At the end of a very busy season comprising 36 programme weeks our Abbey staff team look back on the amazing guests.
We welcomed over 1,200 guests to Iona Abbey between March and November. Some come to enjoy the quieter days of the off-season, others thrive on the hustle and bustle of summer tourists. Many have written to let us know how the weeks on Iona have affected them.
“My experience this week has been beyond what I could have imagined. I came alone, found an open welcome, and have made friends. A true gift, made good by the staff, volunteers and guests.”
Faith-inspired programme
Our 6-day programmes, which received rave reviews from our guests, all centred around building community, deepening worship and striving for peace and justice. The skilled island team hosted Time and Space weeks, family, LGBTQIA+ and youth programmes, as well as retreats which focused on climate justice, creativity and story-telling. Over the course of the year residents and guests marked the changing seasons in the church calendar and in personal journeys of faith.
“My faith has grown in a very personal way. I cannot put into words what a transformative experience it has been, but it has changed everything. Thank you with all my heart.”
Benedicte Scholefield is Operations Manager at Iona Abbey. “What we hear week after week is huge appreciation for transformative experiences. There is always high praise for the warm and open welcome, the ‘nothing is too much trouble’ attitude, and the modelling of intentional community by the team.”
One guest told us, “Your staff and volunteers absolutely amazed me, and I will try to mirror them in my daily life.”
Life in community
All Abbey guests are invited to join the regular rhythm of morning and evening worship, take part in community life and share freshly cooked meals with residents and guests. The meals, whose recipes are now available in the Iona Abbey Cookbook, are always a highlight.
Benedicte says: “The quality of the food is another consistent highlight – with some guests expressing surprise and delight at how delicious vegetarian food can be! And then there is the worship, the music, the programme, the pilgrimage, the beauty of the island – and above all the conversations, and sharing and laughing and strangers who become friends…”
“I have been healed – recognised my brokenness and was refilled. I have received enough unconditional love to be energised and go back to being able to freely share myself with others.”
Iona Abbey programme 2025
We are looking forward to welcoming guests and volunteers for another quality season in 2025. The upcoming programme includes a retreat during Holy Week, body-based spiritual practices, song writing opportunities and a week led by the Peace Common Concern Network.
Photo credits: B Forsyth and PF Himmelman
USA North East