Taste and See: The Food of the Sabbatical

A Sabbatical Food Journal 

Society of St. John the Evangelist- Emery House

The Emery House property consists of multiple buildings: a 15-room main house begun in 1720, six small hermitages, and two small 10×10 cabins in the forest used by retreatants in the summer. The property was given to the Society of St. John the Evangelist by the Emery family.

The Brothers living at Emery House are pleased to offer hospitality, meals, and occasional spiritual direction for those on individual and group retreats.

Guests are also invited to join in the Brothers’ daily worship (Morning Prayer, Holy Eucharist, Evening Prayer, and Compline), which follows The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Each physical meal was what one would call “hearty” or straight from the earth. Breakfast was cereal or granola, Lunch  delicious hot dishes and for dinner soup and salad with bread.

On my first night there we had a delightful soup of Carrot Soup. It was divine. The recipe is shared below.

Upon return I realized how much we eat that is packaged and not straight from the earth or even a recent kitchen. Simple meals often are swapped out for quick meals and I realized how much I missed eating a variety of vegetables much more than potatoes! Oh the beets and mushrooms and eggplant! Eat those veggies!

CREAMY THAI CARROT SOUP WITH BASIL

 Thai-inspired, 8 ingredient, 30-minute carrot soup that’s creamy, vegan + gluten free, perfectly sweet and spicy and so delicious.

Author: Minimalist Baker Recipe type: Soup, Entrée Cuisine: Vegan, Gluten-Free, Thai-Inspired Serves: 4

Ingredients

·       1 Tbsp (15 ml) coconut or olive oil

·       1/2 of 1 large yellow onion,

·       chopped 3 cloves garlic,

·       diced 1 pound carrots, scrubbed (or peeled) and chopped (~4 cups)

·       Healthy pinch each salt and pepper

·       2 cups (480 ml) veggie stock + 2 cups water (480 ml)

·       1/3 cup creamy or crunchy salted natural peanut butter (use less for a less intense PB flavor)

·       2 tsp chili garlic sauce (use less for less spice)

·       OPTIONAL TOPPINGS: Fresh basil, cilantro, or mint; coconut milk; brown sugar or agave nectar (sub honey if not vegan); Sriracha hot sauce (NOT LISTED: Coconut or Olive Oil for sautéing)

Instructions

1. Heat a large pot over medium heat.

2. Dice onion and garlic. Add to pot with 1 Tbsp coconut or olive oil (or nonstick spray). Add carrots and cook for 5 minutes.

3. Season with a healthy pinch each salt and pepper, then add veggie stock and 2 cups of water and stir.

4. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until veggies are tender (test by cutting a larger piece of carrot in half – it should cut with ease).

5. Transfer to a blender (or use an immersion blender) and blend until smooth and creamy. (Cover with a towel in case your lid leaks any soup while blending.)

6. Add peanut butter and chili garlic sauce to the blender and blend to combine, using a ‘puree’ or ‘liquify’ setting if you have it.

7. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. For a touch of added sweetness, add a Tbsp or so of brown sugar, maple syrup or agave nectar (or honey if not vegan). Add more chili garlic sauce for more heat. 

My Favorite Go- To Recipes

We all have comfort foods don’t we?

I love making a good brownie. Originally I only made cookies and thought good golly brownies- you make them and then have to wait for them to cool, then cool some more and then you can actually cut them…who has time for that? Those who are patient and plan ahead is who! My favorite recipe is a dark chocolate version of Martha Stewart’s fudgey brownie recipe, I originally found it in Everyday Food magazine and it has become my go-to for brownies! Enjoy

Triple Dark Chocolate Brownies (adapted from Martha Stewart)

·       1 stick of butter

·       ¾ cups of Chocolate Chips (use dark ones! And I throw ¾ of a bag in, save the remainder for last step)

·       3 eggs

·       1 ¼ Cup of Sugar

·       1 tsp Vanilla

·       1 cup of Flour

·       ¼ Cocoa Powder (dark also!)

·        ¼  tsp Baking Powder

·       ¼ tsp Salt

Instructions:

1.      Preheat the oven to 350

2.      Line a 8x8 inch dish with parchment paper and spray it with non stick spray (easy clean up!)

3.      Melt the butter and ¾ bag of chips together over a low flame.

4.      Transfer the melted chocolaty goodness to a bowl and add the sugar then eggs.

5.      Add the vanilla

6.      Add the Flower, Cocoa Powder, Baking powder and salt. Mix till it just comes together

7.      Add the remaining chocolate chips (if you have not already eaten them all)

8.      Do not overmix.

9.      Pour into the 8x8 pan and then cook at 350 for 50-60 minutes. Or knife comes clean when you test it.

10.  Let cool for 10-20 min in pan, then remove from pan, let cool for another hour before even attempting to cut them or else you will have a MESS!

When I gave up eating grains recently I realized that baking is first not supposed to happen and second not really tasty. FINALLY I found a recipe that did not add TOO much sugar and included flax seed, so the muffin is packed with protein and goodness. Running Paleo Mama is a great resource for similar recipes.

Paleo Almond Butter Banana Muffins with Flaxseed

These grain free and paleo almond butter banana muffins will become a family favorite for breakfast and snacks! Made with almond flour and flaxseed, these are healthy, kid friendly and perfect for your favorite mix-ins. Course Breakfast/Snack Cuisine Paleo

·       Prep Time 10 minutes

·       Cook Time 20 minutes

·       Total Time 30 minutes

·       Servings 12 muffins

·       Calories 209 kcal Author Michele

Ingredients

·       3 eggs

·       2 overripe medium bananas

·       1/2 cup smooth almond butter

·       1/4 cup raw honey

·       1 tsp pure vanilla extract

·       1 1/4 cups blanched almond flour

·       1/3 cup flaxseed meal

·       1 tsp baking soda

·       generous pinch salt

·       Mini dairy free Chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 12 cup muffin pan with coconut oil or line with muffin liners.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs with the mashed bananas, almond butter, honey, and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, combine the almond flour, flax, baking soda and pinch of salt.

3. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined, don't over-mix. If adding chocolate chips, raisins or chopped nuts, gently stir in about 1/3 -1/2 cup.

4. Spoon the batter evenly among the muffin cups/liners to fill about 3/4 of the way (I made 12), scraping the bowl to use it up. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until edges begin to brown and centers are just set.

 5. Cool in the muffin pan for about 2 minutes, then gently transfer to wire racks to fully cool. Enjoy!

https://www.paleorunningmomma.com/paleo-almond-butter-banana-muffins/

And finally, when I was first learning to cook I saw this Chipotle Sweet potato soup, I believe also a Martha Stewart recipe and found the following also and blended the two, and ever since I make it when a soup is needed. It’s simple recipe and you can kick it up a notch with more chipotle (or less if you have a milder preference)

Spicy Sweet Potato Soup

prep 10 minscook 30 minsinactive 10 minstotal 50 mins

author salt & lavender

yield 4+

This spicy chipotle sweet potato soup is a healthy and flavorful vegan soup with a nice kick of heat! It's wonderfully silky and will really warm you up this fall.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2" pieces (2 lbs)
• 1medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 7 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 chipotle chili pepper + 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
• 1 heaped tablespoon tomato paste
• Salt & pepper, to taste 

Instructions

1. Prep your sweet potatoes and onion.
2. Add the oil to a pot on medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for 5-7 minutes or until it's lightly browned. 
3. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
4. Add the vegetable broth, water, chipotle chili pepper + adobo sauce, tomato paste, and sweet potatoes. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cover with the lid slightly ajar for 15 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are very tender. 
5. Blend the soup in batches until smooth (I recommend letting the soup cool for 10-15 minutes first to do this more safely). Season with salt & pepper and serve immediately. Soup can be frozen for up to 3 months. 

https://www.saltandlavender.com/spicy-chipotle-sweet-potato-soup/cookbook-print/10201/

Mom and Dad’s Paleo Hack Dessert

Ingredients

·        1 can 13.5 oz full-fat coconut milk

·        4 eggs

·        2 T raw honey

·        2 t vanilla extract

·        1-2 t cinnamon

Instructions

·        Preheat oven to 325 degrees

·        In a medium pot, boil 2 cups water

·        In another medium pot, heat coconut milk and honey on medium heat

·        In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon

·        Turn heat down to medium-low on water

·        Turn heat down to low on coconut milk

·        Once milk is heated, pour into bowl with egg mixture. Mix together.

·        Place 4-6 ramekins in baking dish.

·        Fill baking dish half way with the hot water.

·        Pour milk and egg mixture evenly into the ramekins. Bake for 20-30.

·        Refrigerate for 2 hours or eat immediately for a warm version

https://blog.paleohacks.com/decadent-paleo-custard/#

From Scotland:

Scotland is known for quite a few things but shortbread is particularly Scottish! When I was in Iona, I stumbled upon the most delicious fresh shortbread made by the Iona Abbey Community. While I didn’t get a chance to make their version, this recipe below is delicious and very easy!

The story of shortbread begins with the medieval “biscuit bread”. Any leftover dough from bread making was dried out in a low oven until it hardened into a type of rusk: the word “biscuit” means “twice cooked”. Gradually the yeast in the bread was replaced by butter, and biscuit bread developed into shortbread. Shortbread was an expensive luxury and for ordinary people, shortbread was a special treat reserved just for special occasions such as weddings, Christmas and New Year. In Shetland it was traditional to break a decorated shortbread cake over the head of a new bride on the threshold of her new home. The custom of eating shortbread at New Year has its origins in the ancient pagan Yule Cakes which symbolised the sun. In Scotland it is still traditionally offered to “first footers” at New Year. Shortbread has been attributed to Mary, Queen of Scots, who in the mid-16th century was said to be very fond of Petticoat Tails, a thin, crisp, buttery shortbread originally flavoured with caraway seeds. There are two theories regarding the name of these biscuits. It has been suggested that the name “petticoat tail” may be a corruption of the French petites gatelles (“little cakes”).

However these traditional Scottish shortbread biscuits may in fact date back beyond the 12th century. The triangles fit together into a circle and echo the shape of the pieces of fabric used to make a full-gored petticoat during the reign of Elizabeth I. The theory here is that the name may have come from the word for the pattern which was ‘tally’, and so the biscuits became known as ‘petticoat tallis’.

Shortbread is traditionally formed into one of three shapes: one large circle divided into segments (“Petticoat Tails”); individual round biscuits (“Shortbread Rounds”); or a thick rectangular slab cut into “fingers.”

There are many different recipes and regional variations for shortbread. The following recipe uses rice flour to give a slightly grainy texture:

Scottish Shortbread

6 oz. plain flour ~ 2oz. caster sugar ~ 1 oz. icing sugar ~ 2 oz. rice flour ~ 5 oz. butter ~ pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 140°C (280°F or Gas mark 2). In a mixing bowl, cream together the sugars and the butter. Sift in the flours and salt: work by hand to a stiff dough. Roll out the dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Form either into a round or into fingers and prick with a fork. Bake in the oven until light golden brown, around 30 – 40 minutes.

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/Scottish-Shortbread/

From England:

The Full English Breakfast was found each morning at our bed and breakfasts and it was DELICIOUS! The full breakfast would have included haggis, beans, toast and eggs and tomatoes. YUMMY! All accompanied by a pot of tea, of course. SO yummy and so great for a full day of hiking or just getting to tea in the afternoon!

 Stay Tuned for Family Norwegian Recipes

Coventry Pilgrimage

May 22-25 I had the privilege of attending the Cross of Nails Pilgrimage on Reconciliation.  This pilgrimage is offered twice a year, in the fall and spring. Ever since we visited Coventry Cathedral on our Parish Anglican Heritage Pilgrimage, I wanted to learn more about their history and their ministry on reconciliation.

Coventry cathedral was bombed in November 1940 and when the provost (aka Dean of the cathedral) came out the next morning to survey the damage he saw the cathedral in ruin, the city in shambles. It is out of this destruction that their ministry of reconciliation was born. Provost Howard left the ruins of the cathedral and the words “Father Forgive” behind the altar with the two roof beams in from of the altar that fell in the shape of the cross. Since then the cathedral has focused on how do we learn from history, heal those wounds, and build a culture of peace. The Community of the Cross of Nails was birthed from this ministry and helps to provide the words in prayer and action to facilitate dialogue and prayer amongst neighbors and communities.

Our group of pilgrims was diverse, 2 from South Africa, 6 from Southampton, England, 3 from Liverpool, England, 1 from Belgium, 1 from London, and 2 from North American (me and a Canadian!). Our reconciliation ministry team was comprised of the Canon for Reconciliation, the program director and then three interns (1 American, 1 German, and 1 Brit)... we gathered and shared our stories, listened to where the reconciliation was needed and discerned our own paths. It was a prayerful week together full of sharing, laughter, and inspiration. 

St. Cuthbert’s Way and the Norwegians

Many of you know that on my mother’s side there is a strong Norwegian lineage. With names like Signe, Astrid, Dagny, Trigva, and Sigrid, you do have to ask if you do not already know where these names comes from, we are very much Scandinavian!

So when i was wandering around Iona and finally found St Columba’s Bay, it was great fun to run into Norwegians and hear where they were from. The funny thing is that they kept apologizing to the Ionians. Iona, embraced Christianity when St Columba set up residency in the 6th century. And it’s the Vikings that kept coming and invading decimating the monks and the tiny island. (The Norwegians I met said, “Well, if you weren’t the first born son, you were getting nothing, you had to go and invade something to have land!”) What was remarkable is that the people of Iona accepted their kind apologies and said, “NO, if the Vikings hadn’t come the Romans would have kept invading, the Vikings helped us.”

Continuing along the way of St Cuthbert, it’s the monks from Iona who established Melrose Abbey where St Cuthbert entered the monastic life and his life ended in ministry on the isle of Lindisfarne. Lindisfarne is a unique island, where due to the coastal tides it is inaccessible 12 hours of the day and then passable only for 12, the waters come up and cover the walking path and road for 6 hours at a time! Lindisfarne was also a site of Viking invasions... and as I worshiped yesterday morning and waited to receive Eucharist i glanced to my left and there were three plaques commemorating the resolution of  the Viking invasions. In 1993 they were commemorating the Viking invasions (the 1200th anniversary) and in the congregation were Norwegians who brought a letter from their bishop giving thanks for Christianity coming to Norway and seeking forgiveness for the pillaging the Vikings did on Lindisfarne. The framed handwritten note by Lindisfarne stated the conflict was now over.... reconciled. They were of the same body, same Lord through baptism and because of the persistence of the christians of the British Isles! This plaque was a send off surprise for me as we left the island and then headed to Durham where St. Cuthbert’s remains were transported..... due to more invasions!

St Cuthbert’s remains were taken from Lindisfarne due to Norman invasions, they traveled for 7 years until coming to rest in Durham Cathedral. And in the cathedral you can see Cuthbert’s resting place behind the high altar and  the actual wooden coffin from 687! Apparently his coffin was well preserved and so it has lasted! It truly is amazing to see something so old and kept so faithfully, and added bonus our docent was very knowledgeable about the artifacts. Cuthbert’s cross, stole, and comb (gotta look good in the coffin!) were all included with his body in his coffin. As we were talking with our docent I shared that we had hiked and finally made it here to Durham (I said we did the final leg by train to Durham!) I shared about the Norwegians in Iona and she said, “OH, if the invasions had not occurred Durham cathedral would not exist!” You see because the relics of St. Cuthbert were moved around and finally laid to rest in Durham, King Henry VIII did not demolish Durham cathedral because of the relics when he took to smashing abbeys and monasteries (the cause of many of the ruins we saw on our route, communities could not recover and rebuild). 

Often we dwell on the invasion, please understand I am not supporting violence, what these stories have done is to  illuminatedto me what we do and how we move forward from that violence is important. 

How do we shape our history, move towards reconciliation (if possible and preferably sooner than 1200 years!), and fight for others to prevent the same sort of violence to reoccur?

On the final part of my sabbatical i will be learning some Norwegian recipes....it’s fun how unexpected threads get woven into the fabric of our stories. These boots are still walking!

St Cuthbert’s Way- COMPLETE

We made it!

St Cuthbert’s way is 62 miles long, our final journey was 84 miles, not because we got lost but because we had to go off trail for lodging and we stopped along the way to see Abbeys, Castles, and landmarks of note.

But today, today we arrived on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. We could see the Holy Island starting yesterday afternoon when we were 10 miles off, it is gorgeous and the castle and Abbey stand out and are highly visible. Our final 10 miles were joyfully downhill or flat!

The way of St Cuthbert begins in Melrose, Scotland where St Cuthbert grew up and was taught by monks from Iona who lived in the Melrose Abbey. The path follows along the different towns in and amongst the hills and valleys of the Scottish countryside and northeastern English country side. We learned St Cuthbert’s way is not always the shortest way to get to the next town but it was always beautiful to follow and see what lay just beyond the next ridge (there was always another ridge!)

Things we learned:

• There is always going to be a hill (or “ascent” as our book called it) in the first 2 miles and it will get your heart going.
• There is always going to be a hill in the last 2 miles because you are tired and would rather it be flat
• Cuthbert meandered around to get to the sea. His way is not the shortest route.
• We went 6 days without riding in a car, watching TV, or talking on the phone and it was delightful.
• We had 6 days of SUNSHINE! (One day threatened rain but cleared up and I think most people got sunburned!)
• Hiking poles are THE BEST (thanks Kermit for ours!)
• Each person you encountered was a new adventure to learn about.
• Afternoon tea makes the world a better place

This time of year is before the heavy rains, our trails were not overgrown or very muddy. We also were in and amongst 3 different groups. Hikers can hike in several ways, many companies will book your stay and take care of moving your luggage from one place to another. OR you can coordinate your own trip. We were amongst three other groups who all ended today at the Holy Island. Each of us had different companies who planned out our trip and one group did their own logistics. While we never started hiking out together on each day, we would find each other along the way. The group of 4 women hiking together, the group of three men hiking together, a couple and then Rob and me. Each day we  would find each other on trail or at the end of trail. (Each town only had so many bed and breakfasts and restaurants.) While we didn’t learn everyone’s names it was fun to hear each other’s stories, give thanks for the small triumphs and be thankful all at the same time for each little blessing.

Today Rob and I saw each and every person we traveled with on the road. From what i understand this time of year is not peak season, so there were times where we heard no other humans, just birds or silence—- one foot after another. It was beautiful to see the topography change, the climate change, the flora change and to be able to have the opportunity to do such a hike.

Tomorrow we leave the Holy Island and continue a bit more of St Cuthbert- we will see him once more in Durham, where his remains were taken for safe keeping during the 11century invasions and have remained there ever since!

It’s all Scottish!

Did you know?

• The inventor of Velcro was Scottish
• The inventor of the Kaleidoscope was Scottish
• The inventor of Chloroform was Scottish (and was the first anesthesia used.
• Robert Louis Stevenson (Scottish) based his book on Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde on Deacon Brodie a real life cabinet maker by day and thief by night (he kept copies of the keys to the cabinets he made!)
• Charles Dickens found the name for Ebenezer Scrooge on a grave in Edinburgh when he misread Ebenezer Scroogie who was a “Meal Man” not a “Mean Man”
• J K Rowling also found names for her characters from tombstones in Edinburgh, Thomas Riddle’s grave can be found in Greyfriar’s churchyard
• Mary, Queen of Scots, was named queen when she was 5 days old, married at 15, widowed at 17, orphaned at 19 and married three times (the third husband murdered her second husband and ultimately died in a danish prison)
• Edinburgh, Jedburgh, and Dryburgh all rhyme with burrow not BERG 
• There are some Scottish hills around here and sheep, lots of sheep.
• The Kelvin temperature measurement was named after, you have got it, a Scotsman.
• Clydesdales, yea they are from the region around the Clyde River in Scotland.

In the words of Mike Meyers, “If it’s not Scottish, it’s crap!”

A little more of Scotland (second attempt)

So, I had a brilliant wordy (and worded!)  post composed and ready to post catching you up on the past five days.

AND then the iPad literally ate the post. I created it, had it waiting to post as a draft...and where did it go?????

If, miraculously, the post appears, you will know what indeed went on....I know, i know, sabbatical problems, people are hungry and there are real injustices going on, i just wanted to let you know there was a different post (in case it, again, shows up somehow). End Rant.

Today we began the hike called “The Way of St Cuthbert”- this hike is for the organized! The crest and shield markers are very easy to spot, easy to follow, and take you to and fro, hither and yon on very visible trails (yes, Rob is still in charge of the map, but we rarely need it anyway).

St Cuthbert grew up in Melrose, where our hike began today. Melrose Abbey was the place where the monks lived, prayed, and led a school. Cuthbert joined the school and later became a monk also. Eventually he became a priest and much further along he became the bishop of Lindisfarne (our final destination). He was known for his care and compassion for people. This path of 63 miles traces the River Tweed and the towns that Cuthbert would have visited and overseen while in ministry in this area. We hiked to Dryburgh Abbey today, roughly 7 miles, and settled in for the night.

The differences in hiking today verses last week are striking to me. 

In Iona, I hiked on my own, it was foggy and i kept stepping in mud holes, if you got lost you hit water, temperatures were quite cool, and  I only found one trail marker on the whole island and it didn’t say what it was marking or why it was there.

On this path of St Cuthbert’s we have this lovely shield we see plastered all along the way. Rob is hiking with me and near me, we have a river not an ocean to keep us on track, and the sun was shining today.

Each of these forms of hiking are marvelous and have their place. Sometimes we need the clear directed path, sometimes we need the wandering times. Sometimes we need tangible companionship, sometimes we need merely the alone time with God.

Psalm 121 says “I lift my eyes up, up to the hills, where does my help come from?”

Today Rob and I hiked up 1400ft in the first 1.2miles. It was a breathtaking experience (in all meanings of the word!) and 5 miles later when we glanced back at the hills it was hard to believe we had hiked through them, they were so high and far away.

Some days we need to have others with us sharing their story of how to get up over the hills

Some days we need to tell our stories of how we made it over the hills.

Each day we take one step at a time where ever we might be on the path, marked or unmarked.

And some days we rest on the bench, on the way up or on the way down, gathering up our strength for the next part of the journey.... astonished by the beautiful creation around us.

The unique place called: Iona

Insights on Iona:

• Iona is where you luggage driver is the bartender at night at the pub and bakes bread for the bakery in the morning.
• Midsummer Murders (think murder she wrote but bettter) could never be filmed here because one episode would wipe out an entire family (Each episode has 3 murders, the town has 135 permanent  residents)
• Iona is gorgeous!
• 3 restaurants in town, only one that you can pop in without reservations.
• “Not all who wander are lost” (CS Lewis or JRR Tolkien), Me: Here: I wander and am mostly always lost
• Sheep do not give directions regardless of how desperately you might be in need of them.
• It rains on Iona a lot (not a big deal if you wear the right clothes and wait 15 minutes because it also stops too)
• Gullies of rain (really called streams) and the path often look alike but are not the same thing. (One is less nice to step in/on)
• I am a fan of fences, they keep animals in their space and humans something to follow to find civilization again.

Iona is beautiful. It’s an island 3 miles long and about a mile wide. It’s easy to get lost on the trails, but not too badly, you will eventually hit water and worst case could follow the coastline back. Again worst case.

I arrived with SUNSHINE! It was gorgeous and not taking these moments for granted, I walked to the Abbey and the Nunnery and toured town (it’s less than a mile from where I am staying to the Abbey. Not knowing when the sun would be back, I took full advantage of its presence, which is good because on Thursday we didn’t see hide the sun at all and we almost saw the sun on Friday....it was brighter.....

Iona is an old island and it is where St Columba established a monastary in the 6th century and  he was buried here (though I believe some of his remains have been removed). It has been a pilgrimage site for hundreds of years with nooks and crannies to discover.

The now Iona Community was established in the 1930’s by George McLeod... which created a prayerful community focused around 1. Prayer, 2. Scripture, 3. Accountability, 4. Social Justice and 5. Meeting together. This community offers morning prayers at 9am and Evening prayers at 9pm. There are several faith communities on the island- the Cowley Brothers (think SSJE in Massachusetts!) have the Bishop’s house on the island and offer Morning prayer at 8am and Compline at 8:15pm and the Catholics gather at 5pm daily and the Presbyterians only meet on Sundays (i think). There are a lot of opportunities for prayerfulness.

My learnings have been on the hikes here. The first day i wandered the trails at the northern tip of the island. Lovely. Wasn’t sure where i was most moments but I figured if i kept the houses in sight i would make it back okay. I had water, a power bar and a warm jacket. Worst case that would be my dinner. (Don’t worry, found a real dinner too!)

The second day i bought a map and set forth to do more of the northern part of the island through the hills. While i can navigate a train station and trains, i seem to be terrible at topographical maps paired with the rain here and trails that aren’t trails and sheep that don’t give directions... I wandered a good bit. I ran into a great group who pointed me out to where i was and then sent me on my way.

The third Day i set out encouraged by my friend who stayed with me that the hike was an easy one to Columba’s Bay (where they think the Saint first arrived- his abbey is 2 miles south-why? More mud for me to hike through)... so off i went. And the wandering began ....Today’s daily office readings talked about “do not judge others lest you be judged”- I was reminded of this when i was hiking into a bay and recalled my thoughts when our host said, “yea last week a hiker broke his ankle on his hike down to Marble Bay and when they found him he had hypothermia”— as i hiked down into a valley I realized my judgement passed on this other hiker thinking “Oh, the novice”—- and found myself looking at this ravine going “OH my!”..... needless to say i wasn’t even on Marble Bay! I survived just fine, no twisted ankles.

The blessing and challenge of Iona is that the trails are not marked with markers or sign posts, the paths allow you to wander, to meander, be lost (with or without a map!) and then return. You are never too far away and yet very isolated. I found myself alone on most of my trails  and realizing the gift of companions on the way and also, if i am the only one out here, how nuts or lost am I?

I finally made it to St Columba’s Bay (they believe he first arrived here due to it’s size and location) and it is beautiful. And it is there i ran into the Norwegians. They came from the other path, the one i thought was too long- uh, it’s the easiest path i have ever hiked here! We had a delightful conversation about the space and hike.

The gift of this island and it’s smallness is that you become community - most stay 2-3 nights. My fellow residents and i had dinner together last night (remember only 3 places to eat at night) and they had helped the Norwegians i met this afternoon when they came across on the ferry. I came across the ferry with a sweet couple who I keep crossing paths with as they are hiking one way and i the other. While we haven’t exchanged names and numbers, we check in with each other and are always thankful to see each other! 

At breakfast the first day we were talking about the journey here. My companion said, “it’s the great equalizer”- everyone has to spend quite a bit of time getting here due to the islands and transportation. No matter if you are a monk, resident, or pilgrim- everyone takes that ferry over!

There were moments on the hikes where i found myself getting frustrated and to turn my mood around i would think, “Well, at least i have hiking boots and not running shoes” or “I am able to hike and be lost” or “THANK YOU LILLY and St John’s for this opportunity”..... and then i would find a road or fence and be okay....

What are the equalizing things in your life?

How do you turn your mindset about when the mud puddles could pull you down?

Who are the strangers that are community on your path?

(The way of St Cuthbert is a marked path and I have told Rob he is in charge of the map)