Two interesting events since last I wrote--a pilgrimage around the island (about a six hour walk covering 7 miles, with much boggy peat to which I lost my shoe once!) and in the evening a service of prayers for healing.
The pilgrimage around the island is structured to help you think about the reasons that brought you to Iona. For me, it was mostly a quiet walk, trying to understand what it is about this place that has, for years, provided inspiration to folk who are as committed to community and social justice as any I've ever met. I've been reading the story of the beginnings of the community, and George MacLeod, who really was the energizing force. For those of you who don't know the story, it was his vision to bring a group of unemployed laborers and a group of seminarians, hoping that in their interactions as they worked together on rebuilding the common areas in this ancient site, the pastors would gain a better understanding of the challenges of social ministry.
At the core of what Iona does is a deep commitment to building community, but it's sort of interesting that the way to build community is to take people OUT of the ones they're in. The roots of the monastic orders seem to lie not far below the surface--a close community of brothers, who had to forsake their secular lives in order to be a part, but then carried their work back into the world.
What does this have to say about the challenges of building a church community in the 21st century? I think the core of it for me is the notion of commitment. We try so hard to make church membership as easy as possible, but in the end, I wonder if we do both ourselves and our new members a favor? How do you craft the sort of commitment I see among those who work at the Abbey-leaving their lives for 1-3 years, in order to invest in this vision? Community demands commitment, and we seem to live in a world in which my commitment to just about anything is defined in terms of what it can give me today.
The healing service--again, an amazing experience of worship, which was forged on the assumption that these were people who were deeply committed to each other, and to the work they shared. They are VERY clear that it is not a 'healing service' but a 'service of prayer for healing'. They do it, they say, because people around the world have asked for their prayers. The core of the service is a time in which those who desire some sort of healing--body, mind or soul-kneel in a circle, while three members of the community stand inside, and anyone who wished stands outside, and lays on hands. It ends up looking like our ordination service, but open to any and all.
I wonder if its something that would help us to enact our own sense of community at MPC--an a natural extention of the Deacon's and Prayer Chain ministries. Would members of the church be sufficiently committed to COME to such a service once a week--once a month?
The moral of the story for today: community is hard work, and requires REAL commitment. And if you step in the wrong spot in a boggy hollow, be ready to dig out your boot!
Thanks to those who've added their comments....how about you?
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2 comments:
I am enjoying you on-going comments and descriptions. Keep up the good work.
Ken A
It's Sunday, July 10. We're home from our journey. You were in my thoughts many times in both France and Israel. Fred's play was performed by the Theatre Club de Notre Dame, which is a high school from the 12th Century in Cahors. I want to report that even 50 years ago the school was staffed by Catholic Priests and Nuns. When they were unable to fill new positions, former students of the school were called to teach/administrate. More recently, that was not possible either and "outsiders" have been employed to fill positions. There are about 1000 students to 100 teachers. I also learned that the Roman Catholic Church in France has lost many members to large non-denominational churches. There's more but enough about France except I learned about the pilgrimage en Santiago De Compostela. One of the routes is through Cahors. I would like to do it but another time. Only one thing to report here re. Israel. Only Jews or those seeking Israel for religious reasons of Judaism are allowed to immigrate. That is, professed Christians are not allowed permanent residence. Additionally, no Christian Churches may be erected. This may be better established as truth with more research but was told me by good sources. It's interesting to think our government supports Israel, a Jewish State, sometimes at the expense of the Palestinians who include our fellow Christians as well as Muslims. It appears that Israel might discrimimate against us as Christians though not us as American citizens or tourists. Maybe that's too harsh. Off to church. Best regards to you, Denise, Gabi and Lisa. Would you be interested in supper or are you just staying in? We'd love to see you. Judy
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