.

You could even say that that is where commissioned and ordained ministers begin. We are all recommended by our home congregations. Without the blessing and endorsement of our home church we cannot go forward. But unlike those others, one of the requirements, at least to date, is that when we are ordained we go, not back to those who nurtured us, but to wherever the church has need of us. We can have input into that placement, but it is extremely unlikely that we will return to our "home" church. It's this process that has seen our former intern, Cathy, move to Newfoundland as she begins her life as an ordained minister of the United Church of Canada.

But even if we returned "home", our church structure deems that it is no longer our home. Once ordained our membership, our "home congregation" is presbytery. It is there that our membership now rests, not on the Roll of the sponsoring congregation. As I was reflecting on that reality I wondered who would actually choose that to be "home"? Who wants to call home a place where there seems to be dissension and fruitless discussion about issues that really don't impact our everyday life? I'm a bit jaded and jaundiced, but it seems to me that we've lost that sense of home which is so important to us.

They say that "home" and "family" are what today's post moderns are seeking. They want a place where they can turn for support and encouragement, which will challenge them when they go astray and celebrate with them when they succeed. They want something that equips them for today's realities and assures them that there is meaning and purpose, and that they can be in a real relationship with God, not simply a theologically correct one. They want a place that invites them into life, and the fulness of life.

If you're curious about what it is they are seeking, ask yourself, "What are the issues in your church today?" Range through all of the issues, both large and small with which we struggle.

Now, ask yourself, "What are the issues that keep you awake at night?" What is it that prompts brooding, or fretting? (And no, we won't beat you with the stick of 'faith' if you admit that you do have the occasional sleepless night!)

As you reflect on your answers to these two questions, ask yourself how many things were on both lists?

It is the general lack of points of interception that prompts the absent generation to remain absent. The questions that keep us awake at night are the questions that they want to see addressed.

"Moderns" main concern was "is it true?" They embraced an organised theology. Clergy were trained to be 'resident theologians'.

"Post Moderns" main concern is "does it work?" To them, if it doesn't work then it doesn't matter if it's true. If we don't reflect the life and teaching of Jesus in how we deal with life everyday, then they see no place for themselves in our midst.

Challenging questions for us to wrestle with, but an enriched life if we dare to embark upon the challenge. They want to see us as disciples, or apprentices, involved not in changing beliefs, but in changing lives. We have the resources. Do we dare to use them in new ways? Are we ready to become incarnational???? Are we ready to become apprentices? Are we ready to help them find a new family? A new home?

Reading for today: Isaiah 48:1-51:1

Reflections

2009-06-21T09:00:00.002-04:00

What would it be like to be so full of gratitude that you felt compelled to give something back? Not because you had to, but because your heart was so full that all you wanted was to give. Gratitude is at the heart of discipleship.

That was the core of what we learned, debated and discussed during the "Creating Disciple Making Communities" course this past week.

We talked about how if we weren't comfortable with the word disciple we could substitute apprentice -- without Donald Trump. Because what Jesus did was to take on a group of apprentices and teach them how to be full fledged disciples in his physical absence.

We talked about how the traditional approach could be called the "vampire" church -- you know -- "we need new blood".

We laughed, we cried, and we squirmed as we discussed our pattern of being attractional churches, expecting others to come through our doors so that we might minister to them, rather than being incarnational churches, living our faith out in the world in such a way that people want what we have. (A wonderful illustration of "incarnational being" is in the movie "When Harry Met Sally" in the restaurant scene. Remember???? That's where Sally says she often fakes "it", and Harry denies that any woman could convincingly fake "it", so Sally goes ahead and gives an amazing demonstration, right there in the restaurant, attracting a fair amount of attention. When she is finished, an older woman at another table who has watched it all, says to her server: "I want what she has." That's being incarnational! Oh, and if you need to ask what "it" is, leave me a message!)

There is so much that I would like to share and so much that I am still processing. It was stimulating and it was challenging, daring us to dream new and bigger dreams, daring us to venture into a scary world beyond bricks and mortar, that acknowledges that something has to die in order for something new to grow. And so much of it challenges the way we've always done things, daring us to live our faith and in faith, rather than subscribing to a host of 'correct' beliefs.

No doubt you'll be hearing more as I ponder. But I wanted to pull some of our resources out to start you thinking.

Following Jesus
Two thousand years ago Jesus turned the world upside down by ignoring politics and institutional leverage and gathering twelve losers around himself. He prepared these men to infiltrate their culture with a life giving message, a transformed lifestyle, and a burning desire to serve God with every ounce of capacity they possessed -- or die in the process. It was an improbably strategy but it worked. The passion of Jesus' disciples was contagious. Without buildings, budgets, programs, curricula or mass media, they built the foundations for what has become the world's most prolific faith group. Can you think of any reason why the modern church cannot have as much or greater impact as that small band of early believers?
From Growing True Disciples by George Barna, Waterbook Press, Colorado Springs, 2001 Page 12

Something to think about!

Today's scripture: Isaiah 40:15-42:14

Update!

2009-06-18T13:07:00.001-04:00

We've been kept pretty much on the hop here. No time for blogging - but lots of thoughts overflowing -- I just need time to sort them into some semblance of order - I'll be sharing them shortly.

This morning, shortly before 6, I realised that I could hear drumming and chanting. I wondered if it were a figment of my imagination, but standing at the window, I could hear it more distinctly, though wherever the drummer was, they were out of my line of vision. It was a delightful welcome to the day. There's a group from Kairos also meeting on campus (saw the signs directing them to the Conference Centre), so perhaps this was part of their programme. Whatever the reason, I enjoyed it.

I wanted to update the photos, but yesterday morning my camera batteries were dead, and this morning it was raining (a leftover from yesterday afternoon). But it cleared by lunchtime, though there are still dark clouds around. So here are some photo updates:
That's just outside the dining room/cafeteria. (Did I mention that this is the Mennonite church college????? You do know about Mennonites and cooking, don't you? The meals have been wonderful!)

Conrad Grebel Univerity College viewed from the path that leads to the university campus.

Across Laurel Creek to campus.

The classroom during lunch break -- proof that some of us were actually in the Great Hall for the sessions (or at least could find out way during lunch break!)

Class is about to resume so I'll post later. And probably not before tomorrow, or perhaps even not till Saturday I'll try to share more of the content of the course and/or some of the thoughts it has inspired. It seems to me that this could be an effective way of communicating when I'm not available in person, to keep us up to date and on track with what could possibly influence our future.

Waterloo!

2009-06-16T06:38:00.001-04:00

Waterloo, Waterloo, where will you meet your Waterloo????

We're in Waterloo, bunked down in the residence at Conrad Grebel University College, the Mennonite church college affiliated with the University of Waterloo. Our course begins at 9 this morning, so we came yesterday and got settled in -- couldn't face a long early morning drive followed by class from 9 to 5. Took a picture from our window -- please bear with me since the screen and the sun were playing games this morning. I'll try again later, but in the meantime ....That's the university library in the distance. When I was a student here (back in the dark ages!) the rumour was that the library was sinking by inches each year because the architect hadn't included the weight of the books in his calculations. It's still here, and still above ground some 30+ years later, so I guess they were wrong!

Guess where we'll be eating lunch? Those tables are right outside the cafeteria at Conrad Grebel (or Grebel, at they seem to call it -- we used to call it Connie G). The cafeteria is directly below the residence rooms -- handy location!

The building in the background is St. Paul's, the United Church affiliated college and my former home away from home.

And now, it's time to get ready for breakfast!

Today's reading: Isaiah 26:5-29:1

The View from a Tractor

2009-06-10T20:37:00.000-04:00

I took a break from reading "The Shack" to visit and have lunch with friends. It truly is a blessing to be able to have the time to relax into a visit, and before I left I was invited to tour the farm -- from the tractor's second seat. I've never been on a tractor before in my life, let alone ridden in one. It was an experience! I said that sabbatical time is an opportunity to do things I've never done before, and this was certainly one of those! It is an interesting adventure and the vantage point is certainly different, especially when driving along the side of a hill! I confess that I held on for dear life when we left the road, drove down into the ditch and up into the field. And then again when we moved up the side of a hill toward a pond. Actually, I never truly let go! Oh and George thinks it's important that I mention that the tractor is green and yellow -- which farmer types will identify readily as a particular make. Initials JD. My only regret - and a belated one at that, was that I didn't take my camera with me so I have no photo of this momentous ride!

I'm glad I went. I was happy to see all that there was to see and to absorb some of the information that was shared with me -- even though I didn't (couldn't!) retain it all. Sorry, George! It also gave me a better perspective on at least one of the work experiences of many of our farmers. I'm told that the driver's seat is much more comfortable than the jump seat -- I certainly hope so, and since George wasn't holding on, I believe it -- and also that you become more comfortable with the whole experience of up and down, and knowing what you can safely do when riding/driving one of these monsters. It certainly expanded my horizons -- in every sense of the word. Thanks, George!

After my visit I returned to reading and finished my encounter with The Shack. As I said previously, I do recommend it. As C.S. Lewis did before him, Wm. Paul Young shares his understanding (or, "literally" that of his friend Mack) of God, the nature of God, the Trinity, and our relationship with God, all in an easily readable book.

Today's reading: Isaiah 6:6-9:5

June 9, 2009 -- Happy Birthday!

2009-06-10T20:30:00.000-04:00

One of the great gifts of this sabbatical is that it has enabled me to celebrate birthdays with two friends with whom such things are not normally possible. One birthday is June 9 and the other, a significant 65th! is on Sunday, June 14th. So it was doubly special that we could get together for conversation, catching up, and dinner together.

Earlier in the day I read from a book I'd brought along -- not one listed at the side, but another one which was loaned to me by yet another friend, which had languished on my night table till now. It's a popular book, and I had the feeling that I was among the last to read it. It is "The Shack" by Wm. Paul Young.

You may or may not agree completely with his theology (I don't) but even if you don't I do believe that you will find truth and meaning within its covers and encourage you to visit your library and borrow a copy. Or do as I did and borrow a copy from a friend. I'll bet that you'll discover that many of them already have a copy.

Reading for today was: Isaiah 3:8-6:5

Monday, June 8, 2009

2009-06-08T08:54:00.000-04:00

My first day of the official sabbatical time. I started my morning with reading from the prophets. The daily readings are designed to take me through all the writings of the prophets during the three months of my sabbatical time. No one made any suggestions about what I should choose to read, and when I checked out the poetry suggestion and discovered we began with Job, I chose to stay with my original choice of the Prophets.

This morning's reading was taken from Isaiah, and for someone who has just begun this time with a joyful heart, it was a dour enough beginning. I read from Chapter 1 verse 1 to Chapter 3 verse 7 -- enough expressions of God's disappointment to give me pause. but I'm looking forward to the glorious promises that lie ahead -- both in the scriptures and in my sabbatical plans!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

2009-06-08T08:46:00.001-04:00

It finally arrived! My last service before sabbatical, the lighting of the sabbatical candles, and, with the closing of the worship service, the beginning of my actual sabbatical.

We lit two candles during the service, one to stay behind with the congregation of Lincoln Road United Church:

And I would solicit any and all prayers during this sabbatical time, not only on Sundays.

The other candle we lit will travel with me:

And I will do the same for you! Not only on Sundays but when I look at the candle with me, it will remind me of those at home, and inspire my prayers.

Map Link

2009-06-07T08:45:00.001-04:00

Since I fought such a valiant battle with Weebly, I'm curious now to see if I can post this ink here. This should take you to a map of the journey from Glasgow to Iona.

You know, that was so easy it's almost scary. It makes me wonder why Weebly is so highly recommended. Obviously other folks have different requirements. But I could have saved myself the photos of maps .... oh well, live and learn!

Last service this morning, and then the true sabbatical adventure begins!

Equipment Update!

2009-06-03T22:54:00.000-04:00

I heard from The Community of Iona last week, with travel information, and a list of things we need to bring, so I've been off shopping. I now have "wet weather gear" aka 'a rain suit' aka waterproof over-trousers and accompanying jacket, hiking shoes that provide good ankle support (required if you want to do the 7(!) mile pilgrimage [a good friend said there was a reason 'grim' was in the middle of the word!] and I think I will want to do whatever is offered.)

I've started walking in the hiking shoes to get both of us broken in. It's a challenge to prepare for the pilgrimage on an island that has rocks and rugged terrain when you live in an area that is flatter than the Prairies. But at least I'll be used to walking longer distances than from my car to the church.

My BritRail Flexi-Pass has arrived, making it just that little bit more real. My friend in England and I have been lining up where we will connect when I leave Lindisfarne and head to West Sussex.

This is my final week at the church before the official beginning of my sabbatical time. The adventure is at hand -- and it still doesn't seem quite real. But the details are being looked after one by one. And after our worship service on Sunday -- it begins!

More Maps!

2009-05-15T09:55:00.000-04:00

I wanted to post these second maps so that all of the maps are here before I set off. They're not on the laptop that is travelling with me, and so they'll be where we can both refer to them!

When I leave Iona I backtrack along the route I take to get there - across to Mull, then on a bus from one side of Mull to the other, then across to Oban and back on the train to Glasgow - except instead of stopping in Glasgow I'll be continuing on to Edinburgh and the to Berwick on Tweed where I'll catch a bus to Beal and hopefully on to Lindisfarne, Holy Island. Failing that, it will be by taxi from Berwick on Tweed to Lindisfarne -- having to watch both bus timetables and the tidal timetable as well!

You can almost see Holy Island on this shot. But I hope it's a little clearer on this one.

I even traced part of my route to show you where Holy Island is ... and Glasgow and Edinburgh are underlined to help you get your bearings.

If you look closely on the map above, you will see the dotted line that is the tidal causeway to Holy Island! It feels like an adventure!

And if you click on any of the maps they will become larger - large enough for you read the place names and check out the surrounding towns.

All this with a click of a button, after spending a futile two hours attempting to do the same thing on the other blog. I'm sure you understand the reason for the switch.

Maps!

2009-05-14T20:33:00.001-04:00

I wanted to find a way to share some maps with you, so that for the UK portion of my sabbatical, at least, you'd have some sense of "where in the world" I was.

The first is the trip from Glasgow to Oban. I didn't attempt to trace the route from Glasgow to Oban because I'm travelling by train and have no idea of the route of the railway is.

Actually, this map shows even more than that. But I played with one of them so that you can follow the route from Oban to Mull, first landing at Craignure, where I'll spend my first night in Scotland, and then following the main road, marked in red to Fionnphort where I'll ahve two nights before taking the ferry from Fionnphort to the Isle of Iona. On Iona the red circle is the Abbey which is where I'll spend my first week.

An Explanation

2009-05-14T19:30:00.000-04:00

After spending a futile few hours struggling with the Weebly blog on a fully equipped computer with unlimited internet access, I came to the conclusion that I was likely to find it even more challenging where access was more limited, when I would be using a small netbook, and so I have come to the conclusion that before I leave for my sabbatical it makes the most sense for me to transfer my musings and reflections to a blog that is more easily manipulated.

So welcome to my new site. When our webmaster returns we will put a link to this new spot on the church web-site so that it will be easy to find me!

And if this is the first site you've visited, the old musings and my full sabbatical plans can be found here