ABOUT THE IONA COMMUNITY AS AN ORGANISATION:
Q: Where can I find out more about working for the Iona Community?
A: We advertise residents’ posts here at our website. You can apply to become a volunteer at any time of the year, although most positions are allocated at the beginning of each year.
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Q: Can I become a member of your community?
A: Yes, after a period of two years as an Associate Member, you can apply to the Leader of the Community for full membership.
Q: What’s the difference between a Member, Associate and Friend?
A: The main difference is the level of commitment to the 5 fold Rule of the Iona Community, which Members follow. This involves: Daily Prayer and Bible reading; Sharing and accounting for the use of our money; Planning and accounting for the use of our time; Action for Justice and Peace in society and Meeting with and accounting to each other. Associates and Friends follow some of these commitments but not all.
Q: Why are you called “Wild Goose”?
A: The Wild Goose is said to be an old Celtic symbol of the Holy Spirit, whether that’s just a legend or an actual fact. The Publishing department of the Iona Community is called Wild Goose Publications. Wild Goose Resource Group (WGRG) is the department working with liturgy and music, and Wild Goose Worship Group (no longer existing) was a group of lay people who worked with evaluating and co-writing materials for WGRG, as well as taking parts in events all over the UK. The term “Wild Goose” is sometimes used to describe our materials (mainly from WGRG), although it’s not a term we ourselves use.
Q: Does the Iona Community work in other parts of the world?
A: Some members of the Iona Community live abroad, as well as many of our Associates and Friends. Sometimes people with an interest in the Iona Community plan small national gatherings abroad, and Germany and Sweden are two of the countries who have “Iona networks” for people with an interest in our organisation. As an ecumenical movement, we have many contacts in other countries, and sometimes attend conferences and international gatherings, or visit other countries to meet up with and learn from other churches. (like recently when several Iona Community members have visited and strengthened our friendship with a congregation in Guguletu. South Africa) But we don’t initiate work in those countries, but sometimes support what other organisations or individuals are doing.
Q: I was on Iona in 19XX, who can help me to trace the person/song/prayer I came across there?
A: This is a hard question, we can’t give out information about former guests, nor staff. But we will certainly try and help you find the song/prayer you are looking for. Contact the Island centres in the first instance, and they will pass you on to the relevant department if necessary.
Q: What is the difference between Camas and the centres on Iona?
A: Camas is located on the isle of Mull about 1 mile from the Iona ferry and a further 20 minute walk over the hills. It offers a program of environmental education and outdoor activities which are particualry popular with young people, but adults are also welcome at certain times of the year.
Q: I am a student/researcher - where can I find more information about the Iona Community?
A: If you look under the heading "About the Community" on our website there is a a section there which includes an Iona Community Reading List.
ABOUT THE IONA COMMUNITY ISLAND’S CENTRES:
Q: How far in advance do I need to book a place at the Abbey / MacLeod Centre?
A: We don’t allocate places on a first-come/first-served basis. We try and ensure a mixture of different people/nationalities. So especially if you are a group, the earlier you apply, the better. And if you can give us several options of dates for your visit, you have an even better chance of being allocated a place. But we do sometimes have vacancies last-minute, so it’s worth contacting us to find out.
Q: Have monks ever lived in the Abbey?
A: Monks have lived on what is believed to be the site of the present Abbey.
First Columba’s monks, and the Benedictine monks in the medieval age. But since the Abbey was rebuilt, it has only been inhabited by guests and staff of the Iona Community.
Q: Can I apply for a grant to stay at your centres?
A: We do have an Access Fund, so do contact us if you or anyone you know is prohibited to come to stay with us for financial reasons.
Q: Can you cater for food allergies?
A: Yes, our kitchens are used to cater for people with different food allergies / intolerances. If you have a severe food intolerance (eg. can’t even be near certain foods) you should contact us for further advice.
Q: Can I bring small children, pets or people with disabilities to Iona?
A: If you have children, the MacLeod Centre is the best place to stay. During popular weeks of the year, we even have a Children’s Programme for parts of the day. Unfortunately you can’t bring any pets to our centres, although several of the Hotels and B&Bs on the island accept pets. For people in wheelchairs, the MacLeod Centre is also the best building to stay in, with a disabled toilet and ground floor access to the dining room and bed rooms. The Abbey Church has disabled access for the services, and also has an Induction Loop system. There is a tarmac road on the island, leading between all the main buildings, so prams and wheelchairs are welcome.
Q: Why do I have to stay a whole week at your centres?
A: Staying on Iona is like making a journey with the people you meet. Our programme starts with a Welcome service, and ends with a Leaving service, and the time in between is about building community with both staff and guests. It would be hard for both yourselves, and the other guests, if you came in the middle of a programme week.
Contact us for more information. Also look out for our shorter “taster programmes” which we offer at certain times of the year.
Q: What happens if I have to cancel? Will I get my money back
A: It is important to insure your holiday, including travel, as we cannot refund any payments in the event of cancellation. When you book your holiday you are entering into a legally binding contract. If you are forced to cancel or cut short your holiday, for whatever reason, you may be liable for cancellation charges we have to make (i.e. the balance outstanding on your booking). Therefore we strongly recommend you take out insurance and include details of a suitable policy. Overseas visitors should arrange their own insurance.
Q: How do I get to Iona?
A:Between early March and mid-October, trains and buses leave Glasgow Queen St and Buchanan St stations around 0800 and 1200 noon (depending on season - please check with service provider).
The morning departures get you to Oban in time for the mid-day ferry from Oban to the Isle of Mull, which is met by the local service bus which takes you through Mull to Fionnphort, where you take the afternoon ferry to Iona. The mid-day departures from Glasgow get you to Oban in time for the 1600 ferry to Mull, the 1650 bus through Mull and the 1815 ferry to Iona.
Out of season, the 1800 Iona ferry has to be booked by phoning 01680 812343 before 4pm the day before you require the ferry.
All times given are approximate and must be checked. Please note that cars are not permitted on Iona and must be left either in Oban long-stay car parks, or in Fionnphort, Mull.
Advance reservations for cars are essential on the Oban-Mull ferry reservations@calmac.co.uk.
For further journey details visit traveline scotland
Q: Can I take a car to Iona?
A: You can book a car on the ferry Oban-Mull, and then drive across Mull. There is a long-term parking in Oban and at Fionnphort (where the ferry leaves from Mull to Iona) but you can unfortunately not take a car to Iona itself, unless you are a permanent resident on the island. Most people find public transport the easiest way to get to Iona, but if you plan to explore Mull on the way to/from Iona, parking at Fionnphort is an option.
Q: Can a person in a wheelchair access transport and activities while on the island?
A: Both the Oban - Mull, and Fionnphort - Iona ferries can take wheelchairs. The buses across Mull are not handicap-friendly but there are taxi companies on Mull which could provide the transport between the ferries. If you find accommodation quite central on the island, it should be possible to access most buildings / events. Even the weekly pilgrimage is sometimes offered as a shorter “on-road” pilgrimage for people with mobility problems.
Q: What accommodation not linked to the Iona Community is there on the island?
A: There are two hotels, one hostel, self catering cottages, several B&B’s and a small campsite. More information on
http://www.isle-of-iona.com
Q: What shops / facilities are there on Iona?
A: There is a small SPAR shop, a Post Office and a General Store with basic pharmacy items, clothes and household items. There are also several souvenir shops and restaurants, and a pub. One of the hotels usually provides internet access. There is however NO bank or cash machine. Most shops and restaurants take credit cards.
Q: What facilities are there in a medical emergency?
A: If you need a doctor, there is a small surgery on the island once a week, and the possibility to be taken to Mull at other times. Several members of the Iona Community staff have First Aid training, and in a real emergency, it’s possible to be airlifted off the island.
Q: Is it true I can get stuck on the island if there is a storm?
A: This is unusual, but yes, Iona is an island, and if the ferries need to be cancelled due to bad weather, it happens that people have to wait for a few hours up to an extra day to leave the island. Not something to worry about, but you should be aware of the remote possibility if you are booking flights that can’t be re-scheduled.
WHAT’S HAPPENING WHILE ON IONA?
Q: If I don’t live in the Iona Community centres, but find accommodation elsewhere on the island, what activities run by the Iona Community can I take part in?
A: All services are open to the public, as well as the weekly pilgrimage and Ceilidh (traditional dance and song evening). Sometimes there are also small talks or other events. The island council sometimes put on small concert. craft fairs etc on the island too.
Q: How long / hard is the pilgrimage?
A: Most weeks from mid March to early November there are two pilgrimages around the island, usually on a Tuesday. These are primarily for guests of the Iona Community staying at their islands' centres, but are also open to members of the public. The on-road pilgrimage is about 2-3 miles and starts at approx 12noon. The off-road pilgrimage is about 6-7 miles long over sometimes boggy and difficult terrain. It starts at approx 10.15am
Q: Is there a possibility for counselling / pastoral care while staying at your centres?
A. We are not a therapeutic community and so do not have the capacity nor expertise to provide this sort of care.
ABOUT OUR RESOURCES AND MAINLAND EVENTS
Q: Why don’t you have more materials on Celtic Spirituality?
A: We acknowledge our Celtic roots as a mainly Scottish organisation, and our materials and worship are inspired by certain elements of the Celtic tradition. But we don’t claim to represent an altogether Celtic Spirituality, or even say that anyone can say exactly what that is today!
Q: What activities are run by the Iona Community in the rest of the UK?
A: We don’t aim to run events of our own, but we sometimes join in with other organisation at events, and our Leader Peter Macdonald and some other members are often asked to lead retreats or do workshops and talks. In Glasgow, WGRG is hosting a monthly ecumenical worship service called Holy City (see
www.holycity-glasgow.co.uk)
Our work is mainly represented by our members, and their involvement in local churches and organisations, so you might come across Iona Community members and associates at a large number of events!
Q: Why can’t I find all your books on the Ionabooks website?
A: Some books can be out of print, or even be sold by another department.
Wild Goose Resource Group (WGRG) produces some resources that are sold by that department directly, and some Iona Community members write and publish books through other publishers. Phone our mainland office (0141-332 6343) with questions about book titles and we will try and trace them for you!
Q: Can I change or translate your materials to use in my own church or country?
A: We have copyright guidelines you can either be sent by post or find on the ionabooks website (
www.ionabooks.com). We allow words to be used freely in Worship, but if you want to change or add to a text we would ask you to contact us first.
Many of our resources are already translated into other languages, and we can advice you on materials already published in other languages.
You would always need to contact us first before translating and using texts or songs abroad.
Q: What’s the difference between “Iona songs” and “Iona worship” and other traditions?
A: These are both terms we don’t use ourselves, since they try and unify what actually is a very diverse treasure trove of song and liturgy. There are many forms of worship used in our community, and the common link is that the worship should be relevant, incarnational (Christ becoming human) and using both our hearts and senses in the form of symbol, movement, responsive readings, singing, poetry, humour, remembering the Worldwide Church and praying and acting for peace and justice…
If you have visited Iona, you will probably find that the services in the Abbey have a certain style in common, although we would not attempt to define exactly what that is!
Our liturgical books and song books all represent the diversity in our organisation, as well as our common interests in relevant and down-to-earth song and worship.
