Image: YouthFest 2024 Credit: Iona Community/ S. Edwards
Caro Penney, warden of Iona Abbey, shares what gives her most joy in September’s Sounds of Iona.
I’m often asked what I enjoy about working here on Iona. There are so many answers I could give but I think the greatest joy is hearing how welcome people feel, whether as a guest, a visitor to a service, as a member of our Abbey Team – in all our diversity. A joy because that’s what we’re here to offer and receive. It’s wonderful to know that the ripples of welcome are truly felt. It’s a joy too because of the shocking stories I hear from folk who have felt unwelcome or worse, at church – even though all congregations will say they are welcoming.
A guest told me recently how, when she moved home, she visited three local churches. At none of them did anyone talk with her even over a cuppa after the service. Last year, a visitor to an evening service in the Abbey repeated several times how welcome he felt. It made even more sense when he told me his backstory. He gave me a big hug as he left and what a joy to see him back here last month!
Whoever you are, wherever you are from – all are welcome at Iona Abbey!
All – including all who don’t go to church, yet are yearning and seeking for something, even if they’re not sure what. You are not alone.
I never thought that the announcement we make at the start of every service would have such a positive impact on so many – even to the point of being asked if they can take a photo of it to use back home!
“We are very aware that language changes and there can be times, especially in prayers and songs, when we feel uncomfortable with it. As we sing and pray, feel free to make changes that make sense to you, in a respectful way.”
I make changes to our language often. And it does make a difference, not only because I can use words that make worship real to me but because it’s OK to do so amongst people who are using different words. I won’t be booted out because I say ‘Loving God’ instead of ‘Our Father’, or ‘sibling’ instead of ‘brother and sister’.
What a joy it is to be here!
We’ve already had some great weeks this year, including our annual YouthFest. We welcomed about 20 young people, mostly from two churches in South London priority areas and some of whom had been last year. A year ago they had hardly been out of their area or even their homes, often because of anti-racist threats, never mind coming to a distant wee island.
It was daunting for some and, unsurprisingly, took a while for them to even begin settling. This year, because some of them had been before, there was a palpably different feel. They supported each other and got to know the other young people from Aberdeen and Oregon. With an amazing team of leaders, some of whom were also new to Iona, the group grew in confidence and energy. To end the week, they led the Thursday evening service of commitment. It included a dramatic, honest, conversation between six of them about coming here, a beautiful painting they’d made of an Iona beach, and a song they wrote the words and music for: ‘Today we rise’.
Heartfelt. Affirming. Jubilant.
What a joy it is to be here! Today we rise …
USA North East