Sunrises over Mull and making spiritual memories: Iona Abbey retreat 2023

Caption: Iona Abbey - photo credit Ana Gobledale

Fifteen URC members and friends from across Mersey Synod recently travelled to Iona Abbey, to spend a week living in the Abbey in community, and experienced a spiritual retreat at this international, ecumenical Christian centre. 

Worship in Iona Abbey - photo credit Ana Gobledale

They shared all aspects of Abbey life including daily services of worship, meals and work tasks and the opportunity to explore issues of common concern like the environment, inclusion and diversity and interfaith talking faith dialogue.

Daily worship took place in the twelfth century Abbey Church.

Rita Griffiths, Mersey URC Synod Clerk, was one of the group, and also co-ordinated the Retreat.

 “The theology of Iona Abbey is inclusive and welcoming to all, matching that of the URC,” she commented. “The worship in the Abbey is based on Celtic style prayers and songs and they offer different styles of worship taken from the Iona Worship Book. The evening worship offered various themes from quiet prayers, healing services or justice and peace.

“Living in community in the Abbey with 50 other people was a wonderful (if challenging at times) experience.  Each Abbey Day had a rhythm.  Up around 7.15am, breakfast at 8am all together in the dining room, where the heads of the tables served the rest, 9am Abbey prayers for half an hour followed by jobs in teams like chopping veggies for dinner or cleaning bathrooms.  The morning content varied. For example, on Tuesday there was a short or a long pilgrimage; two mornings we were offered workshops, one about wellbeing and one writing eco psalms. One afternoon we went on a boat trip to Staffa to see Fingal's Cave and the puffins. 9pm was always evening prayers.

“On the Thursday evening we had an Open Mic Celebration – like a Talent Show – when all of the groups or individuals shared a dance or song. The Mersey Group led a Beatles singalong to finish the evening.”

Ana Gobledale recalled the sunrise over Mull each morning and the wonderful memories of new friendships, including chatting to the puffins on Staffa, collecting pebbles on Columba Beach on the pilgrimage walk, the breakfast crew prep team, chanting in worship Thursday and conversations that went beyond the superficial.

Puffins on Staffa - photo credit Ana Gobledale

Liz DuBuisson recalled precious memories of arriving on boat to Iona, with beautiful scenery and crystal-clear water and a trip punctuated by puffins, corncrakes and beach walks. Her spiritual memories included the day long pilgrimage and a wonderful healing service experience.

The community was founded in Glasgow in 1938 by Rev George MacLeod. A visionary and a social reformer, MacLeod was driven by a belief that faith is grounded in action. In rebuilding the ruined accommodation at Iona Abbey, trainee ministers and unemployed workers lived, worked and worshipped together.

Labyrinth, Columba Beach - photo credit Ana Gobledale

These beautiful islands are where thriving local communities are layered with a deep spiritual tradition and inspiring landscape and wildlife.

For more information about future pilgrimages organised by Mersey Synod please contact Emma Howarth (Synod Training Officer) or Rita Griffiths (Synod Clerk)

Eco prayer Joy of Life - photo credit Ana Gobledale