Sabbatical Dispatch #1
Dear UDLC,
Blessings from the sacred Isle of Iona in Scotland, where, in the year 563, St. Columba established a monastic community and an outpost to spread Christianity through the British Isles.
Iona marks the culmination of my pilgrimage hike across the Isle of Mull (the island on the way to Iona). I hiked over 33 miles across 3 days, led by my guide, Wendy Lloyd. We walked across the south coast of Mull, covering shorelines, cliffs, rolling hills, and more sheep than I could count. We began each leg of our walk with an intention and the summarized each day with three keys words. In between, for hours on the trail (and off trail), we laughed, reflected, shared favorite books and stories, talked about ministry, listened for God, met local friends, and made space for long stretches of comfortable silences, just listening to our footsteps, the water, the wind, and the sheep. We are accompanied by Wendy’s very friendly dog, Wallace. Some of the words that arose, for me, out of our walking were: wonder, integration, gratitude, strength, freedom, adventure, and the importance of looking back and seeing how are we’ve come. I’m still processing all of it. The experience was more than I hoped for and it was the most challenging hike I’ve ever done.
I found a quote, an old Celtic saying, that captures it well, “Let your feet follow your heart until you find your place of resurrection.”
Here are my hosts, Jon and Wendy Lloyd…and Wallace. I stayed in a yurt on their croft (small farm). They were the most kind and gracious hosts. On my final night we went out to dinner and attended a concert at the local village hall.
Hiking Day 1: Lochbuie to Carsaig
On day one we mostly walked along the shoreline, pausing at a medieval castle and the Old Post Office for coffee and cake—some of my favorite things! At then end of the day, we stopped for dinner and there was a bagpiper playing Amazing Grace on the shore of the loch.
Day 2: Carsaig to Bunessan
On day two we hiked along the soaring cliffs overlooking the shoreline, looking down on waterfalls and across to other islands. It was along this part of the hike that Iona first came into view.
Day 3: Bunessan to Fionnphort
On day three we visited the coast at Ardalanish, where we visited a traditional wool mill, then made our way across rolling hills (more sheep and now highland cows) and finally arriving at Fionnphont, the end of the Isle Mull, with Iona just a short ferry ride away.
The landscape of Mull was spectacular—ancient, dramatic, windswept, and varied. I’m grateful to Wendy and Jon for making it possible to have such a meaningful experience.
I have now begun my retreat on Iona. We have been warmly welcomed, well fed, and we had a beautiful Sunday morning worship service in the Abbey Church. I was able to help distribute the communion elements. Jenny is also here. She and our friend, Stef, are attending a program at the hotel next door, gaining inspiration from the Irish poet, Padraig O’Tuama. We will be here until Friday and then it is off to Ireland.
I will send more dispatches in the days ahead. For now, I’ll just say that it is amazing to stay and worship in a place that is so old, where people of faith have been praying, serving, and worshipping for centuries. Places like this give me such hope—that whatever challenges we face, the people of God find a way to endure, to adapt, and to grow. Lucky for us, we don’t have to deal with Vikings pillaging our church, which is what the old monks and residents of Iona had to contend with back in the day.
You remain ever in my prayers. I have lighted a candle in the Abbey Church in prayer and gratitude for you.
