Lent in Community 2026
Poetry, prayer and shared reflection.
This year, the Iona Community’s Lent programme gathers around poetry, prayer and intergenerational reflection.
Across three online events we make space for lament and solidarity, for fresh voices asking ancient questions, and for poetry that helps us attend to what really matters.
Together they trace a Lent journey rooted in hope and lived in community.
All events are online and open to all, donations welcome.
And you can get all your Lent, Holy Week and Easter from Wild Goose Publications here:
Lent, Holy Week and Easter Books
Lent, Holy Week and Easter eBooks
And find a special selection of liturgies and prayers for download here.
Feb 25th 10.45am Tawona Sitholé with Alison Phipps.
Folding a River – Poetry, solidarity, and shared witness.
Our first Lent event marks the launch of Folding a River by Alison Phipps and Tawona Sitholé.
This collection of poems emerge from long practice in accompaniment, peace-building, and intercultural work. The online launch will be hosted by the authors along with their colleagues and poetry students in Gaza whom they teach, a shared space of listening, lament, and solidarity from Palestine to Scotland and beyond.
March 12th 7pm – Reflections for Holy Week with Ruth Harvey and the young people of the Iona Community
Our Lent journey continues with a new book shaped by Ruth Harvey, Leader of the Iona Community, in collaboration with the young people of the Community. This gathering offers reflections and prayers for Holy Week, rooted in intergenerational conversation and lived experience. It is an invitation to listen deeply and to allow fresh voices to reframe how we approach Holy Week.
March 26th 7pm Lent Poetry Readings and the launch of ‘What a Wondrous Love’ Poetry for Holy Week with Bonnie Thurston
Our Lent programme closes with an evening of Lent Poetry  readings and the launch of What a Wondrous Love by Bonnie Thurston, a short book of poems and reflections for Holy Week, together we will hold the final days of Lent with simplicity and depth, allowing poetry to unite us in community
Experience the peace of Iona in early spring
Single room occupancy available to all guests
Experience the peace of Iona in spring. You’ll get a sense of having the island to
yourself and have a bedroom to yourself at the Abbey, if you would like it. Single room occupancy now available for many of our pre Easter stays. Find more information and book your place here.
USA North East