IONA ABBEY PROGRAMME & BOOKINGS

The Iona Community warmly invites you to stay in Iona Abbey as our guest. Join with us in community life, in the work and worship that frames our day, and in a programme offering stimulating input and interaction along with time and space.

In our programmes, guests engage in conversation and action focussed on justice and peace, embedded in the concerns of the Iona Community.  We explore faith, take part in creative activities, and discover community over meals. There is time and space to relax outdoors, explore the beautiful island with its white sandy beaches and profusion of wildlife, take time apart to reflect, read, walk or write – or simply to be quiet in the peace of the church or the landscape.

LIVING IN COMMUNITY

True to its beginnings and the rebuilding of life in community, time staying at Iona Abbey includes time spent sharing in the practical tasks of communal living, including helping with cooking, cleaning and hosting. Most rooms are shared, and bathroom facilities are also shared. Our renovated living quarters means that there are accessible bedrooms and bathrooms for those who require this. You will also be invited to join in the daily services of worship in the Abbey Church and, if you wish, help to plan and lead services.

Every week, ‘The Pilgrimage’ visits key Iona landmarks, pausing for moments of reflection. Boat trips to Staffa are also very popular.  Browse books of poetry, history, prayers and issues of concern, and purchase postcards and gifts in the  The Iona Community Shop

BOOKING INFORMATION

While you are making your own booking, please consider making a donation towards helping someone else experience a stay at Iona Abbey (see below for details).

Please read our FAQs before you book.

CANCELLATION POLICY

• Deposit payments are ALWAYS non-refundable and non-transferable.
• Full booking balance must be paid 42 days before arrival. Bookings made less than or equal to 42 days require the full balance to be made on Booking.
• If cancelled 42 days or less prior to the trip to Iona the full cost is non-refundable and non-transferable.
• All guests booking a week at the Abbey are therefore strongly advised to take travel insurance to cover the eventuality of cancellations.
• In the event that, for unforeseen reasons, a paid place cannot be taken at the last minute, we would only ever consider a refund of the balance payment if there was a waiting list for the week and your place could be given to another guest. If there was no waiting list, we would ask that you claim on your travel insurance.
• If your insurance policy could not cover your claim, we might consider a transfer if there were weeks later in the season with plenty of remaining availability.
• If we are able to offer alternative dates but these do not suit you or you have to cancel the alternative dates, then the non-refundable and non-transferable policy would apply in full.

ACCESSIBLE TO ALL

We know that the cost of travelling to and staying at Iona Abbey can be prohibitive to many. We offer a range of reduced prices, and discounts on all weeks. In addition, working through our Partners, we have committed a portion of our beds at the Abbey each week of the season, and in one of our island cottages, offered free of charge to those in particular need. See our Unlocked programme for more information.

2022 PROGRAMME (2023 programme)

JULY

2 – 8 July: Pilgrimage at the margins: dignity, agency and power with Niall Cooper celebrating Church Action on Poverty’s 40th anniversary. We will listen to and amplify the truths revealed by people and communities on the margins of British society, sharing their vision for the future and standing in solidarity with them, speaking truth to power about the changes needed to bring this about.

9 – 15 July: Time and Space for families  to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

16 – 22 July: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

23 – 29 July: Youth Festival 2022: Be the Change a week of amazing activity and community building for young people aged 14 – 18. This week is only open for small group booking (no individual bookings for 2022 – sorry! Maybe next year….). We are delighted that Siskin Green will be joining us to regale us with a concert on the Sunday evening, and with music and drumming workshops on the Monday. Further reductions, in addition to those advertised, are available – finance should never be the final deciding factor in joining this event.

AUGUST

30 July – 5 August: In the Ongoing. 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. We hope that all who come are keen to be actively involved in the programme.  When you reserve a place, Wild Goose Resource Group will be in touch to find out about your interest in creative worship. Remaining places prioritised for individuals; interested groups will be placed on a waiting list.

6 – 12 August: Community Week. Members of the Iona Community gather on Iona.  This week is only open to Members of the Iona Community.

13 – 19 August: Time and Space for families  to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

20 – 26 August: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

27 August – 2 September: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

SEPTEMBER

3 – 9 September: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

10 – 16 September: Students’ Week (title tbc) A week for students to experience life in community, to share laughter and stories, to explore the island and to reflect on current concerns.  This week is jointly led by Iona Community staff with staff and students from Glasgow University and the Student Christian Movement. We are delighted that we’ll be joined by Mx Ashwin Africanus Thyssen from Stellenbosch University for this week. Note re cost: students in full time education are eligible for our 50% reduction. We want to make sure that cost doesn’t prevent you from joining in with this programme. If you need further financial support for travel and/or for attendance, please contact warden@iona.org.uk – we’ll do all we can to help you join in.

19 – 22 September (Monday to Thursday): Religious Leaders’ Programme (a partnership between the Iona Community and Interfaith Scotland). A time for religious leaders from diverse traditions to come together share in community on the island of Iona where we’ll learn about the island’s significance to the spirituality of Scotland and explore its natural beauty. Reflecting on the purpose of the Scottish Religious Leaders’ Forum, we will plan for the future, enjoy meals and life in community, and share collective wisdom about facing and responding to the challenges in twenty first century Scotland. We will co-create a multi-faith 20th Anniversary Service of Commitment, Celebration and Re-dedication in Iona Abbey (live-streamed globally).  This is a shortened week, running Monday-Thursday.

24 – 30 September: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

OCTOBER

1 – 7 October: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

8 – 14 October: Musing on the Miracles. 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. With John Bell.

15 – 21 October: Associate Members’ Week. Associate Members are invited to join Caitlin Wakefield, Membership Manager, and others in a week exploring what it means to be an Associate Member of the Iona Community. There will be time for reflection together and engaging with the passions and concerns of the Iona Community. This week is only open to Associate Members of the Iona Community.

22 – 28 October: Time and Space to experience life in community and explore the here and now through creative expression and shared reflection on the Iona Community concerns for inclusion, sustainability and mutual accountability.

29 October – 4 November: Work Week for energetic people who don’t mind getting their hands dirty, helping with some end of season jobs.

NOVEMBER

10 – 15 November: Quiet Week: for individual guests (no programme, but sharing community meals and worship).

17 – 22 November: Quiet Week: for individual guests (no programme, but sharing community meals and worship).

24 – 29 November: Quiet Week: for individual guests (no programme, but sharing community meals and worship).

DECEMBER

22 – 28 December: Christmas on Iona: celebrate the feast of Christmas in good company amid the winter beauty of Iona.

COSTS for 2022

Abbey prices include accommodation; breakfast, lunch, dinner and other refreshments; all programme sessions, music, art and craft opportunities, materials and guided walks.

Prices shown are inclusive of VAT         Deposit for all bookings: 20% (non-refundable)

ACCESSIBLE TO ALL

We know that some people cannot afford these prices. We encourage groups to raise funds to support their own members. The Iona Community has an access fund to help those resident in the UK who would not otherwise be able to come. Subsidies, including towards cost of travel, may be available. We encourage group leaders or individuals to apply for this via the Bookings Administrator.  We want all people to be able to come to the Abbey, and will offer what support we can.