Iona, Camas, Glasgow
‘Into this world’: A Christmas message from Kathy Galloway and Christian MacLean, Co-leaders of the Iona Community
‘Into this world, this demented inn, in which there is absolutely no room for him at all, Christ comes uninvited. But because he cannot be at home in it, because he is out of place in it, and yet he must be in it, his place is with those others for whom there is no room. His place is with those who do not belong, who are rejected by power because they are regarded as weak, those who are discredited, who are denied the status of persons, tortured, exterminated. With those for whom there is no room, Christ is present in this world …’
(Thomas Merton, from Raids on the Unspeakable, New Directions, 1966, p.51-52)
In a dark world where simplicity and vulnerability are despised, ‘truth’ is bought and sold, and the rich close their doors and their lives to the refugee and the homeless, Christ is born.
Come, God, in whom we live and move and have our being,
strengthen us to wait in faith for the dawning of your light.
In a world of noise, still us to be open to your presence in each other and in our world.
In a world of habit and complacency, astonish us with your life.
In a world of conflict and fear, enter the darkness with your peace.
In a world of cynicism and despair, strengthen us to be heralds of your bright hope.
And fill us with the joy of your presence this Christmas.
Thank you for your support, prayers and encouragement through the past year. As we move towards Christmas we think of our Supporters, Friends, Associates and Members across the world, and give thanks for the Community, for the vision and struggle we share for a more just and peaceful world, and for all those with whom we share our journey in faith. We know many of you are facing hard situations but we pray that wherever you are the joy and peace of Christmas will be with you.
The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.
– Kathy and Christian
Iona dawn © David Coleman
Vacancies on Iona for 2019 …
Are you looking for an alternative, countercultural and spiritually challenging way to live and work? Then consider joining the Resident Staff Team at our centre on the island of Iona, to share a common life and extend our ministry of hospitality to guests from all over the world.
We are currently recruiting our Resident Staff Team for 2019 and accepting applications for the following posts:
Sacristan
Iona Housekeeper
Iona Assistant Cook
Iona Operations Manager
Deadline for applications: 10th January, 2019
For information and application forms
Iona gate © David Coleman
Christmas query: A reflection from Iona Centres Director, Heinz Toller
As the coach approached the city centre, it felt like I must be time-travelling.
Christmas was the message screaming from all sides – lights, decorations, adverts, shoppers – and it wasn’t even Advent yet!
Coming from the unspoilt, serene, rugged and wild beauty of Iona, I was somewhat unprepared for the sudden onslaught of the city’s tawdriness.
And then there were its victims, scores of them, sitting on the wet, cold pavements, at corners, in entrances, whispering ‘Change, please’ and holding up their collecting cups.
The harsh contrast reminded me of the contrasts alluded to in the Christmas stories: God coming into this world in a stable, unexpected, unplanned, unscheduled. The son of a God of surprises who speaks of a Kingdom which is as surprising as his birth itself; in the words of the Welsh poet R.S. Thomas:
Advent, Christmas is about the beginning, the coming of that Kingdom in the here and now, for the here and now – pointing to a new direction in an aimlessly drifting world.
When we look into the face of that newborn child, love looks back at us and wants to light up our yearning for the Kingdom, a different, a better world.
When those asking for change look into our face, what ‘looks at them back’? What do we have to offer them? …
– Heinz Toller
Iona night sky © David Coleman
Glory to God in the High St, by George MacLeod, Founder of the Iona Community
An Iona Community classic:
A boy threw a stone at the stained-glass window of the Incarnation. It nicked out the ‘E’ in the word HIGHEST in the text, ‘GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST’. Thus, till unfortunately it was mended, it read, ‘GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGH ST’.
At least the mended E might have been contrived on a swivel so that in a high wind it would have been impossible to see which way it read. Such is the genius, and the offence, of Christian revelation. Holiness, salvation, glory are all come down to earth in Jesus Christ our Lord. Truth is found in the constant interaction of the claim that the apex of the Divine Majesty is declared in Christ’s humanity. The Word of God cannot be dissociated from the Action of God. As the blood courses through the body, so the spiritual is alone kept healthy in its interaction in the High Street.
(Originally from Only One Way Left, George MacLeod, 1954)
– From Daily Readings with George MacLeod, Ron Ferguson (Ed.), Wild Goose Publications
‘Among the poor’, a Christmas prayer from the Wild Goose Resource Group
Among the poor,
among the proud,
among the persecuted,
among the privileged,
Christ is coming.
He is coming to make all things new.
In the private house,
in the market place,
in the wedding feast,
in the judgement hall,
Christ is coming.
He is coming to make all things new.
With a gentle touch,
with an angry word,
with a clear conscience,
with burning love,
Christ is coming.
He is coming to make all things new.
That the kingdom might come,
that the world might believe,
that the powerful might stumble,
that the humble might be raised,
Christ is coming.
He is coming to make all things new.
Within us,
without us,
among us,
before us,
in this place,
in every place,
for this time,
for all time,
Christ is coming.
He is coming to make all things new.
© 2002 Wild Goose Resource Group, from Cloth for the Cradle, Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications
Camas Outdoor Activity Centre – Open Weeks in 2019
Spring Work Week (25th–30th March):
Come and get Camas up and running for the season ahead. Light the stoves, spruce up the rooms, check roofs are still on sheds, and launch the boat, as well as many other tasks. Live and work together as part of a community for the week in this remote and beautiful part of the world. There’ll be time to explore the local area and look up at the stars at night!
Easter Holiday Family Week (8th–13th April):
Spend a week living in community with other families in the remote Camas Bay. We will be offering a range of outdoor activities as well as trips to the beach and to Iona. There’ll be time for cooking, being in the garden or reading your book by the sea. (Adults pay according to the rates below, children under 16 at £125.)
May Garden Week (6th–11th May):
A week at Camas getting your hands in the soil! Spend time in the Camas garden helping us set up for the season to come. A mixture of work, rest and play, with garden tasks, walks to beaches, option of a day trip, and lots of tea and cake to keep you going!
Pricing information:
It’s really important to us that Camas is open to everyone regardless of financial circumstances. We therefore offer different rates depending on what guests can afford to pay.
£250 supporter rate – for those who are able to give a bit more
£175 standard rate – for those on average incomes
£125 concessionary rate – for students and those on low incomes. If you are unable to afford this then please contact us because we want to make sure no one is excluded from staying at Camas because of their financial situation.
For enquiries and booking: [email protected]
More weeks to follow – watch this space!
Photo from the Iona Community website ©
Iona Abbey Capital Appeal
HRH The Princess Royal hosts reception for the Iona Abbey Capital Appeal, from Coordinator of the Appeal, Christine Jones
At the beginning of December, The Princess Royal, as patron of the Capital Appeal, hosted a reception with Iona Community Members in the Chapel at the University of Glasgow. The 50 people who attended included donors, supporters, partners, islanders, people who have benefitted from time with the Iona Community and people who were interested to know more about the life of work and worship at the Abbey. It was a time for giving thanks, sharing stories, meeting friends and welcoming the stranger. The Princess spoke individually to the invited guests, and when we gathered for the formal presentations, she congratulated the Iona Community on a successful campaign, highlighting the value of life in Community and the significance of the international reach of the Iona Community.
I presented the Princess with a framed copy of an illustration of St John’s Cross, as was designed for ‘Cross the Line’, and also a pair of socks knitted with Iona wool – gifts that were a perfect fit! The event marked a time of transition as the Appeal team look to 2019 in the hope of reaching the funding target, whilst also realising the enormous investment the campaign has created in promising new life for other areas of the Iona Community.
2018 has been quite a year for the Capital Appeal – thank you to everyone who has supported the Appeal, donated, packed envelopes, initiated fundraisers and engaged in any way with sharing the story. Sometimes wonderful, miraculous things have emerged from conversations and often being in touch has created opportunities for pastoral care. The life of work and worship at Iona touches people in profound ways and the Appeal has created a forum for people to recount those transforming stories.
– Christine Jones, Coordinator of the Iona Abbey Capital Appeal
Photo: HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of the Iona Abbey Capital Appeal, smiles as she receives a gift of hand-knitted woollen socks after speaking at an event for the Iona Community at the Glasgow University Memorial Chapel. Photo by Stuart Wallace ©
Online Auction for the Iona Abbey Capital Appeal, from member Fiona Fidgin
In February 2019 we will be holding an online auction to raise funds for the Iona Abbey Capital Appeal.
Is there something that you could auction? We’re not only looking for goods – but also experiences, job offers, etc. Please think about what you might be able to auction.
Details of how to register your goods and interests will be available soon. So watch this space! Thank you.
– Fiona Fidgin
News and campaigns
Christian Aid Christmas Appeal
From Christian Aid:
Will you be a peacemaker by supporting Christmas Aid – our Christmas Appeal to help bring peace to people affected by conflict worldwide?
Violence destroys lives and tears families apart. But while peace is broken every day, it’s also built – by strong women and men working to heal their communities.
These frontline peacemakers include Diana and Hamza in Lebanon, who are helping child survivors of conflict come to terms with their traumatic experiences.