A cross, stained glass triquetra and a bible signed by George MacLeod
Photo credit: C Penney/Iona Community
In July’s Sounds of Iona, Caro Penney reflects on experiences and gifts from the 2025 season so far…
Guest feedback
Here in the Abbey, we live in the midst of the ebbing and flowing of the Sound of Iona which, every week, brings new and different tides – of guests, volunteers and visitors, of gifts and challenges, of powerful stories of transformation. The following messages were written on cards left for us :
from a recent volunteer: ‘Thank you for welcoming me once again with love and open arms! I know that all of us come to Iona with different backstories and dreams, so I hope that Iona will give you all what you are seeking, just as you have helped make that come true for me!’
from a recent guest: ‘This has been the most special place I have ever visited, and it’s because of your kindness, love and generosity of spirit. I feel so well loved and accepted and ‘at home’. This has healed a part of me and I will never forget you.’
from another guest – who has Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities and came with his mum and some friends: Dear Community Friends, How do you do? Thank you for looking after me. I enjoyed being here with you. Lovely food – delicious! Lots of love xx
from parents of someone we’ve been praying for on Tuesday evenings: Our son, who suffered a massive stroke, has made a remarkable recovery, and our family have no doubt that this was due to your prayers and all the others around the world who prayed for him. He still has a long way to go but … thanks to you all, we do appreciate it.
Surprise gifts
Hearing stories from, and about, people who have been to Iona many times, or just once, recently or decades ago, also reminds us of the breadth and depth of this community of which we are all a part. Last week I was the receiver of three surprise gifts to the Abbey: a stained glass triquetra made by a guest Gary; a stoneware cross made by Julie Baxter in honour of her parents,Ray and the late Richard Baxter – longstanding Members; and a bible, signed by George MacLeod in 1939, given that year to a member of the early team of craftsmen and ministers, whose name was Markus Barth, from Basel, Switzerland. I had to google him and discovered that he, like his father Karl, was a prominent theologian who had spent time in Scotland!
Hope in community
In these days of ‘radical uncertainty’, as our Prime Minister has said, of climate emergency and rocky international relations, we need these sources of hope in community …
In the midst of gales and showers, there are shafts of sunshine
in the midst of fear and craziness in the world, there are rays of hope
in the midst of all our comings and goings, there are gleams of goodwill
in the midst of tides and swells, there are moments of calm
so, gathered and scattered,
we journey on with the God of radical justice and outrageous love
to be amazed by the Spirit’s boldness, creativity and insight
that holds us, and frees us
to take the road less travelled
in the name of God, to the heart of God …
Caro Penney, warden of Iona Abbey
USA North East