To the casual reader, humour in the Bible can be totally lost, mostly because we have a habit, when reading privately, of hearing the dullest lector or priest reading the verses in a monotone. But the humour is there, in the Old Testament and in the New for those who have ears to hear. Horror
A lecture by John Bell, hosted by St Nicholas Church, Brighton, sponsored by the Sexuality, Gender and Faith Group in Brighton & Hove, and open to all.
The notion that 'Christmas is a time for the kids' has helped to turn the Advent and Christmas seasons into a babyfest. It also eclipses the significance of incarnation, the importance of adults and even the connection to a woman who murdered a man in a campsite. This short retreat will pull back the curtain
Songs from the World Church and music celebrating creation led by John Bell
Exploring a theological response to COP26 informed by the Iona Community commitment to uphold the integrity of creation, with John Bell.
John Bell will be in Maine, USA, 25 - 29 March, leading various events, singing & exploring dimensions of faithful and engaged living. All events are open to the public (free will offering). Friday, March 25, 2022 6:00-8:00 pm, at The First Church in Belfast, UCC - In Person Workshop: A Celtic Christian View of
A celebration of the life of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. All are welcome to come along for this celebration, at which John Bell will lead singing and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Lord Jim Wallace, will speak, with involvement from representatives of different faiths and denominations. A workshop prior to the event led by
A celebration of the Church's song in anticipation of congregations being able to sing freely and unmasked with John Bell of The Iona Community. This will involve a some historical/hysterical perspectives on the various traditions of singing, and a sampling of the great varieties of song from home and abroad intended for all of God's
Familiarity may not have bred contempt, but it might have bred low expectation or presumption when it comes to the psalms. For many worshippers they are most commonly experienced as the obligatory interlude, spoken or sung, between readings from the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament Letters. For the less liturgically inclined, a narrow selection
The last thirty years have confronted us with changed perceptions regarding women, race, ecology, national identity, global connectivity, rogue states. All of these have been the stuff of conversation, but often the churches have lacked a vocabulary with which to engage the faith it professes with the realities that surround us. This workshop, led by
At one time all of Britain benefitted from the Celtic expression of faith. In 664, the Synod of Whitby began to bring Britain into better conformity with the Rome-centred church life. In more recent years, there has been resurgence of interest in Celtic Spirituality regarding its affection for pilgrimage, its appreciation of the natural order,
A gathering of people will peacefully confront the UK’s ongoing addiction to the possession and deployment of horrific and illegal weapons of mass destruction. The week-long nonviolent protest will take place at and around the Faslane/Coulport nuclear weapon complex in western Scotland. Practical information People coming to the gathering should make their own practical arrangements
Small Faithful Rural: Authentic Rural Church is an opportunity to share in conversation and workshops focusing on the realities of church contexts that are small, faithful, and rural, organised by a representatives of the Church of England Dioceses of Carlisle, Durham, Newcastle, and Edinburgh. The conference will feature keynote inputs from John Bell and Bishop Helen-Ann
The great biblical heroes with whom most people are familiar have names like Jacob, Moses, David, Gideon, Samson, Peter, Paul. Curiously not many women appear in the line-up of biblical greats. But they are there, even if their witness does not feature in Sunday morning readings. The hope is that in this retreat we will
Like the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes have such a revered place in Christian faith that in previous centuries some churches had the texts inscribed on their inside walls or interpreted in stained glass. But what do they mean, especially for today? Terms such as ‘the poor in spirit’ or ‘persecuted for righteousness’ sake’, words such
POSTPONED TO APRIL 2023 The Celtic Spiritual tradition has enjoyed a revival in interest in the past three decades, in no small part due to interest expressed by people in the USA. This lecture will outline the main features of a distinct expression of Christian faith which has weathered over sixteen centuries, and will pay
POSTPONED TO APRIL 2023. The thirst for intimacy with God, a better understanding of God, a sense of God's presence is a permanent feature of spiritual life. In this regard the question must always be asked as to whether we are looking for God or for a good feeling. The ancient Celts were not sentimentalists,
Gather, Celebrate, Serve - for the last century and the next! 100 years ago, Massanetta Springs' ministry began, as people gathered to be challenged and inspired through preaching and instruction, and to raise voices in song in praise to God. The Bible and Church Music conference is the official mark of the centennial. John Bell
Celebrating 150 years of the encampment. John Bell will be Minister in Residence.
A creative week exploring the provision and provisionality in a continually unfolding world. What might our lives and worship be like if instead of striving for permanence and stability, we attend to and celebrate the transient and incomplete? Led by Jo Love of the Wild Goose Resource Group, Carol Marples and Jane Bentley. Reserve a place here. We hope that
Join the Festival in the beautiful grounds of Boughton House (near Kettering) from 26–29 August 2022 for a long weekend of artistry, activism and belief. John Bell is once again one of the speakers, and this year's theme is Wake Up! After all the uncertainty and anxiety of the last two years, Greenbelt wanted a
Being Presbyterian Conference 2022 In Company with John Bell Morning Session From Genesis One to the Tower of Babel to the Ten Commandments and the Gifts of the Spirit, there runs a golden thread which celebrates that God delights in diversity. But how does this sit with churches which seek not just unity but uniformity?
Being Presbyterian Conference 2022 In Company with John Bell Afternoon Session The song of the church was in Reformation times so important that only Psalms were sung. They came with the endorsement of Jesus and their purpose was more to shape spirituality than give people a good feeling. Times have changed, yet what we sing
This September HeartEdge welcomes John Bell, Rachel Mann, Anderson Jeremiah and many other exciting contributors for a two-day conference: “humbler church, Bigger God” – a gathering of the HeartEdge community in Manchester. The conference is a practical, two-day intensive of ideas, theology and connecting. It includes workshops on enterprise and commerce, launching cultural projects, developing
A Practical Theology Short Course, with Trinity College Glasgow and Theology & Religious Studies, University of Glasgow. An introduction to designing and leading Christian worship services utilising theological and historically rich patterns and practices and adapting these to participants' contemporary church context. This course will take place on Monday evenings, 7-9pm 3rd October - 28th
There are over thirty of them in the Gospels; but a combination of science and scepticism seems to have diminished interest in the phenomena. In this retreat we will look at the miracles, not as puzzles to be solved, but as some of Jesus’ most profound teaching blocks as regards justice, humanity and God’s biases.
Aids To All Things Being Made New. A series of reflections on how, throughout our lives, we are gradually moving to deeper understandings of ourselves, our world and our Maker. We tend to sift anything new through one or more of the three sieves of memory (what has been), experience (what is) and imagination (what
The song of the Church is common property. It is a public phenomenon in which everyone is invited to participate. But why do we sing? Is it only to praise God? Might it be also to lament, or to educate ourselves, or to develop our faith? These and other good reasons for singing will be
This retreat offers the opportunity to reflect on matters of life and faith, regarding which traditional Christian attitudes have been challenged, causing many people to change their minds or amended their theology. We will consider issues such as Biblical Truth, Race, Environment, Sex and Gender Issues, Technology and Public Worship. We will draw on the
In a new webinar conversation in the Questions of Our Times series, John Bell will give his personal views on war, poverty, suffering and the climate crisis, in response to the question: The world is broken – what would Jesus do? He will also examine the accuracy of the Victorian depiction of Jesus as ‘gentle,
Come and stay at our Urban Oasis and find some space and inspiration this Advent. The retreat will avoid, as much as possible, celebrating Christmas before it is due, and Advent will be given its proper place. Led by John Bell.
All are welcome to join and make a joyful noise with the Wild Goose Collective, for an evening of singing together songs of Advent, hope, meaning and justice. For the whole community and all ages. An hour of singing will be followed by well-deserved refreshments. Venue - St. James the Less Scottish Episcopal Church, Bishopbriggs,
Join us for our SEASONAL CELEBRATION OF FAITH, CULTURE, POLITICS AND CREATIVITY Saturday 10th June 2023 10am-4pm with Siskin Green 7.30-8.30pm ‘Gathering’ The lingering fragility and unprocessed grief; the unseen struggles and changed-forevers. What are we gathering from all we experienced with Covid and the lockdowns? How are we gathering ourselves now? Our gentle festival day will be
Faith, life and radical discipleship in urban contexts. This week is for Members of the Iona Community and their families only. Our time together at Community Week will be facilitated by Jono and Julie Ryan and Angus R. Mathieson. Jono and Julie live in a small missional community in a low-income part of Dunedin, Aotearoa/New Zealand. Angus is an Iona Community
Thrift 28th August to 2nd September Led by Kathy Galloway and Christian MacLean The world is in ecological breakdown and environmental crisis, we need to radically change the way we use the world’s resources if we are to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. Join us for a week living communally at low carbon Camas, exploring how we can be more
When: 9th September 2023, 10am - 4pm British Summer Time. Where: Now online only - register here: Why: This Engagement Day will be an opportunity for Members, Associate Members and Staff to meet (online and onsite) to: meet together hear updates on current plans for the Mac development hear feedback from those who have stayed
Student Week is being delivered in partnership with the Student Christian Movement. Student Week at Iona Abbey, 9th - 15th September 2023. A week to set you up for the new academic year. Come and experience life in community, share laughter and stories, explore the stunning island of Iona and reflect together on current concerns.
If you are involved with helping provide music in worship you won't want to miss this week! This will be a practical and empowering time with others, to help you reflect on and refine how you provide music in congregational worship. We are delighted that Gillian Cummins will be facilitating this week. Gillian cares passionately
Associate Members Week. Rest and Renewal. Connecting and Community. Exploring and Practicing. Join us for a well-balanced time together. In addition to the usual rhythm of worship, work, play and rest, we will spend time exploring The Iona Rule of Life. We will consider the Rule of Life as an invitation to align Iona Community values
Inner stillness and outer action. Do you long for a personal relationship in the Beloved, to nurture that relationship, and to discover how it informs your actions in the world? Are you familiar and comfortable with deep spiritual inquiry, group work, solitude, action, and stillness? If so, this programme at Iona Abbey could be for
Come and help us get Iona Abbey Centre ready for the 2024 season. This week is for energetic people who don’t mind getting their hands dirty. This week is available at a discounted rate.
Come for some Time and Space to experience life in community at Iona Abbey. This includes participating in regular worship, sharing in meals and joining in community tasks that contribute to our shared life. Arrive on Saturday or Tuesday of this week for a 6 or 3 night stay.
Join us at Camas for a week of nurturing our land, whilst nurturing yourself, with a week of simple community living and sharing common tasks together in our abundant organic garden and woodland. This week is available at a discounted rate.
Experience the heartache, confusion, silence and joy of the journey through Holy Week into Easter. Facilitated by Jo Love and Pat Bennett.
This week will allow you to experience life in community at Iona Abbey. This includes participating in regular worship, sharing in meals and joining in community tasks that contribute to our shared life.
Come for a three night short stay and experience life in community at Iona Abbey. This includes participating in regular worship, sharing in meals and joining in community tasks that contribute to our shared life.
Come for some Time and Space to experience life in community at Iona Abbey. This includes participating in regular worship, sharing in meals and joining in community tasks that contribute to our shared life. Arrive on Saturday or Tuesday of this week for a 6 or 3 night stay.
Led by Iocal artist, Mhairi Killin, this week will include illustrated talks, mindful observation, conversation time to create. All are welcome, regardless of artistic skill experience, just bring an active imagination.
A gathering to deepen faith, encourage action in love & solidarity with Creation, face truth, and build spiritual resilience. Facilitated by Rev. David Coleman, Chaplain of Eco-Congregation Scotland, and others.
USA North East