Sounds of Iona March 2026
We often, rightly, talk about the culture of capitalism and individualism we inhabit, not least in the ‘western’ world. As it continues to expand, so many of us hear, see, and indeed experience its harmful and even fatal consequences. Former Labour MP Alan Milburn is reviewing what’s behind the exponential rise in the number of Neets – young people in the UK who are not in education, employment or training; he says it is ‘a social catastrophe, an economic catastrophe and a political catastrophe’. He’s right.
This morning on the radio I was reminded that the rise of industrialisation, which began over 250 years ago, saw people moving from ‘agricultural spaces’ to the expanding towns and cities, away from their families and local communities. I wouldn’t say it was all bad but, in today’s climate (literally and metaphorically), its impact is worsening people’s mental, social and spiritual health.
As members of a dispersed, intentional community, I trust we are all not only grateful for, but purposely conscious of, the gifts that community brings as we journey together with God and each other.
Yet, how often do we – individually, in Family Group – reflect on ‘our Common Life’? What does that mean for us personally? What does it mean for today’s world? Being part of the Abbey Team, whether ‘resident’ (in an Iona Community home) or ‘non-resident’ (living in our own home) we are committed to living the Common Life (or at least ‘a’ common life!) as we rebuild and renew community week by week – with staff, volunteers, Members in Residence, guests, and even visitors, most of whom are only with us for a short time. It is, of course, a vital part of our living in community here, modelling our values beyond our job remits.
The commitment includes eating together daily with guests, participating in and even leading services, making time for socialising as a team, caring for our ‘homes’, looking out for one another, and our own self-care. How we live it out differs for each of us, but as each year progresses, it is very clear that it is a ‘demanding common task’ – inspiring, challenging, exhausting, precious and costly. At its best, it is beyond words and teaches us the importance of inter-dependence. All part of our worship … which, as Kathy Galloway taught me, means ‘giving God worth’.
Each of us reading this, will have different experiences of living in community – whether with family or friends, literally living together or coming together regularly to share space and time – with people whether of faith or not. Some of you will have experience in different countries perhaps in southern Africa, where the wonderful word ‘Ubuntu’ originates, meaning ‘a person is a person through other people’. “This guiding principle emphasises community over individuality, recognising that our identities and actions are shaped by our relationships and interactions.”
How can we, as an ever-evolving community, gathered and scattered, share the benefits and learning from our common life, in all its forms? Our world needs to re-discover the power, resilience and well-being that community brings, and not only in times of tragedy. What part do we, and can we, play to re-ignite that?
USA North East