World Communion Sunday Reflection: Iona with John Phillip Newell

A view of Iona Abbey from the water as we arrive by ferry.

By Pat Foye

In June, I joined members of First Pres to go on retreat to the Scottish Island of Iona. It wasn’t my first trip to Iona, but it had been several years since I travelled by plane, train, ferry, bus and boat to arrive on this special island known as the birthplace of Celtic Spirituality. And as I travelled each leg of the trip, I was reminded of the what going on retreat means to me—being able to let go of my usual routines and usual way of seeing people, places and situations. As I got off the plane the countryside was different, the accents were unfamiliar, and I found myself having to slow down to learn the ways of another place. This year’s retreat was led by John Philip Newell and Ali, his wife. The focus of the teaching sessions was on Newell’s book, Sacred Earth Sacred Soul. There was a rhythm to each day beginning with Meditation and Solitary Prayer at 7:15 am in Michael Chapel, an ancient chapel behind the Iona Abbey. Being in this chapel in silence with other pilgrims, and experiencing a place that has been used for centuries by many others, felt grounding.

After the early morning prayer time, we joined for breakfast with folks who came from a variety of places in the US, the UK, and even Australia. Following breakfast, we had a morning session of teaching and a spiritual practice. Then it was lunchtime and an afternoon of free time, or a planned trip, such as, the Iona Pilgrimage. We joined again for an evening meal together. Many of us also attended evening prayers at the Iona Abbey before returning to our hotel and rooms for the evening. We ate together, we explored together, we worshipped together, and came together as a special community. Iona is an amazing island. Walking everywhere I felt a closeness to the natural beauty of the fields, gardens, hills, and the beaches. Yes, there are beaches! One afternoon we walked to a beach with beautiful sand and dunes, and yes, frigid cold ocean. Ali instructed our retreat group to search for something on the beach, on our own, to find something that interested us. I found a beautiful rock with pink, gray, and black markings. Others found shells, dried sea weed, and driftwood in interesting shapes. In small groups we shared what our beach find represented to us individually; how it spoke to us about our current situation and perhaps represented an inner longing. After sharing we laid our beach finds in a circle on the sand and joined together as one.

During this beach activity I was reminded of Psalm 24 v.1: The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. I began to see that a possible way forward for the challenges of our times is to care for the earth in new ways, and in so doing we can experience God in everything and everyone. We all go on retreat for a variety of reasons and hopefully return to our homes and communities changed in some way. At the end of our time together, members of our church community reflected on our time in Iona. Here are a few memorable moments: The rainbow Tai Chi. John Philip Newell and Ali. Being in “a thin place.” The island. People we met, friendships we made. Spiritual learnings and awakenings. Ohm, shalom, amin. Meditation, prayer of presence. Worshipping in the cathedral of earth, sea and sky

In closing I share a well know prayer of the Iona Community:

Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.