In September 2017 twelve members of churches from the Whitstable Team ministry, a member of a church in Dover, and two other people from outside Kent, one from Hertfordshire and the other all the way from Australia, embarked on an eight day pilgrimage to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and then the Island of Iona.
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| St Aidan - statue on Lindisfarne |
Please note that audio recordings of David Cole's talks can be found on the desktop version of this website if you scroll up to the top of the page and then click on the right hand links.
Beaches of Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island
We hope you find this website interesting, whether you were one of the pilgrims who came on the group, or if you are simply someone interested in finding out more about Holy Island or Iona or Celtic Christianity in general.
With every good wish
Rev Simon Tillotson
Holy Island
Lizzie writes....
What I noticed though was that the principles I had learned on the pilgrimage and started to put into practise there, still held, so that I was able to retain inner calm, peace and trust through the above.
I feel I was changed by the pilgrimage experience and I definitely want the changes to remain. I seem to "see" so much more of God in nature and have managed to get an early morning walk with my Celtic prayer book most days.
The time away was one of blessing, I learned and received much and feel that the benefits will continue to slowly unravel in the weeks and months ahead.
Thank you Simon for your idea and all the planning that brought it to fruition.
Lindisfarne Priory ruins
Denise writes...
I set off for pilgrimage after a tough summer of working , I felt spiritually drained .
The journey to Holy Island went smoothly and as we made our way across the causeway I could feel myself relax . I had never been to Holy Island or Iona before but had heard about them . The islands were both very different but equally stunning . We were surrounded by such peace and serenity on both . The highlights for me were hearing the singing of the seals at night on lindisfarne ( although Simon thought it was the wind !!). Walking where the saints had trod . Standing on the site of the unearthed chapel . Watching dawn arrive over the Island and the peace when the day trippers had left and we were cut off from the tide . All of this was then put into historical and spiritual context by David Cole , I was gripped by his talks .
We then moved to Iona and my highlights there were experiencing the beauty of the Island and God was evident in creation. This was more relaxed and gave us the space to connect with God and hear his voice without the noise of constant traffic . There was no mobile phone signal and the internet was slow , this helped me detach for a while and connect with the important things in life and God without distraction . This was then topped off by the experience of worship with the Iona community and every day was different . Precious experiences but above all else is the friends we have made along the way and the encouragement we gave each other and received . Money cannot buy that and I feel so blessed .
Iona Abbey
Sarah writes....
The Pilgrimage was a significant journey for me on many spiritual and personal levels. It has changed me - or should I say, I was changed through it. I have experienced God's peace and healing and found true fellowship in Christ through the love of my fellow pilgrims.
I have found that by changing my perspective, opening my heart and allowing God to guide me I can feel at one with him through Jesus and be immersed in shear joy and love. The beauty, peace and space of those two very special islands and being away from daily noise and demands, has helped me to find that. And I am very grateful.
I have been inspired by stories of the Celtic Saints and being in the places that mattered to them. And by the honest beliefs and passions of those around me. And the importance of action as well as prayer. St Aidan reached out by listening to others first. I think I need to reach out more. The world needs peace and bridge builders. We can learn a lot from him and from the Celtic Christian approach to seeing and blessing the good in nature and in each other
Boat crossing from Mull to Iona
What an awesome Pilgrimage that was. So many blessings. The way we bonded over the week, prayed together, worshipped together and grew spiritually was amazing.
It gave me the space to reflect on things and what I need to be doing. And to be able to do that in such idyllic scenery was an added bonus. The peace helped to remind me that God is very close to all of us and given us the tools to find that peace.
Thank you for helping me to recharge my spiritual batteries. All of you remain much in my prayers.
PILGRIMAGE REFLECTIONS FROM AFAR
Lynette wrote to us in advance of our meeting on 12th November to look back on the pilgrimage
Although I can’t be with you in person today, I still
feel very connected to the wonderful group of people from All Saints (and
elsewhere) with whom I was privileged to share the pilgrimage to Holy Island
and Iona. From my first email enquiry to Simon back in October 2016 and my
subsequent decision to register for the pilgrimage, I felt supported and
encouraged to make the trip. Coming from Australia, it felt like a pilgrimage
in various stages to get to Holy Island where I met the group for the first
time in person on Sunday 17th September. I was instantly made to
feel welcome.
The pilgrimage experience on both islands remains deep
in my spirit and there are many aspects for which I am grateful. In this short
reflection, I will mention only a few.
As I walked the paths on both islands, I was conscious
of the call to Walk – Watch – Wait. During
David Cole’s teaching on Holy Island, he mentioned how St. Columba walked Iona
and St. Aidan walked Holy Island for 40 days in prayer, waiting before they did
anything. In my walks, my attention was drawn to being present in the moment of
time, and this enabled me to see meaning beyond my visual sight. Walking
through an open gate at the nunnery ruins on Iona, or an open door at St.
Mary’s Church on Holy Island, I pondered the question, ‘What am I being invited
into?’ Picking up a feather on Cuthbert’s Island, where St. Cuthbert went for
solitude, reminded me of Hildegard of Bingen’s prayer to be ‘a feather on the
breath of God’.
The rhythm of morning and evening prayer, sharing in
Communion, meal times, quiet conversations, teaching sessions, time alone in
silence, and soaking in the atmosphere and deep spiritual heritage of both
places, all contributed to a very meaningful experience. Simon asked me whether
it was worth coming all the way from Australia.
A very convincing Yes! I held a dream for a long time of visiting either
island in my lifetime, and to be able to go to both places was a double
blessing. I felt I was being invited into a faith experience that was renewing
and strengthening.
A pilgrimage can’t be captured solely in photos,
although my photos are a visual reminder of the whole experience. A pilgrimage
is both an outward and an inner journey. The outward journey might have
finished, but the inner journey continues. When I left the pilgrimage group in
London, I flew to Bangkok, to the Klong Toey slum where I stayed with a mission
group for whom I have provided pastoral care over a long period of time. The
slum was such a contrast to the islands and their mystical beauty. However, I
was reminded that peace is not dependent on place. The peace that Jesus gives
is an inner peace that helps us face the challenges of life, wherever we are.
Thank you to Simon and to the pilgrims for blessing me
with your company and friendship, your prayers and love, as we experienced
together the presence of God on Holy Island and Iona, as the early monks did
and generations which followed.
Lynette Leach
Melbourne, Australia
The grave of the late Rt Hon John Smith, former leader of the Labour Party
Terry wrote this reflection....
TWO THIN PLACES
Over many years I have developed an interest in what is frequently referred to as “Celtic Spirituality”. Having been born and brought up in my early days in Northern Ireland, with an Irish mother and a Welsh father, may have something to do with that! It has been my desire for some time to visit Iona and therefore Simon’s pilgrimage, taking in both Lindisfarne and Iona, was an opportunity not to be missed. So, what spiritual ‘hooks’ to enrich my continuing journey have I brought home?
I warm especially to the ancient Celtic perception of ‘place’ a concept much more than a geographical location or a physical landmark. It is also a ‘space’ that somehow, mysteriously and metaphysically, carries a spiritual ‘imprint’ of the full range of human endeavour, relationships, aspirations, joys and tragedies. Of course, what are usually defined as Christian ‘Holy Places’ are so designated for that very reason. If this sounds a bit like pantheism it isn’t! (in one of the sessions we briefly touched upon the difference between pantheism and panentheism but this is certainly not the place to elaborate!) It is interesting that both Lindisfarne and Iona have often been referred to as ‘thin places’, meaning that the divide between the human and the Divine is more like a thin membrane than a thick wall. I am sure that for Jesus the contrasting environments of Galilee and Jerusalem were both ‘thin places’, thinner sometimes than other times. It is true that a significant part of all this depends upon what we bring with us to such places, and how open our hearts and minds are, but it really is the place, its history and its meaning, that acts as a catalyst and enables us to experience something new and different.
Wood carving on Holy Island
And it was a huge grace for me to experience the thin places of Lindisfarne and Iona for myself. In particular, although I was aware of the facts surrounding the extraordinary missionary and teaching exploits emanating from both Iona and Lindisfarne, to actually reflect upon this in the very landscape that seeded it and nurtured it, was deeply inspiring. One cannot separate discipleship, community and mission from the risks that define the steps of faith. I now understand Kierkegaard’s idea of the ‘leap into faith’ more fully. Perhaps in our churches we need to re-evaluate the linkage between risk , faith and action? Perhaps a new radicalism is needed?
On both islands I found it relatively easy to imagine the early monks, nuns and local Christians drawing upon the environment and daily living as an all-embracing spiritual resource. There was a quietness and peacefulness , more so I felt on Iona than Lindisfarne, conducive to just ‘being there’ and feeling the touch of the divine. This was in contrast to the busyness of actually journeying from Whitstable. I was reminded of the ancient pilgrims who, for safety and companionship, set out in groups, knowing the destination of Canterbury, but not too sure of the actual journey. Now, it has to be said that we did not have to worry too much about wild bears, wild boars, bandits and rough terrain but we did need to make a surprising number of train rides, bus rides, and boat sailings, with vigilant attention to timetables and tides. We also got to know one another quite well, even those who were complete strangers to us at the outset. Like ancient pilgrims we told our stories and shared our aspirations, concerns and spiritual experiences. I came away with a deep sense that the journey is every bit as formative, as the arrival at the destination. Just like life really! Perhaps we too often take for granted the richness of journeying together as we walk life’s path alongside one another and in the presence of Christ?
Finally, my wife Anne shared with me a pertinent reflection. We both wished to see John Smith’s grave on Iona. For those too young to know, and those too old to remember, John Smith was the leader of the Labour Party in the 1990s and has often been perceived as “the best Prime Minister we never had”. His sudden and completely unexpected death was a great shock to those with even the most modest interest in politics. Anne noticed that so many younger visitors glanced at the simple commemoration stone and moved on without any appreciation or desire to know who John Smith was (why should they?) Anne remarked that this was ultimately the destination of us all – in due course invisible to the collective memory, not lost, but safe in God’s eternal presence and love.
The beaches of Iona
Sammy wrote this poem and read it out while we were on Iona....
Road to Emmaus.
I met a man along the way,
He seemed to have a lot to say.
He asked who was this Jesus man
And asked us how it all began.
We stood stock still in disbelief.
I couldn't hide my still raw grief.
He was a prophet, friend, mighty in deed.
But the soldiers took him and made him bleed.
I'm not sure how to make sense of my loss,
My beautiful friend died on a cross.
He taught us to love and about good behaviour.
We loved him deeply, to us our Saviour.
Now three days later we are shocked by the news,
Someone has taken our "King of the Jews".
The tomb is empty, He's gone away,
Some friends of ours have witnessed today.
They met some Angels as they arrived
Who told them that Jesus was once more alive!
But the man we were with was very well read
And went through what the Scriptures said.
We talked of God and we talked of healing.
He seemed to know just what we were feeling.
As we arrived it was getting quite late,
So we offered the man to share from our plate.
But then what joy is this?! The Lord is not dead,
He's right there amongst us breaking the bread!
And then he vanished, disappeared out of sight,
But that didn't dampen our new found delight.
We couldn't sit still, we were just so excited!
Something amazing had just been ignited.
We ran all the way back to find the others. The Lord is alive! My sisters, my brothers.
The joy continues from that day to this.
To spread the word is just heavenly bliss.
So I promise you this, you will never get bored,
When every new day you get to walk with the Lord.
Iona village
Rev Simon wrote this reflection in the local newspaper when he got home about the quality of fellowship on the trip
CLICK ON NEWSPAPER ARTICLE TO INCREASE FONT SIZE
Iona Abbey
Above and below - beaches on Iona
Carving in wood of monks carrying Cuthbert's body, in Lindisfarne parish church on Holy Island
Font at Lindisfarne Parish church
Celtic cross on Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island
Beautiful scenery on Iona
Many thanks to Denise Blaskett, Howard Barker, and Terry and Anne Rees for the photos
