Scotland Photos

Hi Everyone,

I've got the new photos downloaded from the camera, so now it's time to share a few of the pictures. First, two from Iona Abbey, on the Isle of Iona in Scotland.

The photo on the left is of the Iona Abbey, with the oldest portions of the walls dating to the 13th century. The large section on the right is the Abbey Church, where we had our worship at 9:00am and 9:00pm each day. The larger section to the left includes the refectory, where we ate our meals together. Behind the refectory on the far left is the Abbott's House, where we had dorms, and where I slept with 5 other pastors (who sometimes snored antiphonally!). Between the refectory and the Abbey Church is a small chapel, St. Columba's Shrine, which is one of the oldest sections of the Abbey, with the stones in the lower section dating back to the 9th century. The photo on the right is of the Abbey Church, viewed from just inside the front door. In the foreground is the baptismal font, with a section of chairs behind it. The far end of the Abbey Church has the altar, with the choir seating in front of it.

There were many other ancient ruins on the island,and a number of standing crosses. The cross on the left is St. Martin's cross, the oldest on the island, dating to between AD 750-800. The photo on the right is of the ruins of the Iona Nunnery, which was built around 1200. It has not been restored.

While at Iona, we made a boat trip to the Isle of Staffa. On the left is a view that includes Fingal's Cave (on the right) and shows the basalt columns that are found only here and at Giant's Causeway in Ireland. On the right is a puffin, the small bird that finds protection from their mortal enemies, the seagulls, at the feet of people -- perhaps a parable of our protection from our enemies at the feet of God.

One of the most impressive parts of the trip to Scotland was worshiping in St. Giles' Cathedral (Church of Scotland) in Edinburgh on Sunday morning. The building was magnificent, and the worship was beautiful. It was a high liturgy with the Edinburgh University Chamber Choir singing and the Lord's Supper celebrated. It moved me deeply.

And finally, a few fun items -- first, a photo of yours truly in front of the gate to Edinburgh Castle. And second, a bagpiper -- what could be more appropriate to end the photos of Scotland?

Report from Iona

I'm here in Iona! I know it's been a few days since I've been able to check in, but there is a hotel on the island that has some terminals for rent with Internet access.

The journey here was a delight. It was fun to spend some time in Edinburgh and Glasgow before the long journey -- eating cullen skink, riding a double-decker bus, listening to a bagpiper, and watching the Andy Murray-Andy Roddick tennis match in a pub in Glasgow. It was a great time.

The journey was long -- it took almost 8 hours to get from my hotel in Glasgow to the isle of Iona, including two bus rides (one on a one-lane road across the isle of Mull, which was quite exciting!) and two ferry rides. But the travel was uneventful.

The isle of Iona has a harsh beauty. Rocky outcroppings with green pasture land, and full of old ruins of various types. I'm staying in a room in the Abbot's House, adjoining the Abbey, with six other men, all clergy, four from the US, one from Canada, and one from England. There are about 50 residents staying here this week, I think, and they are from a variety of nations. It's a wonderful thing to live in community with such a diverse group. We don't all agree on a lot of things, but we all live together in community, in harmony. What the church is supposed to be, right?

The worship here has been very simple. Services are at 9am and 9pm each day, with themes for the evening times of worship. Last night was a time of quiet worship, tonight will be a service focusing on justice and peace.

The island is a beautiful place to explore, and I hope to go on an "off-road" pilgrimage tomorrow to see and learn about some of the sights.

There is also a lot of time to rest, to pray, to read, to walk, to nap, and to wonder at the determination of St. Columba and the other monks who established this place.

I don't have the ability to download my photos to the computer in the hotel, so pictures will have to wait. But know that I am here safely, and that all is well.