The Iona Community News

'I'VE SEEN WORSE': A BIOGRAPHY OF IAN FRASER, as shared with Ian Cranston AVAILABLE NOW. For details on how to order, and to read an extract from Ron Ferguson's preface, see here

2012-02-03T14:47:05Z

'I'VE SEEN WORSE': A BIOGRAPHY OF IAN M. FRASER,
as shared with Ian Cranston, 2012

From the Preface, by Ron Ferguson:

Ian Fraser was one of the most significant Scottish churchmen of the 20th century. Yet to describe him as a 'churchman' is to put him into a too-narrow category, considering the range of his activity and interests. Not only that, to place him simply in a 20th century frame is also too restrictive, given his influence, through action and writing, in the early part of the 21st century. As I write this preface in June 2011, he is still very much alive and kicking against injustice, at the age of 93.

Ian Fraser is a hero of mine. I first came across him when I was a young journalist in Edinburgh in the early 1960s. I was surprised to receive a letter from him inviting me to take part in a symposium about the ethics of journalism at a place called Scottish Churches House in Dunblane. I remember being impressed by the letter. Here was a minister of the Kirk recognising the dilemmas and possibilities of the world of journalism, and seeking to facilitate a discussion amongst people working at the journalistic ‘coal face’.

Over the years, I got to know Ian much better. He became a good friend and wise counsellor to me when I was a minister in Easterhouse, and later when I became leader of the Iona Community. Right from the early days when he was a kind of worker priest is the Tullis Russell paper mill in Fife, he was a pioneering spirit. In his parish ministry in Rosyth, his ground-breaking wardenship of Scottish Churches House, and his imaginative work with the World Council of Churches and Selly Oak Colleges, Ian’s gritty realism, grounded theology and committed faith made him an inspirational figure. And all, of course, in collaboration with his dear wife Margaret, the love of his life.

I was delighted when I heard that Ian Cranston was going to write a biography of Dr Fraser. It is so good that the life of this pioneer, pastor and poet is now on the record. Ian Cranston's well-researched book deserves to be read widely.

To order 'I've Seen Worse':

iancranston@talktalk.net

An interview with John Bell, from Read the Spirit

2012-01-31T15:10:41Z

An interview with John L. Bell, from Read the Spirit

'Lord of the Excluded', by Pat Bennett

2012-01-30T09:26:49Z

LORD OF THE EXCLUDED

Lord of the excluded,
open my ears to those I would prefer not to hear;
open my life to those I would prefer not to know;
open my heart to those I would prefer not to love;
and so open my eyes to see
where I exclude You.

Pat Bennett

From 'Around a Thin Place: An Iona Pilgrimage Guide', Jane Bentley and Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications

Around a Thin Place

EASTER WITNESS FOR PEACE AT THE GATES OF FASLANE, 31st March, 2012

2012-01-29T13:02:23Z

EASTER WITNESS FOR PEACE

From SCANA (Scottish Clergy Against Nuclear Arms)

SCANA are organising an Easter Witness for Peace at the gates of the Faslane nuclear-weapon base at 12 noon on Saturday 31 March 2012. Participants will include Very Rev Alan McDonald (on behalf of the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland), Bruce Kent (Vice President of CND), Kathy Galloway (Head of Christian Aid Scotland), Rev Peter Macdonald (Leader of the Iona Community) and Rev David Mumford (Dean of Brechin Cathedral, Scottish Episcopal Church) and a senior representative of the Scottish Catholic Church. Music will be led by members of the Wild Goose Resource Group. This follows the successful event that was held in 2011. Once again the witness for peace will be held on the day before Palm Sunday. Please encourage people to take part …

For more information

Latest Iona Community e-bulletin

2012-01-24T09:19:29Z

IONA COMMUNITY E-BULLETIN

To read the first e-bulletin of the year, click here

San Ghan'ny (We Shall Sing): An evening of music for Palestine, in Arabic, English, Scots and Gaelic, Saturday, Feb 4th, Edinburgh. Music from Margaret Bennett, Karine Polwart, Lisa Rigby, Penny Stone more info here

2012-01-17T14:02:28Z

SAN GHAN'NY (WE SHALL SING): AN EVENING OF MUSIC FOR PALESTINE

For more information

'It's time to close the gap between rich and poor': Church Action on Poverty Poverty Action Sunday 5th Feb

2012-01-06T12:33:43Z

POVERTY ACTION SUNDAY

From Church Action on Poverty:

In 2012, Poverty Action Sunday falls on 5 February. We want you to run a service in your church, encouraging the congregation to reflect on the barriers created by the gap between rich and poor.We have free resoucres available to help you plan your service.

For more information

Church Action on Poverty

Poverty and Homelessness Action Week 28th Jan 5th Feb: Prayer calendar and resources here

2012-01-06T12:28:07Z

POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS ACTION WEEK

http://www.actionweek.org.uk/html/home.html

Iona Community Response to same sex marriage proposals

2011-12-20T09:33:24Z

Letter to Scottish First Minister regarding same sex marriage proposals

Letter in support of the Equality Network

Iona Community Response to same sex marriage proposals

2011-12-20T09:33:24Z

Letter to Scottish First Minister regarding same sex marriage proposals

Letter in support of the Equality Network

The eagerly awaited book: 'OUTSIDE THE SAFE PLACE: AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE EARLY YEARS OF THE IONA COMMUNITY', by Anne Muir available from Wild Goose Publications. More info here

2011-12-02T15:28:15Z

OUTSIDE THE SAFE PLACE: AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE EARLY YEARS OF THE IONA COMMUNITY,

by Anne Muir, Wild Goose Publications

The country is bankrupt, the gap between rich and poor is widening, the church has retreated from the inner cities, and even in the more affluent suburbs, many young people see the church as irrelevant – out of touch.

No, it’s not 2012. It’s 1938. And a man called George MacLeod, and a group of like-minded friends and colleagues, have a vision of how to put the church with its message of ‘good news to the poor’ right back at the centre of life. To make it speak again to ordinary people.

If the rest of the church had followed their example, maybe 2012 would have looked very different.

This is their story.

Please God it’s not too late to listen.

For more information and to order:

'Choice Cuts' faith & futures in a world in crisis: HOLY CITY 2011-12 more details and the dates here

2011-11-02T11:35:53Z

HOLY CITY 2011-12

Details and dates:

web.me.com/gmaule/HOLY_CITY/Home.html

The Iona Community News

'I'VE SEEN WORSE': A BIOGRAPHY OF IAN FRASER, as shared with Ian Cranston  AVAILABLE NOW. For details on how to order, and to read an extract from Ron Ferguson's preface, see here

An interview with John Bell, from Read the Spirit

'Lord of the Excluded', by Pat Bennett

EASTER WITNESS FOR PEACE AT THE GATES OF FASLANE, 31st March, 2012

Latest Iona Community e-bulletin

San Ghan'ny (We Shall Sing): An evening of music for Palestine, in Arabic, English, Scots and Gaelic, Saturday, Feb 4th, Edinburgh. Music from Margaret Bennett, Karine Polwart, Lisa Rigby, Penny Stone  more info here

'It's time to close the gap between rich and poor': Church Action on Poverty  Poverty Action Sunday  5th Feb

Poverty and Homelessness Action Week  28th Jan  5th Feb: Prayer calendar and resources here

Iona Community Response to same sex marriage proposals

Iona Community Response to same sex marriage proposals

The eagerly awaited book: 'OUTSIDE THE SAFE PLACE: AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE EARLY YEARS OF THE IONA COMMUNITY', by Anne Muir  available from Wild Goose Publications. More info here

'Choice Cuts' faith & futures in a world in crisis: HOLY CITY 2011-12  more details and the dates here

'I'VE SEEN WORSE': A BIOGRAPHY OF IAN FRASER, as shared with Ian Cranston AVAILABLE NOW. For details on how to order, and to read an extract from Ron Ferguson's preface, see here

San Ghan'ny (We Shall Sing): An evening of music for Palestine, in Arabic, English, Scots and Gaelic, Saturday, Feb 4th, Edinburgh. Music from Margaret Bennett, Karine Polwart, Lisa Rigby, Penny Stone more info here

'It's time to close the gap between rich and poor': Church Action on Poverty Poverty Action Sunday 5th Feb

Poverty and Homelessness Action Week 28th Jan 5th Feb: Prayer calendar and resources here

The eagerly awaited book: 'OUTSIDE THE SAFE PLACE: AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE EARLY YEARS OF THE IONA COMMUNITY', by Anne Muir available from Wild Goose Publications. More info here

'Choice Cuts' faith & futures in a world in crisis: HOLY CITY 2011-12 more details and the dates here