Slide 2 1,447 years ago in the year 563 a disciple of the church founded by St. Patrick in Ireland took a small boat with 12 friends and left to go north and bring Christianity to the Picts who inhabited the Scottish Isles and mainland. They landed on the tiny island of Iona. Slide 3 Their purpose was to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the people of Scotland- and they were successful Slide 4 Bee-hive cells Slide 5 they also became a centre for education- young men came from all over the newly converted kingdoms to also become missionary priests school of illumination- Book of Kells Slide 6 The community was violently destroyed not once, but twice- The first destruction of the community: repeated Viking attacks between 795 and 826 Slide 7 looking for treasure- in one of these raids more than 80 monks were massacred on the beach- they are forever remembered by those visiting the island- the place is called martyrs bay Slide 8 -the Norsemen settled and eventually converted to christianity as well- the Norse influence is evident in the art of the stone carving and influenced the celtic knotwork Slide 9 Iona continued to be a pilgrimmage site- another community was started in the early 1200's- a Benedictine monastry …and an Augustinian nunnery were built - and flourished for 3 1/2 centuries. Slide 11 St. Oran's was the burial place of Kings- 48 Scottish kings are said to be buried here (including both MacBeth and Duncan); 8 Norwegian and 4 Irish kings along with many lords of the isles Slide 12 the second destruction of the community occurred with the Scottish Reformation of 1560 Slide 13 Iona, along with all the abbeys and nunneries in Scotland were forced to close- the religious communities ceased to exist and the remaining buildings fells into ruins— Remains of the Bishop's palace and the nunnery Slide 14 Brought back to life... In 1874 the 8th Duke of Argyll began his dream of restoring the abbey to the point that it could once again be used for worship. His forward-looking condition was that the worship would not belong to any one denomination but would be a living ecumenical place of worship. It took many years but a partially restored nave of the abbey church was completed in 1910. Slide 15 In 1938 Rev. George MacLeod started the modern Iona Community with the purpose of restoring the rest of the buildings at the abbey. He wanted to provide employment for out of work craftsmen from Glasgow and he also saw the unique opportunity to help prepare young ministers in training. Slide 16 He felt that they could have no better training for the rigours of inner city ministry than to live and work alongside of the rugged stone masons and carpenters rebuilding the ancient walls. The monastic buildings were completed in 1965 Slide 17 The Iona Community had taken on a life of its own... and it continues to grow and change. It is a lively, creative Christian community that is truly global in nature Slide 18 The modern Iona Community is both 'dispersed' and embodied in the restored Abbey- along with 2 more centres- the MacLoed Centre located within easy walking distance to the abbey, and the Camas centre which is located accross the water from Iona on the Isle of Mull - it is primarily a gathering place for youth and young adults. Slide 19 Spending time at Iona is more than taking a course at an education centre- and it is more than going on retreat... it is entering into a global community whose life is one week long Slide 20 The life of this small and intense community is fostered by a balance of worship and work Slide 21 Along with learning and reflection. … with new friends from very different places. Slide 22 There is something about just being on the Isle of Iona- the Celts would talk about there being 'thin places' where there is not much that separates heaven and earth… Iona is a very 'thin place' Slide 23 Jesus gave a bent over woman new life, in much the same way that God called the people of Israel back to life after the exile. Slide 24 There is such hope when we open ourselves to this power of resurrection