Service of Prayers for Healing

I attended the service of prayers for healing, and it was a blessing to have been there. It is not "charismatic," as some might expect from such a service. Rather, it was what it's name says. We prayed for healing -- body, mind, spirit, relationships, peace, and end of strife. I submitted names of some family and congregation members, and they were prayed for during the service, and there was an opportunity to go forward for prayers -- offered by the whole community -- for whatever anonymous need the person felt. You could go forward for yourself, for someone else, for some need in the world -- and it was anonymous. The congregation together prayed that God would heal whatever was causing harm. It was quite moving.

Today we will be taking a boat trip to the island of Staffa to see the puffins and Fingal's Cave, a remarkable geological formation that inspired Mendelson to write some beautiful music. Hopefully the weather will be such that there isn't much seasickness!

Pilgrimage Day

Today I went on a reflective pilgrimage around the Isle of Iona. It was a time of prayer and reflection as we examined various sites of historical and religious significance on the island. It was a wonderful experience, and a beautiful day to enjoy it!

Last night I attended a ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee), which is the Scottish version of a barn dance or square dance. It was a lot of fun. A lot of this week has been about living in community, enjoying the gifts and differences of others, and sharing our unity in Christ -- a good thing for the Church to do. We don't have to agree on everything, but we can still love and trust one another.

Tonight is a service of prayer for healing -- to pray for healing physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally; and to pray for healing of the nations, and so on. I've especially been looking forward to this service, as I think there will be ways to incorporate this sort of service back home at Pella I.