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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Iona Community
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DTSTART:20250101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260926T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261002T090000
DTSTAMP:20260423T040725
CREATED:20250409T175336Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251107T104020Z
UID:38201-1790434800-1790931600@iona.org.uk
SUMMARY:John Bell - Weathering the Storm (FULLY BOOKED)
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Every decade has its own challenges\, but the 2020s seem to have more than most.  \nTogether we will reflect on what resources\, particularly from a faith perspective\, enable people to deal with such issues\, both personal and political.  \nProgramme leader \n\n\n \n\nJohn Bell is an ordained minister\, a member of the Iona Community and a writer and occasional broadcaster. He is a much-loved contributor at Greenbelt Festival. He teaches and lectures worldwide on issues of faith\, social justice\, music and liturgy. \n\n  \n  \n\nCosts \n\n6 Nights: £870 or £435 concession[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”Book Here” style=”custom” custom_text=”#666666″ css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fportal.freetobook.com%2Freservations%3Fw_id%3D43736%26w_tkn%3DZ8ayvaEvw2SsrbCpGHLzeQZxQGqxQJy163aSHXVJnHbgCb53vffml4WKihlt5%26checkIn%3D2026-09-26%26stayLength%3D6|target:_blank” el_class=”tealbtn generalbtn”][vc_btn title=”Essential Booking Information” style=”custom” custom_text=”#666666″ css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fiona.org.uk%2Fvisit-and-stay%2Fiona-abbey-essential-booking-information-2026%2F|target:_blank” el_class=”tealoutlinebtn generalbtn rightbtn”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://iona.org.uk/event/john-bell-weathering-the-storm-sept/
LOCATION:Iona Abbey Centre\, Isle of Iona\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Iona Abbey Programme 2026
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://iona.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Weathering-the-Storm-Sept-FB.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261003T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261009T090000
DTSTAMP:20260423T040725
CREATED:20250430T170414Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T094208Z
UID:38374-1791039600-1791536400@iona.org.uk
SUMMARY:Hopeful Imagination - Alastair McIntosh (fully booked)
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]\nWe live in times of turmoil – wars\, climate change\, poverty\, the pushing back of democracy. Times where religion itself is being idolatrously abused to serve power\, just as Christ himself was tempted: “All these kingdoms can be yours….”   \nAlice Walker said\, “Resistance is the secret of possessing joy.” From where might such joy resurge? The Celtic saints knew. They understood – as do some of today’s great theologians like Walter Wink and Walter Brueggemann – the deep imagination\, both our own and that of God.  \nThrough talks\, walks and a shared common life this week Alastair McIntosh will explore the imagination and action across three themes. Re-membering what has been dismembered\, what has brought us both individually and collectively to where we are now. Re-visioning how spiritual hope can renew our lives and the world. And Re-claiming spiritual skills\, especially those of prophetic vision\, action and discernment.  \nLike the nuns and monks of St Coumba’s time\, what might we learn from a week in community with one another\, with God and with nature? What might we take back out to the world\, perhaps in “new ways found to touch the hearts of all”?  \nWe’ll explore through talks from Alastair\, and walks\, and sharing in the common life at Iona Abbey. Delight!  \nBackground reading:  \nWalter Brueggemann\, Hopeful Imagination   \nAlastair McIntosh\, Poacher’s Pilgrimage  \nAlice Walker\, Revolutionary Petunias  and Horses Make a Landscape Look more Beautiful (poetry)  \nProgramme leader \n\n\n \n\nAlastair McIntosh is a human ecologist and Quaker from the Isle of Lewis\, a trustee of the GalGael Trust in Govan\, and an honorary professor at Glasgow University. His books include Soil and Soul\, Poacher’s Pilgrimage and Spiritual Activism.   \n\nwww.AlastairMcIntosh.com  \n  \n  \n  \n\nCosts \n\n6 Nights: £870 or £435 concession[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”Book Here” style=”custom” custom_text=”#666666″ css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fportal.freetobook.com%2Freservations%3Fw_id%3D43736%26w_tkn%3DZ8ayvaEvw2SsrbCpGHLzeQZxQGqxQJy163aSHXVJnHbgCb53vffml4WKihlt5%26checkIn%3D2026-10-03%26stayLength%3D6|target:_blank” el_class=”tealbtn generalbtn”][vc_btn title=”Essential Booking Information” style=”custom” custom_text=”#666666″ css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fiona.org.uk%2Fvisit-and-stay%2Fiona-abbey-essential-booking-information-2026%2F|target:_blank” el_class=”tealoutlinebtn generalbtn rightbtn”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://iona.org.uk/event/hopeful-imagination/
LOCATION:Iona Abbey Centre\, Isle of Iona\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Iona Abbey Programme 2026
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://iona.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Hopeful-Imagination-2026-2-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261010T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261016T090000
DTSTAMP:20260423T040725
CREATED:20250513T070856Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260130T190248Z
UID:38472-1791644400-1792141200@iona.org.uk
SUMMARY:Festival of Writing and Storytelling (LIMITED AVAILABILITY)
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]\nThe Festival of Writing and Storytelling is open to all who love to read and listen to stories. Whether you are an experienced writer or exploring writing for the first time\, this week is for you. \nYou’ll get the opportunity to workshop with writers from different backgrounds and genres\, to find out more about different creative processes\, and to find your own literary voice along the way. \nThere will also be plenty of time to enjoy hearty meals form the Iona Abbey Kitchen\, explore the rugged and wild island landscape\, tell stories by the fireside\, and share in the love of words as a community – written\, read and spoken. \nFestival Contributors\n\nLamorna Ash  \nLamorna Ash is an author and journalist based in London. Her first book\, Dark Salt Clear\, was shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize in 2020 and won the Somerset Maugham prize in 2021. Her second book\, Don’t Forget We’re Here Forever\, came out in May 2025\, and was a Telegraph and GQ Book of the Year.  \n  \n  \nMargaret Elphinstone \nMargaret Elphinstone is the author of Lost People (Wild Goose 2005)\, a novella offering hope and redemption in a time of war and desolation. Lost People was shortlisted for the 2024 Saltire fiction award. Margaret is the author of nine earlier novels\, including The Gathering Night\, Voyageurs and the award-winning Sea Road. [She has worked as an organic gardener and an academic and is Emerita Professor of writing at Strathclyde University.]  Her poetry collection will be published by Wild Goose during 2026. She lives in Galloway.  \n  \n \nNiamh Ní Mhaoileoin \nNiamh Ní Mhaoileoin is an Irish writer based in Edinburgh. Her debut novel\, Ordinary Saints\, was published in April 2025. It was shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize\, was a Radio 2 Book Club Pick\, and was shortlisted for two Books Are My Bag awards. \n  \n  \nMore contributors to be announced soon! \nCosts \n\n  \n\n6 Nights: £870 or £435 concession[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][/vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][vc_btn title=”Book Here” style=”custom” custom_text=”#666666″ css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fportal.freetobook.com%2Freservations%3Fw_id%3D43736%26w_tkn%3DZ8ayvaEvw2SsrbCpGHLzeQZxQGqxQJy163aSHXVJnHbgCb53vffml4WKihlt5%26checkIn%3D2026-10-10%26stayLength%3D6|target:_blank” el_class=”tealbtn generalbtn”][vc_btn title=”Essential Booking Information” style=”custom” custom_text=”#666666″ css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fiona.org.uk%2Fvisit-and-stay%2Fiona-abbey-essential-booking-information-2026%2F|target:_blank” el_class=”tealoutlinebtn generalbtn rightbtn”]
URL:https://iona.org.uk/event/festival-of-writing-and-storytelling-2/
LOCATION:Iona Abbey Centre\, Isle of Iona\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Iona Abbey Programme 2026
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://iona.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LA-Festival-of-writing-and-storytelling.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261017T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261023T090000
DTSTAMP:20260423T040725
CREATED:20250513T065431Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260303T165737Z
UID:38467-1792249200-1792746000@iona.org.uk
SUMMARY:Politics\, Power and Protest
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]\n\nThe late Archbishop Desmond Tutu once famously observed\, “When people say that religion and politics don’t mix\, I wonder which Bible it is they are reading.” Engagement with politics is one vital way that Christians can live out the commandment to love our neighbours\, seek justice and peace\, and pursue God’s kingdom.  \nThis can daunting\, dangerous or a diversion when the political world is often shouty and toxic and there seems little common ground. Yet this is a time when we need politics – and good people willing to serve in public life – to rise to the many complex long-term challenges facing us locally\, nationally and globally. \nWe’ll spend some time exploring the relationship between faith and politics\, and looking at lessons from the Bible and history about different ways of engaging with power and politics – from protest to participation. \nWe’ll hear about the reality of life as a politician\, and how some church communities have been able to build purposeful relationships with MPs\, modelling an approach to politics characterised by listening\, kindness and truthfulness. \nThroughout we will have opportunities to reflect on our own experience\, context\, power and calling\, and how we might use them to further the causes we believe in. \nProgramme facilitators \nSimeon Mitchell leads the Joint Public Issues Team\, which helps the Baptist\, Methodist and United Reformed Churches\, and the Church of Scotland\, to work together for justice and peace. He is a Methodist\, living in Oxford\, with a background is in international development. \n  \n  \n\n  \n  \n\nRevd. Steve Tinning is a Baptist minister and serves as the Baptist Union’s Public Issues Enabler and as a member of the Joint Public Issues Team. At heart\, Steve is an activist\, with practical theology and community-organising theory working as the foundations of a ministry of justice and compassion. \n  \n  \n  \nCost \n\n6 Nights: £870 or £435 concession[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”Book Here” style=”custom” custom_text=”#666666″ css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fportal.freetobook.com%2Freservations%3Fw_id%3D43736%26w_tkn%3DZ8ayvaEvw2SsrbCpGHLzeQZxQGqxQJy163aSHXVJnHbgCb53vffml4WKihlt5%26checkIn%3D2026-10-17%26stayLength%3D6|target:_blank” el_class=”tealbtn generalbtn”][vc_btn title=”Essential Booking Information” style=”custom” custom_text=”#666666″ css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fiona.org.uk%2Fvisit-and-stay%2Fiona-abbey-essential-booking-information-2026%2F|target:_blank” el_class=”tealoutlinebtn generalbtn rightbtn”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://iona.org.uk/event/time-and-space-13/
LOCATION:Iona Abbey Centre\, Isle of Iona\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Iona Abbey Programme 2026
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://iona.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261024T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261030T090000
DTSTAMP:20260423T040725
CREATED:20250501T100958Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T115111Z
UID:38381-1792854000-1793350800@iona.org.uk
SUMMARY:Contemplation in Community - with Stephen Wright (1 place available)
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Contemplation in Community – with Stephen Wright \n\n\nWe invite you to join us for this special week of contemplation in community. This week is led by Stephen Wright a member of the Iona Community. It is intended for those who are comfortable with deep spiritual inquiry and ready to go deeper along that particular Way known as contemplation. Stephen will offer an insight into the Heartfulness nature of contemplation\, how to be open to it\, and how to live the contemplative Way in all the gifts and challenges of our everyday lives. \nOur time here will centre around an intensive engagement with contemplative practices. There will be daily periods of group work\, reflection and conversation\, combined with long periods of solitude\, silence and stillness. Both will aid the inner prayerful and reflective journey that supports our longing for relationship in the One in whom ‘we live and move and have our being’. \nWe will be further nurtured by the sacred presence of Iona Abbey and its community\, the elemental beauty of this special island and its long history of attentiveness to the sacred. \nThere will also be moments of grounding our insights by helping with the everyday tasks of living in community. The deep inner life does not have to be separate from the outer. \nShared expectations and practicalities\nMost meals and interim activities will be taken in quiet\, but there will be opportunities\, for those who wish\, to enjoy social time and conversation.  \nAccommodation will be offered as single occupancy rooms at Iona Abbey. Private time is an essential component of this programme. However\, we can offer room sharing if you wish to bring a close friend or partner also wishing to join the course. \n\n\nFacilitator\nLed by Stephen Wright\, this programme will draw upon the collaborative work of the Sacred Space Foundation and the Diocese of Carlisle in the St. Kentigern School and Community for Contemplatives. Stephen is a Member of the Iona Community\, a director of the Sacred Space Foundation\, an ordained Interfaith minister and spiritual director. \nYou can listen to Stephen’s Heartfulness webinar\, given to the Iona Community in May 2022\, here: \n \nCosts \n6 Nights: £870 or £435 concession[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”Book Here” style=”custom” custom_text=”#666666″ css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fportal.freetobook.com%2Freservations%3Fw_id%3D43736%26w_tkn%3DZ8ayvaEvw2SsrbCpGHLzeQZxQGqxQJy163aSHXVJnHbgCb53vffml4WKihlt5%26checkIn%3D2026-10-24%26stayLength%3D6|target:_blank” el_class=”tealbtn generalbtn”][vc_btn title=”Essential Booking Information” style=”custom” custom_text=”#666666″ css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fiona.org.uk%2Fvisit-and-stay%2Fiona-abbey-essential-booking-information-2026%2F|target:_blank” el_class=”tealoutlinebtn generalbtn rightbtn”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][/vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column]
URL:https://iona.org.uk/event/contemplation-in-community-2026/
LOCATION:Iona Abbey Centre\, Isle of Iona\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Iona Abbey Programme 2026
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://iona.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/FB-Contemplation-in-Community.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261031T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261106T090000
DTSTAMP:20260423T040725
CREATED:20250320T132636Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260419T154406Z
UID:37953-1793458800-1793955600@iona.org.uk
SUMMARY:Winter Work Week (2 places available)
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Winter Work Week:  31st October – 6th November 2026  \nAs the nights close in and we welcome the quieter months\, our staff and volunteers help tuck the Abbey accommodation in for a winter rest. We’d love for you to be part of this special experience! \nThis discounted week is perfect for energetic people who enjoy hands-on\, practical work and don’t mind getting their hands a little dirty. \nThroughout the week\, you’ll become part of the Abbey’s rhythm—balancing meaningful work with worship\, shared meals\, and opportunities for connection. Each day brings a variety of tasks\, from gardening and painting\, to cleaning and preparing the worship spaces. \nPast participants speak of the joy of working together on a common task\, forming new friendships\, and sharing plenty of laughter. There’s also time to unwind and explore Iona. Guests often enjoy experiencing Iona during these quieter days as the tourist season winds down. We end the week with a ceilidh celebration— always a highlight! \nIf you can’t join us in winter\, we also offer a Work Week in March (7th–13th) as we prepare the Abbey for the coming season. \nCome and be part of this special week—we’d love to welcome you! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCosts \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n6 Nights: This week is offered at a discounted rate of £438 or concession rate of £219.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”BOOK HERE” style=”custom” custom_background=”#568ea4″ custom_text=”#eae8e8″ css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fportal.freetobook.com%2Freservations%3Fw_id%3D43736%26w_tkn%3DZ8ayvaEvw2SsrbCpGHLzeQZxQGqxQJy163aSHXVJnHbgCb53vffml4WKihlt5%26checkIn%3D2026-10-31%26stayLength%3D6|target:_blank”][vc_btn title=”ESSENTIAL BOOKING INFORMATION” style=”custom” custom_background=”#568ea4″ custom_text=”#eae8e8″ css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fiona.org.uk%2Fvisit-and-stay%2Fiona-abbey-essential-booking-information-2026%2F|title:ESSENTIAL%20BOOKING%20INFORMATION|target:_blank” el_class=”tealoutlinebtn generalbtn rightbtn”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://iona.org.uk/event/winter-work-week-2/
LOCATION:Iona Abbey Centre\, Isle of Iona\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Iona Abbey Programme 2026
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://iona.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/LA-Winter-Work-Week.png
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