The Iona Community News

Staff Positions on Iona from January 2010

2009-06-25T13:04:30Z

We are looking for people with relevant experience to join our small hardworking team on Iona, to share a common life and extend our ministry of hospitality to guests from all over the world.

We are currently looking for the following posts commencing January 2010

Assistant Shop Manager: 3 year appointment

Hospitality Team: MacLeod Centre Cook, up to1 Year

Hospitality Team: Housekeepers (2), up to 1 year

Hospitality Team: Support Worker, up to 1 year

Sacristan/Programme Support: up to ten months

Centre Resource Coordinator: 3 Year post or non-residential.

Closing Date 9th July, Interviews week commencing 3rd August.

Applicants must have relevant experience in any of the above areas of work, be able to work as part of a team and have a flexible and open outlook to their work, and share the Iona Community’s Christian commitment.

Posts are offered with board and lodgings and a monthly allowance.

For more information visit our staff vacancy page or contact: The Admin Team Leader, The Iona Community, The Abbey, Isle of Iona, Argyll PS76 6SN t: 01681 700404 e: adminteamleader@iona.org.uk

A reading from the Iona Community

2009-06-21T16:14:19Z

THE NEED OF THE STRANGER

The hospitality we owe to the stranger who comes among us is well and widely understood. The Old Testament abounds with exhortations to care for the sojourner, the traveller, the person who, by definition, is not ‘one of us’. Leviticus 19:34, Exodus 22:21, Deuteronomy 24:17 – these and many more passages urge us to meet the needs of the stranger. ‘You shall love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.’ The letter to the Hebrews takes up the same theme with its encouragement to welcome the stranger (Hebrews 13:1). We hardly require a second telling to respond to the stranger’s need.What we are slow to recognise is our need of the stranger.

The stranger may have an identity, in nationality, colour or creed, that is different from the surrounding majority. For that reason, he or she has the potential for cracking our prejudices,breaking our horizons, disturbing our complacencies. That potential is precarious. People of faith often have exclusive tendencies and none more so than the Jews.Yet the book of Ruth is not only one of the loveliest in the Bible, it is also a special favourite among Jews. It is read in its entirety at the Jewish celebration of Pentecost. Indeed, Ruth holds a position among Jews comparable,we are told, to that which Mary holds among Christians. It is not easy for us to know precisely what Ruth’s contribution to her new nation was, but she demonstrates a steadfast loyalty at the personal level. ‘Your people shall be my people and your God my God’ (Ruth 1:16). These are some of the most strongly ecumenical words in the Bible. No Jew would question Ruth’s contribution to
Israel’s history. Yet Ruth was an outsider; she was a Moabitess; she was one of ‘them’. This suggests a truth which we may find uncomfortable. We need the stranger more than the stranger needs us.

Maxwell Craig

From 'This Is the Day: Readings and Meditations from the Iona Community', Neil Paynter (ed.) Wild Goose Publications

www.ionabooks.com

Edition 5 of the Iona Community e-bulletin is online now

2009-06-11T11:34:57Z

The 5th edition of the Iona Community e-bulletin is now online. Get all the latest news and features – and much more!

www.iona.org.uk/coracle.php

Regional plenary - Sheffield - 3 October 2009

2009-06-09T16:34:51Z

Venue: Central United Reformed Church, Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 2JB (by kind permission of the Minister, Bob Heathcote).

Time: 1030 – 1600

Speaker: Rev Dr Inderjit Bhogal OBE
Inderjit is a friend of our purpose, having taken groups up to Iona before and with a long association with the Corymeela Community. He was President of Methodist Conference in 2000 and Director of the Urban Theology Unit in Sheffield before taking up his current post as Director of Yorkshire & Humberside Faiths Forum. His is Chair of the Anti-Slavery Memorial group ‘Set All Free’ and Chair of the ‘City of Sanctuary’ Movement. Inderjit will share with us his vision for Cities of Sanctuary and offer a few challenges.

The day will also include opportunities for interaction with others, discussion, worship and a wee sing.

The cost of the day will be £10.00 per person by cheque payable to ‘Iona Family Group (The Iona Community)’) or cash on arrival. Lunch (sandwiches, hot soups and snacks) and tea/coffee are included in the price.

We welcome children and would like to offer creche facilities to those who require it. If you wish to avail yourselves of this facility you must put your request in writing to me BEFORE July 31 so that we can make the necessary arrangements. An adjacent child friendly room has been reserved. You will appreciate that professional childcare arrangements are expensive however we intend to offer a reduced price for children!

The hall is on the first floor but there is wheelchair/lift access available. Kitchen and toilets are on the same floor.

The Venue is easily accessible by all means of transport. We would encourage you to book your travel in advance so as not to overburden the Travel Pool unnecessarily:

Sheffield Train and Bus (including National Express Coaches) Interchanges are 5 minutes walk away (our venue is opposite the Crucible Theatre)

By car you can enter Sheffield from junction 33 M1 and park either at the ‘Park & Ride’ or at the NCP Car Park close to the venue.

Members should let their Family Group Convener know if they are planning to attend: Associates or Friends of the Community should contact Phil Jakob direct on coriander@philipjakob.plus.com.

April Iona Community e-bulletin online now

2009-05-12T13:57:48Z

Go to the Coracle section of the website for the latest e-bulletin, and for past editions:

www.iona.org.uk/coracle.php

Easter Day Sermon from the Abbey

2009-04-17T09:06:09Z

A full transcript of Kathy Galloway's Easter Day sermon can be downloaded here.

Additional Accommodation available at the Abbey

2009-04-16T12:34:13Z

24th - 30th October is now a Gathering Place week at the Abbey. Contact Carol Dougall 01681 700404 or abbey.bookings@iona.org.uk for more details.

March e-bulletin online now

2009-04-14T13:14:52Z

Check out the new Iona Community e-bulletin: Features, News, Campaigns, Reviews, Worship resources – and more

New Welcome Centre nears completion

2009-03-13T15:29:23Z

with nearly £1M raised the Growing Hope Appeal sees the second stage of development drawing to a conclusion with the Community's new Welcome Centre on Iona, due to open at the end of March >>>>

The Iona Community is entering the third and final phase of its Growing Hope Appeal which will underpin the £1 million already raised and invested firstly in the development the Camas Centre on Mull during 2007 – where the Iona Community works with disadvantaged and marginalised youngsters - and secondly in 2009 the development (now near completion) of a new Welcome Centre, incorporating the Community's shop, on the Island of Iona where the Community is now able to offer information, resources and exhibitions to island visitors about the Community’s life and concerns, on Iona and beyond.

We are now seeking contributions towards a capital project estimated at £350,000 to provide accommodation for 5 staff members, essential for our ministry of hospitality to guests staying at the Community’s residential centres on Iona and day visitors to the island. This project takes place within the context of an initiative, in which the Community is involved along with a number of public and local organisations are involved, to co-ordinate the promotion of Iona to potential visitors. The current project to develop and improve accommodation for Community's staff will thus contribute significantly to the securing of jobs, which in any rural community is essential to sustain the economy of this remote island and to enable the presentation and interpretation of an important world renowned tourist and pilgrim destination.

The project will see accommodation being provided in a newly constructed extension to the rear of the Community’s Founder, George MacLeod’s landmark island house “Dunsmeorach” situated on the roadside leading to the ancient Abbey.

Nearly £100,000 has already been raised or pledged for this final phase of the Appeal and with your support and financial contribution you will be helping to realise our aim and see the project’s completion by 2010.

February E-Bulletin online now

2009-02-27T16:29:03Z

Check out the new Iona Community e-bulletin: Features, News, Campaigns, Reviews, Worship resources – and more>>>

New Leader of the Iona Community announced.

2009-02-16T00:00:00Z

On Saturday it was announced that Rev Peter MacDonald, currently minister of St George's West Church in Edinburgh, would be the new Leader of the Iona Community, taking over from Rev Kathy Galloway when she finished her 7 year term at the end July.

EXPLORING LENT 21st - 27th March 2009

2009-02-04T12:43:10Z

EXPLORING LENT

Traditionally Lent has been observed in Christian churches as the period from Ash Wednesday through to Palm Sunday, in part remembering the forty days Jesus spent in the desert after his baptism by John in the River Jordan. It was a time of solitude, fasting and prayer, in preparation for the beginning of his ministry in Galilee and beyond. It was also a time of temptation, when the allure of worldly power and spiritual glamour assailed a man weakened by hunger, danger and the interior as well as exterior exposure of the desert.

Lent has always been considered a time when followers of Jesus practice a measure of interior withdrawal and reflection, in which to look with some honesty at the wilderness places in our hearts and lives, to remember and name our own frailties and to hear again the call to conversion, to turning as the lost son did and heading for home.

An opportunity to explore these Lenten themes in community and individually, within the framework of prayer, discussion, song and creative expression staying at our centres on Iona from 21st - 27th March.

For information on how to book contact abbey.bookings@iona.org.uk or phone 01681 700404