The Iona Community News

A reading from the Iona Community

2008-06-30T01:16:00Z

The Second Coming
(A story from Hong Kong)

With Raymond Fung, of the Hong Kong Industrial Mission, and others, 600 factory workers in that colony, who had become Christians in the last four years, worked on the interpretation within their own situation of the main doctrines of the Christian faith. Incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, justification – these could be made recognisable realities, full of meaning in the Hong Kong industrial context. It was exciting to find old doctrines come alive within that very special context.

But one doctrine baffled them – the Second Coming. They found it hard to pray Even so, come Lord Jesus.’ In their experience, that had been a get-out for facing life and coping with it exactly as it is. Jesus would come and put everything right – so you need not be bothered about sufferings now, either of others or of yourself. How could those who hungered and thirsted for justice be content to sit passively under conditions as they existed and just wait for the return of Jesus Christ? In their Bible study periods, the factory workers came back again and again to the theme. But that doctrine seemed alien. It did not come alive, as the others did.

Then came a terrible industrial accident. Six workers, including a Christian, were killed. There was a mass funeral with 1000 people attending. Both the pastor and the chairman of the Communist trade union were given the opportunity to speak.

The pastor spoke for an hour. His speech was divisive. He spoke of heaven and hell, the narrow and wide gates. Those who were of his kind and view would be saved, others would be lost.

The chairman of the Communist trade union spoke for only three or four minutes, but with great effectiveness. He pledged his union to fight for better legislation and better safety regulations; and ended with the communist exhortation to the relatives to go on living courageously.

The Christian workers were furious. Here was a time to express solidarity in the human family and Christians had been divided off from unbelievers. An opportunity had been passed up of witnessing to Christ’s justice and judgement and healing.

Some of the new Christians met afterwards to give vent to their anger at the distortion of the gospel in the mouth of the pastor. One, in high indignation, blurted out, ‘I wish Jesus had been here to speak for himself.’

At once, for many, the key turned in the lock of the doctrine of the Second Coming. The Christian group began to see how poorly they represented Christ on earth – not only the pastor, but all of them.

Ian M Fraser
From Holy Ground: Liturgies and worship resources for an engaged spirituality, Neil Paynter and Helen Boothroyd, Wild Goose Publications

www.ionabooks.com/newSite/sections/bookshop/moreinfo.asp

www.ionabooks.com

Don't miss a news update. Get an RSS feed

2008-06-25T14:38:23Z

Don't miss an news update. Get an RSS feed

If the page you are viewing has an RSS feed then hould notice that the RSS symbol on your browser tool bar is coloured orange. By clicking on this and then registering, you will be able to received regular updates.

RSS feeds are currently on our
Main News page
Island centre News and
Youth News Pages.

Resident group vacancies - 2008/09

2008-06-22T14:29:51Z

Are you looking for an alternative, counter cultural and spiritually challenging way to live? Then consider joining the Resident Group at our centres on the island of Iona, to share a common life and extend our ministry of hospitality to guests from all over the world?

The Iona Community currently has vacancies on the Resident Group at Iona for the coming season.

Shop Manager
MacLeod Centre Warden
Cook
Housekeeper
Programme Coordinator
Support Worker

If you are interested, find out more >>>

Bulletin Board - update

2008-06-10T13:05:32Z

For Members and Associate Members of the Community a new bulletin board service is now operatonal on the website.

Please register, log-in and share information/discussion on issues of concern to you

Sell your unwanted goods on eBay and raise funds for the Iona Community

2008-06-02T09:48:41Z

Sell your unwanted goods on eBay and raise funds for the Iona Community.

eBay for Charity allows you to list an item on eBay and donate 10-100% of your final sale price to us – it’s that easy.

To learn more about how you can support the Iona Community on eBay, visit www.ebay.co.uk/charity

To sell an item now, click here

Pick up a bargain CD

2008-05-16T13:34:04Z

Looking for a music CD for yourself or a friend?

We are selling surplus stock from the Abbey Shop at knock down prices on Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/shops/index.html?ie=UTF8&sellerID=A3LJA3313T5SV8

Drop into our on-line shop and grab a bargain.

Letter from Jayyous May 2008

2008-05-13T14:23:56Z

Jayyous May 2008. An Introduction.

You’re at the New Gate into the old city of Jerusalem. You leave and go down the hill towards the Damascus gate. You take a left turn at the Damascus gate and go the ‘green bus’ station situated just below the entrance to the Garden Tomb. You take the no. 18 bus to Ramallah. You pass through the Kalandia check point into the city of Ramallah and disembark. You wander through the centre for a while until you come to the little square where the taxis and service buses leave from. You take a service bus and an hour and a half later after skirting round much of the neighbouring village of Azzoun you reach your destination. Welcome to Jayyous.

Jayyous is situated close to the Palestinian city of Qualquilya in the north of the West Bank, just east of the separation fence. The population of Jayyous is approx. 3,500. 75% of Jayyous’ agricultural land is situated on the ‘seam zone’ side of the separation fence (for much of its duration the ‘wall’ is an electric fence with broad seams on either side). The ‘seam zone’ is the 10%+ of land between the green line and the separation fence, expropriated by Israel during its construction. The Jayyous farmers need visitors’ permits to reach their land. At first after the construction of the separation wall/fence permits were given to everyone. Since then the number of farmers receiving permits has fallen dramatically. We met one family with three or four fine strapping sons none of whom are in receipt of permits - the father is the only family member permitted to work his land. The duration of the permits has been getting shorter having been reduced from six months to three, altho’ we met two men today who showed us their six month permits. To get a permit you have to pass a visitors’ check and prove that you own the land. Israel doesn’t accept most Palestinian title deeds and only 20% of land labourers are now getting permits. To reach their land in the seam zone the farmers have to pass through barrier gates. These are only open for a short time first thing in the morning, at noon and in the evening. In the winter the farmers have to go through the gates early in the morning – they are not allowed to stay overnight, and in the summer they have to be there at the hottest part of the day.

In the village square there is a poster with pictures of the sons of Jayyous who have been killed in the conflict. Possibly akin to what you might see in certain parts of Belfast.

The nearest Palestinian city to Jayyous is Qualquilya which is almost completely surrounded by the wall/fence. To the east of Jayyous there are a number of villages including Al Funduq. Some years ago an Israeli settler was shot and killed while driving through the village.

The ecumenical accompaniers who have just left Jayyous are sorry to be leaving although they are of course looking forward to meeting up with their families back home. We had a simple but moving hand-over service in the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer on Saturday.

(See Ilan Pappe’s book, ‘The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine’).

A Difficult Birth: The Struggle for Democracy in Zimbabwe

2008-05-09T13:32:30Z

A Reflection on Zimbabwe in the perilous aftermath of the elections

Add the name of Zimbabwe to the list of beleagured countries that have suffered a military coup and are now under the yoke of a military cabal. The coup may have been staged without much fanfare and the necessary violence to effect it may not yet have reached the city streets, but a coup it is nonetheless. Robert Mugabe who was voted out of power in the elections of 29th March and the ZANU PF hawks to whose foolish counsel he has again listened (or is it submitted ?) are putting a different gloss on it of course but this is the reality. They have driven a horse and cart through the constitution, to the point at which not even their most willing accomplices in the art of disinformation can any longer claim they are acting within the law. The brute force on which this regime has relied for so long now stands revealed in all its ugliness, for all the world to see.

As I write the brute forces of coercion are taking up their positions across the country. Mugabe’s military top brass, guilty every one of them of untold crimes against humanity, have set up command centres under the control of so-called war veterans – code for Mugabe’s uniformed thugs. The war vets are his storm troops. They have been schooled in brutality and de-humanized by vile, fascist propaganda. They recognise no law apart from the word of their commander and are not answerable to any other for the heinous acts they perform in the name of ZANU PF. For their most vile acts of brutality they often psche themselves up on drugs. And these are the cadres who have been set in authority over the once-disciplined and professional police force. It is reported that some army units whose allegiance to ZANU PF is not as rock solid as it once was have been confined to barracks.

First on the hit list of these political thugs are the wards which switched allegiance from ZANU PF to the opposition in the recent elections. From Mugabe’s point of view the evidence against them is damning, for the same results posted outside the polling stations after the vote which enabled independent observers to calculate a greater number of votes for the MDC’s presidential candidate, Morgan Tsvangirai, than for Robert Mugabe, have proved their “guilt” in his eyes. And now it is retribution time. Thousands have been beaten, tortured and chased from their homes – which is exactly as the repressive forces would have it for any further election in which voters can only register to vote in their own wards. Torture centres have been reinstated for use as in the violent elections of 2000 and 2002 and at least ten people have already been murdered in the gathering mayhem.

I arrived in Zimbabwe a few days after the watershed elections and found there was great hope in the air – almost as tangible as the sweet smell of rain just before the first storm of the season mercifully breaks the African drought. The people had spoken. They had taken their courage in both hands. Defying every attempt by the ruling – better called, the ruining – clique to rig the elections, they had voted for change, and in such numbers as virtually to overwhelm the carefully-constucted rigging mechanisms of the Mugabe regime. So even the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), staffed by hand-picked ZANU-PF supporters, was forced to concede a greater number of seats in the House of Assembly to Tsvangirai’s MDC than to their own party, with the Mutambara faction of the MDC securing another 10 seats, to give the combined opposition control of Parliament. For the first time in the 28 year history of Zimbabwe ZANU PF had been defeated on the official count. Moreover it was confidently predicted that Tsvangirai had won the presidential contest, though not perhaps with the 50 per cent plus one required to avoid a run-off election. In any event he could count on a combined anti-Mugabe vote to sweep the latter away if he were foolish enough not to concede before a second ballot.

The excitement was like electricity in the air. Freedom, democracy and a return to the rule of law now seemed just days away.

But the delay in the official announcement of the presidential vote was ominous, and when ZEC officials moved (with the ballot boxes) to a new command centre from which opposition and independent observers were excluded, the alarm bells really began to ring. The mood in the country swiftly changed from stunned amazement to dismay. As one activist to whom I spoke put it, the old was refusing to die even though the new was already being born. The advent of freedom and democracy in Zimbabwe was to be a difficult birth indeed. Once again it was put on hold.

And I looked again at the tired people, worn down by years of long-suffering under a fascist regime that is not only brutal to its own people but entirely unconcerned at the economic melt-down for which it is responsible. The ruining elite have long cacooned themselves in a “bubble” of prosperity so they do not feel the pain which their reckless, doctrinaire policies inflict on other Zimbabweans.

I looked at the empty shelves of the supermarkets, the endless queues waiting in desperate hope for some essential item, and the gaunt-faced pensioners calculating if it was to be one egg today at 15 million dollars or perhaps a tomato at only 10 million.

I looked at the helpless hundreds waiting for the weekly hand-out of a tiny portion of maize meal at a church feeding scheme. And then watched the desperate mother waiting patiently for the drugs needed for the emaciated baby on her back. Without the nursing care and free drugs supplied by the volunteer team at that church clinic she would be without hope indeed. The state clinics and hospitals have long since run out of essential drugs, and most can not even supply a paracetamol to their patients.

Then I looked at the potholes in the roads, the dangerously-tilted telephone poles and the traffic lights working intermittently. The generally run-down and shabby state of the infrastructure are further testimony to the cost of putting democracy on hold indefinitely.

I looked into the eyes that registered dull resignation to such a fate, and I felt a huge sense of outrage; such totally unnecessary suffering – caused by the unquenchable lust for power and the deep fear of justice on the part of the tiny clique now holding the nation to ransom. They have just decreed, unilaterally, that the suffering is to continue - indefinitely.

This voracious, corrupt and violent clique is in a state of undeclared war against its own people. They are defying the clearly expressed will of the people. They are certainly defying God.

“How long, O Lord ? Will you hide yourself for ever ?”

Of course the fundamental issues in Zimbabwe go far deeper than one delinquent ruler refusing to relinquish the absolute power to which he has become accustomed. There are real historical grievances that have not been addressed. There are issues of governance and legitimacy involved, and behind them all the reality of a regime that has failed to transform itself from a liberation movement into a political organisation that is willing to operate within democratic structures and institutions. In Zimbabwe we are dealing with a ruling elite that will not tolerate alternative views. They have privatised the whole country. They have also militarised Zimbabwe in order to secure their own perpetual rule.

One serious danger that emerges out of the military take-over in Zimbabwe is that the ruling cabal will seek to fix the Mugabe succession in their own way, installing, at a time convenient to themselves, their own man in State House. That the man could well be Emmerson Mnangagwa is a terrifying prospect for the country for he it was who supervised the Gukurahundi massacre. He remains unrepentant to this day for such a monstrous crime. He has as many degrees in violence as Mugabe and is an utterly ruthless politician. Moreover he may well be the man whom Mugabe feels he has least to fear in ever permitting justice to take its course.

In a country noted for its religious observance the role of the Church is crucial. Realising this Mugabe moved early to either coerce church leaders into silence through fear or co-opt them to his cause, using the vast array of powers of patronage at his disposal for the purpose. Many in the main-line churches were thereby “neutralised” though it was pleasing on this visit to see how powerfully engaged in the quest for social and political transformation are some of the new ecumenical alliances of church leaders. Most significant of these in my judgment is the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance which arose out of the informal association, Churches in Bulawayo. In recent times it has so often been the Church in Bulawayo which has shown the way. The iconic Archbishop Pius Ncube (of Bulawayo) was one of those who blazed a trail which others are now following.

For many in the Church the infamous “Operation Murambatsvina” of 2005 was the wake-up call. When Mugabe sent his uniformed thugs on a blitzkrieg against those living on the margins of society and making their living in the informal sector, thereby depriving 700,000 of their homes and livelihoods and impacting on the lives of two million others, the whole country felt the shock waves. In a way Murambatsvina was for the nation what the Gukurahundi massacre of the 1980s was to Matabelealand. Though the latter was a more bloody episode (costing at least 20,000 lives) its impact was scarcely felt in the north and east of the country. Now after Murambatsvina the whole nation reacted with outrage – and from this point onwards many in the Church consciously sought to identify more closely with the poorest and with the victims of Mugabe’s mis-rule.

So today the Christian Alliance is actively involved, along with the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, in monitoring human rights abuses and empowering the victims to assert their human dignity and to claim their God-given rights. The Christian Alliance was also closely involved in monitoring the elections of 29th March, and is committed to seeking a way out of the present dangerous political impasse.

While in Zimbabwe I took the opportunity to listen to a number of church leaders as well as politicians and human rights activists. Time and again I would ask them what non-violent options remain to the opposition which has achieved a dramatic break through at the polls but has yet to unseat a wily dictator who is as much feared as he is hated. Time and again I received broadly the same reply – we need the help of the international community.

Zimbabwe’s non-violent freedom fighters insist that Robert Mugabe and the military junta through whom he now rules by decree must be ostracised and isolated from the community of nations. The ultimate objective must be that SADC and the African Union will cease to legitimize the theft of the elections and rape of the country, but as a step in that direction the Commonwealth, UN, EU and other democracies should increase the pressure on Zimbabwe’s neighbours to recognise the fact that an unelected military junta is not a good neighbour for the region. And Thabo Mbeki in particular who has shamelessly protected Mugabe from international criticism, thereby prolonging the suffering, must be made to realize that the days for his so-called “quiet diplomacy” are over. As Ban Ki Moon the UN Secretary-General has observed, nothing less than “the credibility of the democratic process in Africa could be at stake here”.

The UN must also be brought in to assist the process. The world body has already accepted the broad principle that where a national government cannot or will not act to protect its own citizens the normal doctrine of national sovereignty gives way to the duty to intervene. The principle certainly fits the facts on the ground in Zimbabwe today. It is pleasing to note that the Secretary-General himself has already proposed sending international observers to monitor any run-off election, but more needs to be done, and urgently, towards stabilizing the situation and protecting those already under attack from a murderous regime.

China’s mischievous policy on Zimbabwe also needs to be addressed. For too long the international community has accepted as an unchangeable fact of life that China will continue to provide succour and sustenance to Mugage’s vile rule. The despicable attempt by the Chinese to ship to Zimbabwe post haste at the request of Mugabe’s generals and in the tense aftermath of the elections, no fewer than three million rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 1,500 rocket-propelled grenades and more than 3,000 mortar rounds together with mortar tubes, is surely a step too far. Thank God for the alert trade unions and civic groups in South Africa that alerted the world to the danger – and to the complicity of their own government – but the danger is not yet over. At the very least China should know that if it persists in its support of a dangerous, destabilizing and anti-democratic regime in Africa there will be a heavy cost to pay at the Olympics.

Finally there is an important role for the world Church to play, both in pressing for the serious engagement of the international community in confronting the Zimbabwean tyranny and standing in solidarity with those brave Christians in Zimbabwe who are already risking so much in the struggle for freedom. On my short visit I saw for myself something of the cost of their discipleship. They live within a lawless state and are extremely vulnerable to the murderous regime. Many are without the resources they need or any effective support networks. They do not complain but surely it is the very least we can do to show our solidarity, both with the victims of mis-rule and those who are so bravely standing with them. They are after all the front-line workers of the kingdom.

And we must certainly continue to pray, that the nation will be delivered from the dread virus of sin that has already destroyed so many and so much in the beloved country. The words of Karl Barth come to mind: “to clasp hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.”

Graham Shaw
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

25th April 2008

From Cuba with Love

2008-04-01T09:37:01Z

Solidarity visit to Cuba - 24 March – 7 April

We’re off to Cuba! 3 Youth Associates (Pam Breen, Jo Marshall and Peter McColl) and 6 Members (Maggie Birley, Fred Booth, Katherine Rennie, Isabel Sarle, Carolyn Smyth and Neil Squires) are packing our bags for a solidarity visit to this Caribbean island. Why?

Well, there are 3 Cuban Associates now so we’re intending to meet up with them; we’re hoping to find out what life is really like there and have some conversations about ecology/environment including Cuba’s ‘green’ energy ; organic farming; sexuality and spirituality; health – social care – pastoral care; education and much more.

Many of the group also enjoy music – including singing and dancing; Neil is taking his fiddle so we’re hoping to share some of our musical traditions as well as learn Cuba’s (and not just salsa!).

The Iona Community has been to Cuba before: Ian Fraser has visited several times in the 1970s and 1990s and already we have heard and read some of his reflections. Bruce Kenrick, a Member who died a year ago, also visited Cuba in the 1970s and wrote a book “A Man From the Interior: Cuba’s Quest”. So we are following in hallowed footsteps and looking forward to opportunities for telling our Community’s story and our own stories, doing a virtual pilgrimage around Iona, singing songs from around the world.

Of course Cuba has been in the news recently with the retirement of Fidel Castro as President. Does this spell the beginning of the end of the Revolution or another step along the way, albeit a significant one? What can we in the free-market world which is heading for recession learn from the people of an island which has survived being largely excluded from our world? Why does Cuba send so many medical and other staff to help the poor of the world? Why are all the churches experiencing growth?

Questions, questions … no doubt we’ll come back with even more but hopefully one or two tentative answers too! While we’re there, we will try and send regular updates and once we’re back we look forward to sharing our experiences in different ways. Watch out for October Coracle … and more!

Wednesday 26th March

After a very VERY long day of travelling it was amazing to finally let my head hit the pillow and pass out.

It was rather surreal the next morning when I woke up - I had slept so well I had forgotten where I was. As you can imagine it was strange to hear the zooming of a truck, followed by the clip clop of horses and then the horn on a 1960´s car. However, the one thing I really noticed was the heat - I wasn´t in Paisley anymore.

Our day continued with a series of lectures within the centre. First of all we met with Raimundo who is the director of the Christian Centre for Reflection and Diolect (CCRD). He gave us a brief history and then a disctiption of the work done by the centre.

In some aspects it is similar to the Iona Community although they are missing one vital thing - A YOUTH DEPARTMENT! They do work with young people however, this is only in conjunction with other projects.

After lunch - the food is amazing by the way. We met with Diego who gave us a quick history lesson on Cuba. It was touching to see how much of an effort he had made as he produced poetry and writing which showed links between Cuba and Scotland.

We had an eventful evening to say the least however, Fred did get to fulfill a life long ambition by driving a horse and carriage on our tour of Cardenas.

A fantastic first day all washed down with a beer before bed.

Pam Breen

Thursday 27th March

The CCRD is an interesting place to stay ' our bedrooms are set on three floors around an open courtyard. Am getting used to the Cuban sounds birds in the trees in the courtyard the wind blowing around the buildingñ the change in the temperature is not greatly noticeable.

In the town the quietness is obvious transport so different very few cars, but those that there are are mostly large and very old cadellacs etc, and mostly bycycles and horses and carriages.

This morning we visited the organic farm run by the CCRD it is vast we were given a talk by the staff about organic farming and bio gas and were then shown around a very small part of the farmland, including being shown the biogas system which they have installed.

The CCRD has contracts with the Government for some of the produce and last year over 1000 tons was mostly given to hospitals, polyclinics and other needy organisations. social work depts received supplies at low prices.

In the afternoon we met with the Coordinators o f the different depts. within the Centre. Issues about counselling, publications, domestic violence and mediation were raised. There was then a lively discussion with the director and the team who manage the programme on sexuality.The programe seems to be twofold.

to provide a counselling service for teenagers concerned about their sexualityñ it is a requirement for a parent or a teacher to be present during the consultationñ.
to put on workshops to train other professionals such as nurse, doctors, and pastors so that they can in turn offer training.

The discussion was wide ranging and lively.

In the evening the group did a presentation on the IOna Community, which included 4 member of the group explaining their journey to becoming involved with the community, some Iona songs, and a short pilgrimage with slides and text. It was appreciate by the staff and friends who attended.

The director Raimondo has set us a challenge to consider during out time in Cuba How does a Centre become a community. It will be interesting to see how much help and ideas we can offer on this.

I am finding this a wonderful experience both in terms of the discussions, the people we are meeting and the country.

Katherine Rennie

From Cuba with Love 3

Today we made the hour-long journey to the University city of Matanzas, known as the Athens of Cuba’ because of its rich tradition of poetry, art and dance. Matanzas is home to the only ecumenical theological seminary in Cuba and we were warmly greeted by Francisco Marrero, Dean of the seminary, General Secretary of the Presbyterian Reformed Church in Cuba and also one of the three Cuban Associates of the Iona Community.

Founded in 1946 and situated at the top of a hill, with stunning views over Matanzas bay, the seminary campus was an oasis of calm, with a series of buildings set in beautifully kept grounds, including an organic garden on the slopes of the hill.

Shortly after we arrived, we attended morning worship, led by students and staff of the seminary, on the theme of disability, since today was a specially designated day for celebrating disabled people. The service was uplifting and inspiring, with beautiful prayers, a talk from a young disabled woman about the healing she had experienced through creating and teaching art and rousing singing from the seminary’s own song book. During the service, Katherine also explained the thinking behind the Iona Community’s ministry of healing.

We then spent time with Fransisco and he recalled warm memories of a visit to Iona a few years ago as well as his stay at St. Colm’s College in Edinburgh. We shared in the office before Fransisco gave a talk about the work of the Seminary. Around 90 people currently live in the Seminary, including visiting professors from Poland, Canada and Switzerland. Courses are offered to 532 students, mainly from Cuba but also from Haiti, Brazil, Equador, Uruguay and South Korea. There are currently 42 Episcopal and 57 Presbyterian students, with around 433 from ‘other’ denominations (made up of over 20 denominations, including Baptist, Catholic, Pentecostal, Quaker and ‘The Institute of Gender Relations’). A variety of courses are offered at the seminary, from Batchelor and Master degrees, to lay training for many people around the island.

Every day, students and staff lead worship in the Chapel, offering a variety of services, including Taize and the ‘Divine Lectionary’ and Francisco hopes to add Iona Community liturgies to the life of the Seminary.

We had an interesting discussion with Francisco about the history of the Church, pre− and post revolution, as well as the difference between the Presbyterian model in Europe and Cuba. In Cuba, Francisco explained that during worship, people are engaged in “moving and thinking”. When we asked him what this meant, he said, “When Cuban people sing, we need to move – the rhythm catches us!”

We presented Francisco with several Iona Community Liturgy resource books for the seminary library and a beautiful hand-made wooden clock made by Maggie. He was extremely grateful and clearly moved by the gifts. We then had a fantastic lunch alongside staff and students and spent a relaxing hour or so in the grounds of the seminary – some of us sitting in the shade, chatting or admiring the views of the bay, others meditating through walking the outdoor labyrinth. We all agreed that our time with Francisco, his colleagues and students had been very special and I had the impression that the links between the Iona Community and the Seminary at Matanzas will continue to grow and develop.

We then made the hour-long journey west, to Havana, where we would be hosted for the next three nights by Luyano Presbyterian Reformed Church. We received a warm welcome from Lucy Zuazo, another Associate of the Iona Community and other members of the congregation and enjoyed a delicious meal made by the Church’s Cook, who is employed to prepare daily lunches for elderly people within the neighbourhood as well as for visitors.

In the evening, we headed into Old Havana. Firstly, we made our way to the Old Fort for a wonderful view of the harbour and a spectacularly loud Canonball firing ceremony, at 9pm! Then, we had a stroll around the old town and had a taste of Havana, sampling refreshing Mojito´s (cocktails made from white rum, lime juice and fresh mint) and seizing the opportunity to be “caught by the rhythm”, through learning a few Salsa and Cha Cha steps from the brilliant female lead singer of a Cuban band. Yes, even the Presbyterians in our midst couldn’t fail to have a good time!

Neil Squires

From Cuba with Love 4

Well today has been even hotter if that´s possible! We started the day with a visit to the first Presbyterian church of Havana. We looked round the church which is the oldest one in Havana and met with the pastor Hector Martinez. It was fascinating to hear about all the amazing work that the church is doing in the local community and the passion Hector has for his work. They have among other things a library that lends books and videos to people in the community, a tai-che class and not one, but three baseball teams of young people.

Hector started talking about how the service was interrupted last week because two of their teams had won trophies in the league and the young people wanted to show them to everyone. He was so proud of them and their acheivements. He was telling us how it´s no good if he sits in his office with air conditioning to run the church- he needs to be with the people and listen to the people. In Cuba people, especially the young people, love baseball, so that´s where he is! He really was an inspiration to us all and so dedicated to the people around him.

We wandered round some of the local streets being impressed and amazed by the architecture and I even joined in a local baseball game when a ball came flying over a playground wall just in front of me!

We then spent lots of the day exploring some of the more touristy aspects of Havana, with a visit to the statue of John Lennon in a park, the Hemmingway Marina and walking along the - Malacon - sea front back to Old Havana. It´s really interesting to see both dilapidated buildings along the sea wall and so many being done up and restored to their former beauty. It was so hot walking along in the sun and it took a lot of restraint not to join the people who were jumping into the sea from the rocks below the sea wall- it looked so cool and appealing! I can´t wait for our trip to the beaches!

The afternoon was topped off with an ice cream in a beautiful shady park. it is a hard life!

We had a lazy late afternoon resting at the church we're staying at. Us girlies spent the time listening to each others stories- it's such a priveledge to be here with such a great group of people and spend time getting to know each other better.

We're all now in our glad rags and are heading out to the national Hotel for a drink before going to a cabaret evening that Lucy´s (one of the Cuban Associate´s) friend is in. It promises to be a late night, but another fun filled one.

Jo Marshall

Sunday 30th March

Luyano Presbyterian Church: Havana
People began gathering for Christian Education between 9 – 9.15, the youngest for Sunday School; the youth and adults to unravel the post-resurrection question. “Are their stones that need rolled away from our lives to allow an encounter with the Christ who waits for us in life?”

Carolyn and I spent time with the youngest all eager learners from a teacher whom they kissed “good morning” and obviously loved. They all wrote down their names and ages and fussed over us. It was great!

After “school” we got cold drink and snacks in the courtyard of the church, getting to know people and marveling at the dexterity of a young pupil on his violin. All ages mixed happily. So that when we returned to the sanctuary for worship we were already “together”.

Worship was a celebration of music, song, participation, responsive prayers and thoughtful sermon. – Thomas the pessimist wrestled through his doubts to give us the most complete and succinct statement of faith – “My Lord and my God”. After worship we all joined hands in a very big circle to sing a kind of Christian – Old Lang Syne. Then Carolyn presented Frankie, our incredible courier (whose father was a compatriot of Castro) and Lucy (one of our new Cuban Associates) with gifts from the group.

Return to Cardenas
Following lunch we headed from Havana back to Cardenas with the new courier Raquel, one of the church members from Luyano who wanted to know more about the Community as well as sharing her own perceptions on post – Castro Cuba – Raul is inviting comments, even honest criticism, but people are still fearful of repercussions.

Fuerte Presbyterian Church: Cardenas
Fred went to evening worship in Fuerte Presbyterian Church behind the Ecumenical Centre. It began at 8pm with a good natured welcome from the young pastor followed by lively traditional hymns; a flowing sermon from a first year divinity student (15 minutes of expressive eye contact), and many intercessions which concluded with everyone singing “Nada Deturbe”.

All the way through the service members of the congregation eased Fred through the liturgy so that when everyone (again) formed the closing circle he felt he already knew many of them.

At 9 pm the worshipers went into the courtyard and sat for fellowship, testimonies and mutual encouragement. (One of the Elders is a member of the Communist Party in Cuba, but it probably wasn’t him who took out his mouth organ and led us in “How Great Thou Art”! Fred then gave everyone his greetings of the Community before borrowing the “mouthie”for Amazing Grace, which they knew and sang.

Then it was snacks all round in the balmy evening air before a remarkable day ended in which Cuban faith, resilience and love were never in short supply.

Fred Booth

Tuesday 1st April

After breakfast, which was served at 7.00am, we set off in the mini bus to Santa Clara. The journey took three hours with a stop at the motorway services – Cuban style.

When we arrived at Che’ Guevara’s mausoleum, we were met by Edelberto, the first Cuban to become an Associate. He accompanied us around the site entering in the museum and the mausoleum.

Che as he is known to the Cubans was born in Argentina in 1928. He met Fidel Castro in Mexico and was invited to join him in the revolution to use his training as a doctor. Che became an integral part of the revolution in Cuba helping to overthrow Batista.

Edelberto accompanied us to the Santa Clara Presbyterian Reformed Church who had prepared lunch for us. While we ate lunch, a few people were able to have a discussion with Edelberto. We explored what it means to be an Associate in Latin America and how difficult communication can be. Having more information on the Iona Community was also an issue and we discussed how the Latin American Associates can feel more part of the Community

After lunch we were shown round the church complex and then presented Edelberto with some gifts of a clock, books, medicines and jotters. We also gave some medicines to the pastor of the church.

On our return journey we drove through several heavy showers of rain. By the time we arrived back in Cardenas the rain had stopped but the mosquitoes appeared in droves.

Before dinner we met together to share the discussion with Edelberto and also talked about other matters including what we still wanted to find out about before the trip ended.

After dinner Raquel, our interpreter for this week, told us a bit of her life story and we discussed issues which came out of this.

The day was rounded of by going to the pub, where you don’t necessarily buy the beer you want, but what they have in stock.

Isabel Sarle

From Cuba With Love 5: Wednesday - Day 9

Our minibus came to an unexpected halt in a dead-end street, opposite a house which turned out to be a GP's surgery - one for every 159 people! Although permission was sought and granted for us to go in, I was more than a tad embarrassed to gaze into a waiting room full of people..... until they smiled and enthusaistically beckoned us in! It was pretty basic; a room each for the doctor and nurse, and not much equipment. Yet we know this local provision is a mainstay in sustaining good levels of public health.

Half an hour later - deep turquoise sea, sparkling yellow sands, hot sunshine and a welcome breeze - it could almost be Iona! Royal palms and certain Cuban "je ne sais quoi" proved it otherwise. Today we were in varadero - one of Cuba's key tourist destinations - a long spit with seemingly endless hotel development. This is a place where capitalism meets socialism, where the widening gap in salaries is felt most acutely. It is not a good feeling - for me, at any rate.

But before the beach - the local Presbyterian church, built in the mid 1990s, full of symbolism in architecture, materials and colour. The additional bedrooms are used by local and international church groups and can even be rented by visitors!

The nearby church-run centre welcomes priority groups of children and elderly people - a free service - for half the year. the other months are for church groups who pay. Our visit coincided with a church group who were taking the day to tackly agriculture issues.

Due to a misunderstanding, our visit was unexpected, yet they didn't flinch at making us a late lunch: rice and beans, pork chops, squash (both kinds!) tomatoes, and chocolate sponge cake. Oh and fried eggs for the veggies! I always put on weight in Cuba!

Pancho, our driver, told us his story after lunch. Once again, - a life that spans either side of the Triumph of Revolution (he remembers drinking coca-coca as a boy). It's great to hear these personal stories - really grounds our experience. As soon as we returned "home" to Cardenas, four of us met with the founder of the CCRD where we're based. He's very interested in the Iona community and hopes - as we do - that we will keep in touch.

Tonight - our 2nd dancing lesson. For those of us whos bodies move in distinctly Scottish ways rather than Cuban - a sense of humour helps a lot! Lots of the dances, like Mambo, Chachacha are surprisingly recent inventions (salsa even more so) - not much more than 50 years in some cases; and here I was thinking they're embedded in "ancient Cuban culture". It was an exhausting and exhilarating hour. Now I'm ready for a Buchanero in the local drinking house. Buenos noches!

Carolyn Smyth

From Cuba With Love 6: Day 10

We started off the day by traveling to the Humberto Alvarez Sugar mill just outside of Cardenas. We met with out guide who took us out to the field and explained about the history of the harvests of the canes. He showed us how the men would cut the cane down before the machines were brought in to help them. We even got a free sample! Then it was off to the mill where the canes would have been taken. I must admit that I was a little distracted by the old trains that were still there in perfect condition.

The trains were brought to Cuba to make it possible for more canes to be transported to the mills as at this time Cuba was the largest sugar supplier in the world due to the demands of America. Once our tour was over we were given a refreshing drink of Guarapo (made by putting the sugarcanes into a pressure machine and squeezing the juice out) as we were entertained by a 3 piece Cuban band - we even put our new dancing skills to the test!!!!

After lunch it was hard work for us as we lay on Varadero beach soaking up the sun and swimming in the ocean as we saved our energy for our evening’s entertainment.

Our fantastic dance teachers and their colleagues gave us our own private viewing of their African Dance show in the centre. It was fantastic and I was exhausted just watching them. However, the highlight of the show had to be when Maggie, Jo, Fred and I were dragged up to take part in the drumming. Fred surprised us all with his drumming talents - maybe he could teach the rest of us a thing or two.

Pam Breen

From Cuba With Love 7: Friday - Day 11

Early breakfast at 7am in readiness for departure at 8am to the Bay of Pigs. A two hour journey which takes us through towns such as Isabel - requiring a stop for Isabel to take a photograph - and Australia - no we didn't take the wrong turn!

We stopped off at the museum when we reached our destination - a RAF plane had pride of place with a tank outside the building - the plane apparently used by the Revolution to scupper the Mercanaries boats.

The incident took place in 1961 and resulted in a total humiliation for the United States who had trained and supported the mercanaries from amongst the Cuban community in Florida. The mercanaries were stranded on Cuba when their boats were scuppered and President Kennedy refused to get further involved by sending forces to assist them.

But the fiasco still had its cost in the loss of about 150 lives on both sides. We have heard so much from so many different sources - museums, buildings, songs/dance/art,books,churches, individuals, about the history of the last 70 years in this wonderful country with the role of the Christian church intertwined throughout- there is so much to sift through in the heart and the mind!

After the museum, lunch during which we had the attendance around our tables of dog, hen and chicks, the latter unusual companions for lunch!

Then to the water sports! some snorkeled in a deep pool in some woods and then joined the swimmers in the sea - green-blue and a manageable temperature! More of the beauty of the country with sea, sunshine, palm trees etc etc.

Other interesting features on the trip - on the way to the Bay of Pigs hundreds of crabs faced death in crossing the road from the sea to the wooded land on the other side; apparently they live on the land but have to return to the sea to mate. Another interesting sight was to see single egrets standing by a horse or cow waiting to feed off flys and grubs etc. Egrets are very common in Cuba, whilst I have only seen a handful in Britain.

After dinner at the centre, we had a session of singing led by Neil (Squires) - great fun - and then quenched our thirst at the local drinking place. The end of another wonderful and varied day.

Katherine Rennie

Sat 5th April 2008

Today, after breakfast, we had a relaxing morning in the centre, reading books and packing, as we’ll be heading for Havana tomorrow and then home – can hardly believe our trip is almost over! We shared a special pre-birthday office with Carolyn and then headed for the Organic farm run by the Centre, for a 50th Birthday celebration – ‘Cuba-style’, which staff had kindly organised. We were joined by Lucy Zuazo, one of the Cuban Associates, other Cuban friends of Carolyn’s, as well as her husband, Patrick, his brother and wife – who were all joining Carolyn for a week’s holiday after our trip. They all arrived just in time for the cake to be cut!

We had a fantastic ‘fiesta’, with a three piece music group (who Neil joined with his fiddle), a delicious meal and of course lots and lots of dancing – which all took place under the welcome shade of a pagoda. The food was amazing! When we arrived the table was spread with delicious exotic fruit – mango, pineapple, banana’s, guava – and the farm had their own press for making ‘Guarapo’ (freshly squeezed sugar cane). The centrepiece of the meal (vegetarians excepted!) was a whole roasted pig which was proudly displayed for all to see, prior to being served. First the crackling was taken off and put on a plate for guests to chew on, then the meat was cut up into portions and served with rice and beans, salad and boiled yucca (which tasted like a kind of sticky potato). For dessert we had stewed apricots in syrup, followed by birthday cake and coffee.

We then attempted to dance again!!! Not only did we show off our newly learned Mambo and Cha Cha Cha steps but we also taught some Scottish dances. One of the guests was Rene Castellana, a ninety-four year old lay Presbyterian, who lives between the Theological Seminary in Matanzas and Cardenas. Originally a Psychologist, he is a legend within the Presbyterian Church in Cuba and is much loved and respected for the contribution he has made over the years, particularly in a pastoral role. He is also an amazing dancer and has a phenomenal knowledge of dances from all over the world. He put us all to shame with his energy and vitality and also told a lovely story…He said, “When I die, I’ll teach the angels to dance! And I’ll know how to teach them to use their feet; I’ll know how to teach them to use their shoulders; I’ll know how to teach them to use their hips; but I won’t know how to teach them to use their wings!”

Needless to say, a great time was had by all! We chatted into the late afternoon with the various guests, then returned to the centre, would you believe, for dinner!

For our last night in Cardenas, the Centre staff kindly put on a concert, which included traditional dancing, poetry readings and video clips of famous Cuban artists – including ballet dancers and singers. The highlight was a professionally trained classical tenor, who sang a range of moving Cuban and classical songs. We were all presented with gifts and Fred did a vote of thanks and accompanied Neil singing, ‘The Deil’s Awa wi’ the Exciseman’ on his Moothie! We then sang ‘Auld Lang Syne’ in Scottish and Spanish (!) and finished with a Conga round the hall!

Not quite ‘partied out’, we managed one last beer in the local bar – just so we could toast a fond farewell to Cardenas, of course!

Neil Squires

Good Friday on Iona

2008-03-27T11:27:48Z

The start of the walk at Martyr's Bay.

Jesus carries his cross

Jesus meets his mother.

John Bell leading the singing.

'The Fallen Christ' on Iona

2008-03-25T15:52:08Z

On Saturday 23rd February, in the midst of a gale and driving rain, the eight ton sculpture was hoisted into place outside the Macleod Centre. Previously this stunning depiction of Christ had been in Holyrood Park, and before that outside Salisbury Cathedral. Now it has a permanent home on Iona.

There is only one truck in the country large enough to cope with the weight of the sculpture, yet at the same time be compact enough to negotiate the bend around the Nunnery.

The sculpture depcits the fallen Christ, seemingly crushed by the weight of expectation, the projection of so many in their desire for a particular kind of Messiah. Or is it in some way the weight of the world, the hopes of so many?

Along with the sculptor Ronald Rae, the moving spirit behind bringing the piece to Iona was Jim Hughes, a member of the Iona Community. Jim had been seriously ill for some time, but on Sunday 24th February he arrived on the island by helicopter, to view the statue, and to make what proved to be a final visit to the Abbey. Sadly Jim died on the 12th March.

Ronald Rae and Jim Hughes

Jim and Margaret Hughes

A Glasgow Pilgrimage

2008-03-18T14:01:44Z

A very happy looking Resident Group take a break from the Glasgow Pilgrimage, somewhere underneath the arches in the city! Starting in Govan we moved around various important sites, both to the Community and in the history of Glasgow, before finishing in Gorbals with Ian Galloway. It was a great day, and we were very fortunate to have Alison and Robert lead us. Below is a picture of them at Govan Cross. Alison clearly has a future as a street evangelist!