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?

The Fortnight Is Over

My fortnight in Scotland is over. It was remarkably dry - we had a few showers while Karin and I were in Edinburgh, otherwise there was no rain to speak of. We had a wonderful time seeing the city.

Our flight to Frankfurt was uneventful, and getting around with my little German has been a fun adventure so far. Tomorrow we leave on the train to visit Wilhelm's family until Monday morning, when we fly home. We are looking forward to seeing Germany, and to seeing Wilhelm and his family.

GoMA in Glasgow

I found a computer with access in the Library at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) in Glasgow. I returned here from Iona yesterday. We have had amazingly beautiful weather for the whole time. Thanks be to God.

The week at Iona was very renewing. I enjoyed building community, working side by side with wonderful people, and having time to pray and reflect as I walked about a harshly beautiful island with extraordinary old buildings from early Celtic Christianity. I discovered a lot about myself, about God, and about community. I also was surprised how deeply alone I felt when I arrived in Glasgow. Even though I was having a "wee walk" through the downtown streets with thousands of other people, I missed the community I had on Iona, and I missed Karin and my family. I felt alone, in an "in-between" sort of place.

Karin should be in the air as I write this. I will shortly be going to check out of the hotel and take the shuttle to Edinburgh, so I can get checked into our hotel there and then go "collect" Karin at the airport. I am looking forward to being with her and sharing the sights and sounds and food and culture of Scotland and Germany together.

Puffins!

We had a wonderful trip to Staffa yesterday. The captain of the boat said it might be "a wee bit splashy" on the way out, and we got drenched. Good thing I had my "waterproofs" -- waterproof jacket and over-trousers. It was the first time I've used them. The weather has been wonderful -- no rain to speak of.

Staffa was magnificent. The basalt columns and Fingal's Cave (which inspired Mendelssohn) were fantastic. And the puffins were delightful! They love people because people scare away the seagulls, their main predator. So when people gather on the top of the cliffs (where the puffin nests are), and wait patiently, the puffins will gather on the cliffs, often only a few feet away! They are adorable and make a wonderful cooing sound which reminded me of the contented sound some people make after a good meal. But their finding protection from their enemies at the feet of people reminded me how we find protection from our enemies at the feet of God -- "deliver me from the evil one..."

Tomorrow morning I'll be leaving Iona and heading to Glasgow, and then on to meet Karin in Edinburgh. I can't wait to see her again!

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.