Iona

The Hebridian Isle of Iona, once described as a ‘thin place’ where heaven and earth embrace, has been a place of Christian pilgrimage ever since Columba, an Irish monk, founded a monastery in the 6^th century. The ruined buildings were rebuilt in early 20^th century by craftsmen and trainee priests under leadership of Rev. George MacLeod. He founded the Iona Community, a dispersed Christian community administered from Glasgow, as it is still today.

Members, Associate Members and Friends make up the Community, committed to seeking new and relevant ways of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ in today’s world. The Abbey and the newer MacLeod Centre on Iona, as well as Camas on Mull are places of hospitality. Guests come from many countries and diverse backgrounds to spend a week building community in a divided world by sharing meals, household tasks, worship, personal stories and learning together.

Inspired by worship as experienced on early pilgrimages to Iona, worship which is both engaging and meaningful, ecumenical services in the Iona tradition have since been held monthly in Pershore Abbey.

Iona is not just a place to travel TO—more a place to journey FROM, bringing back home fresh ideas, a yearning for world peace grounded in justice and joy in worship.

Experiencing Iona as a guest of the Community can be both challenging and rewarding, but great fun and lasting friendships are to be formed. It can also be life changing….many are drawn back time and again to this remote, beautiful, and holy place.