... hopefully for better reasons than that the next hymn has been announced. Rarely do we explore reasons for singing, but when we do, the enjoyment of the congregational song increases. This is a session led by John L. Bell for everyone, not just for the “musically gifted”.
‘Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs’. The title comes from St Paul, but the material comes from many centuries and around the world. Songs shared here by John L. Bell have been gathered or written by people in the Iona Community over the last 30 years and are now sung all over the world. However the
John L. Bell will be keynote speaker and Jo Love will lead a creative workshop at this gathering of laity and clergy from the Scottish Episcopal Diocese of St. Andrew's, Dunkeld and Dunblane, to celebrate the work of God in their congregations, and to be encouraged and equipped to participate in the Mission of God
Biblical blethers on the hoof XXXX Ayr shorefront or River Ayr via Auchincruive to Annbank - 3pm start. Details Cost: Free (tho’ donations welcomed) Booking / RSVP: If you can, please let us know if you’re coming (see the bottom of this page, under Venue details) or email us: weewonderbox@wildgoose.scot Venue: TBC To receive
Throughout the traditional denominations of the western church the word 'change' both unites and polarises people. There is general agreement that some things should change; but which things – music, liturgy, buildings, organisational structures? And when it comes to alternatives there is rarely unanimity. Rather than become embroiled in the detail of which colour to
What changes are Christians likely to face in the future and how will we cope with these changes in a positive way, given that most Christians are resistant to change? This is the first session in the Moving Forward in Song day led by John L. Bell.
Churches don't normally sing about pastoral and political issues - depression, ageing, refugees, multi-faith societies. These new songs will include several new texts set to known tunes; sing theology that helps enable a larger understanding of God's presence in the world around us. This is the second session in the Moving Forward in Song day
Festival of Words and Ideas 2017 Celebratory Service, with speaker John L. Bell and poet Ian Adams.
As part of the 'Ways With Words' Festival, John L. Bell explores how, in novels and poetry as much as in direct speech, we are always dealing with experience, imagination and nuances which colour our reception of the communications we receive.
A week with the Wild Goose Resource Group on Iona For many people in churches, change is a no-go area, a source of stress and the cause of major disagreement.Yet change is the central dynamic of the Christian faith: Jesus both changes people and in the resurrection moves from being a corpse to a living
John L. Bell will participate in this JUST FESTIVAL Panel Conversation chaired by the Rt Rev Bruce Cameron. Discussions surrounding ageing often tend to focus on the negative aspects of old age rather than the contribution made by older people to society. Religion and spiritual needs are often overlooked due to a stronger emphasis put
The Wild Goose Resource Group and The Iona Community @ Greenbelt Festival. Northern Lights our partnership venue featuring - Iona Community, WGRG, Church Action on Poverty, Fischy Music new location – find us near the ‘junction’ between the two halves of the festival field (near where the Tiny Tea Tent was last year!) NL programme is
Between 1st and 13th September, John L. Bell will be working in South Africa at venues which include the following: Bedfordview Methodist Church, Johannesburg Community in Christ, Johannesburg The University of Johannesburg St. George's Anglican Church, Parktown, Johannesburg St. John's Anglican Church, Walmer, Port Elizabeth The Cathedral Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Port Elizabeth Cathedral of
Each week between September 2017 and June 2018, weeWONDERBOX offers a weekly Iona Community & Wild Goose liturgy.
A time to still your body, mind and soul, be affirmed and comforted as well as challenged. Participative worship which uses unaccompanied song, music, conversation and simple symbolic action to explore how the Word, our experience and lives intersect.
Each liturgy is led variously by the Iona Community Programme Team, the Wild Goose Resource Group, Iona Community members, associates or friends.
Danish / Scottish conversations on Liturgy Monday 18 – Wednesday 20 September 2017 Denmark is a predominantly Lutheran nation, Scotland, a predominantly Calvinist one, in terms of their respective Christian heritage. There are distinctive spiritual streams, but each in practice, incorporates other significant influences. So in this year, marking 500 years since the Reformation, a
A one-day conference for leadership and laity, envisioning and discovering God's glory in the Church. John L. Bell is one of the keynote speakers, in the area of Devotion.
A service of prayers for healing and laying on of hands
On the last Wednesday of each month between September 2017 and June 2018, weeWONDERBOX offers a monthly liturgy that consists of prayer and action for healing, hope and well-being.
A monthly workshop course on music – its purpose and potential, how to use it imaginatively in congregations and much more.
Led by John L. Bell, Jane Bentley & Carol McArthur.
The course is open to all who are interested in the potential of music in the church – its importance in worship, pastoral work, and spirituality. Each evening is self-contained, so that participants may come for the whole course or specific evenings.
Evening conversations with Wild Goose Publications authors & others Short, long, complicated, intriguing, and interesting words from authors of Wild Goose Publications. Come and listen to their experiences, storytelling, and share your ideas about writing and reading. Wee Words is a monthly series of literary opportunities, hosted by Alex O'Neill and other Wild Goose Publications
John L. Bell presents an exploration of world music and its influence on the Western church.
Sunday morning adult education hour with John L. Bell.
John L. Bell is guest preacher at Central Presbyterian's Sunday morning worship.
A monthly event - after our Wednesday Wee Weekly Worship - focusing on pressing, topical or intriguing issues concerning faith, politics, society and culture. In the original Greek myth, when Pandora opened her box (or jar), death and many other 'evils' escaped into the world. All that was left in it was ... hope. We
At the Hymn Society's Center for Congregational Song launch event, John L. Bell will lead a session entitled Sing and Serve.
The Lester Randall Preaching Fellowship, aka the Toronto Festival of Preaching - an ecumenical gathering of clergy, at which John L. Bell will lead worship and present a workshop entitled 'The Importance of the Imagination', and a Big Sing.
weeWONDERBOX is delighted to welcome Rob Halligan to perform an evening gig as part of our 2017-18 programme and his Wild Horses UK Tour. The BBC once described Rob as “Bruce Springsteen having English tea with Billy Bragg”. It’s been a good comparison although you could maybe invite more people along to the party, as
Some people say that men are from Mars and women are from Venus - but how can we learn to live together on planet Earth? John L. Bell opens the ‘Pandora’s Box’ of the Bible to discover surprises, contradictions and enlightenment and to engage us in a conversation about gender and sexuality that’s less about
John L. Bell addresses a meeting of the Rutland Theological Society. If the Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan doesn't re-issue an updated version of The Times They Are a-Changin', people of faith should at least try to offer some lifelines to a society bewildered by Brexit, Trump, Immigrants and the Economy. Prophetic communities such as the
John L. Bell speaks at a meeting of 'Exploring Faith: Reimagining Church in the 21st-22nd Century'. This lecture has been arranged through the Montgomery Trust
Biblical blethers on the hoof “Fire Works” ... well, does it?! Come and walk as we explore some well-known and less well-known Biblical tales featuring fire. A preparatory challenge - have a look for the one that intrigues you most! We'll be visiting Baidlandhill, Dalry. Meet at Cross, Dalry town centre @ 2.30pm. Train from
An eight-session DVD-based study series on overcoming the Church’s biblical betrayal of its non-violent God. Tuesdays @ 7.00-9.00pm; 7 Nov / 14 Nov / 21 Nov / 28 Nov / 9 Jan / 16 Jan / 23 Jan / 30 Jan.
Some see the Bible as a book of problems, others a book of answers; some can hardly scan a line without being reminded of the voice of their childhood priest or pastor; others never open it, but keep it handy just in case; and for some others, it is seen as a book which can best be opened
Looking at the gospel stories through the stories of three women: Mary of Bethany, Mary of Nazareth, Mary of Magdala The three Marys have been characters upon whom Christianity has long hung archetypes: Virgin, Bossy, Prostitute. During this urban retreat, Pádraig Ó Tuama will help us explore the stories of these extraordinary women in the
For many lay people in the West, the Bible is a book which needs to be opened by a priest or pastor... as if God only spoke to those who were ordained. Yet for most of human history and for most people in the world today, the Bible was not a book, but a family
Something old, something new, not much Christmas, but special attention to Advent and Epiphany. These are songs for everyone to sing, because they have been sung by all ages and stages, music readers and people who prefer reading knitting patterns. So everyone should come - knitters especially welcome.
If you’ve had a holiday clearout, or Santa missed the mark with one or two not-quite-you gifts, bring along anything that someone else might like, and see what others bring that takes your fancy! Feel free to come empty-handed! Refreshments provided, suggested donation £3. Anything left unswapped will be given to local charity shops. From
An evening of light entertainment with John Bell. Seasonal Stories and Songs on the theme of Hidden Humour in Holy Scriptures. This event will be in aid of L'Arche. Refreshments provided.
An evening of light entertainment with John Bell of the Iona Community. Tickets £10. All proceeds to Iona Abbey Capital Appeal. Appeal Info
Unfortunately, due to a low level of interest Dust & Ashes has been cancelled. Our apologies. A Lenten Urban Retreat A short, afternoon time for reflection in the city, for those who wish to ponder the nature of the season. Following previous successful urban retreats, this is a second opportunity to take time to focus
An evening of light entertainment with John Bell of the Iona Community. Tickets £10. All proceeds to Iona Abbey Capital Appeal. Appeal Info
Saturday morning explorations and meditations on foot This is not round Iona, or Cuthbert’s Way or the Camino, but a focused stroll around Glasgow. We are enabling a series of these on the third Saturday of each month, from February to April 2018, as part of the weeWONDERBOX programme. Each morning will focus on a
An evening of light entertainment with John Bell of the Iona Community. Tickets £10. All proceeds to Iona Abbey Capital Appeal. Appeal Info
An evening of light entertainment with John Bell of the Iona Community. Tickets £10. All proceeds to Iona Abbey Capital Appeal. Appeal Info
A Montgomery Trust Lecture by John L. Bell. Studies have shown that what we sing is what we end up believing, irrespective of the calibre of pulpit oratory we experience. In this lecture, we reflect on how songs, traditional and contemporary, shape popular theology. THIS LECTURE HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO THE WEATHER CONDITIONS. A NEW DATE WILL
Not simply a baby in arms and Saviour on the cross – this is the starting point for this retreat. The incarnation did not happen so that Jesus could die, nor was his death primarily a consequence of his birth despite the words of hymns and creeds. Jesus’ life, particularly his three-year ministry, showed us
A monthly workshop course on music – its purpose and potential, how to use it imaginatively in congregations and much more.
Led by John L. Bell, Jane Bentley & Carol McArthur.
The course is open to all who are interested in the potential of music in the church – its importance in worship, pastoral work, and spirituality. Each evening is self-contained, so that participants may come for the whole course or specific evenings.
John L. Bell will talk on The Love of God and Global Warming.
USA North East