Modern Day Nativity Story to Make You Smile

Came across this link this morning and, yes, it did make me smile. What a pilgrimage Mary and Joseph took! Merry Christmas.

The Empty Nest: Modern Day Nativity Story to Make You Smile

The group is heading through security at Edinburgh! Thanks to BA agent Graeme at Edinburgh for his great help with check in.

Thank you all for following us...the pilgrims will see you tonight. Don't ask us too many questions right away when we get off the plane, but we've got lots to tell when it all sinks in and jetlag wears off!

Peace,
Jenni+

One notable quote for now -- I'm so glad the haggis has gone from one stomach to another. (Sean Simon)

We celebrated a July 4th to remember... Morning Eucharist at St. Andrews Cathedral in Aberdeen, the city where the first Anglican Bishop was consecrated outside of the UK (our own Samuel Seabury after the American Revolution), and received Communion from the pewter chalice used during that consecration service. We remembered and reflected on the history in the U.S. that separated the spheres of church and state. Thank you to St. Andrews for your warm welcome in worship and fellowship.
Next we had a picnic in the pouring rain, huddled in tunnels in the ruins of Dunnottar Castle looking over dramatic cliffs to the crashing North Sea.
Our last pilgrimage stop was at historic St. Machars, a church built on the site of the one Columba's disciple established when bringing the faith from Iona through Scotland-- the journey continuing--where we gathered for a teary time of sharing what our journey with each other has meant to us as we leave here and journey in new ways.
The night ended with a four-course Scottish feast, haggis and all, and a Ceilidh of our own to reel and jig. The pictures will speak for themselves!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

We awoke to full-cooked British breakfast morning and gorgeous day in Edinburgh.

With our kilt clad tour guide Steve and bus driver McAllister, we explored the city from a newly revitalized neighborhood; to parks with stunning views that once belonged only to royals; from palace to parliament, university, grant square, and Princes Street where we heard stories of people who lived with passion and creativity and called Edinburgh home (ask us about the many things we learned were invented or discovered here in Scotland).

We paused in the welcoming nave of St. John's Episcopal Church on Princes Street where they had prepared a holy place of worship for us. Thank you, Virgil Langley.

In the afternoon, we explored more on foot and made our way up to Edinburgh Castle to culminate our stay in Scotland's capitol.

In Aberdeen, we checked into a lovely country hotel where we had a 3 course meal and enjoyed the bright light of summer that lingers for so long this far north.

We share the hotel with two sets of wedding parties and we will fall asleep above Caliegh's fiddle while kilts swirl below.

Thoughts from the pilgrims….

Our hotel looks like a castle!

Matt Flyr: He loved the fact that as a member of St. John's we stopped at St. John's Episcopal and Oxford Village is so pretty.

No news is good news...

No updates for Friday's adventure from Iona to Aberdeen. 

We'll just have to be patient. There are new photos, however!

J2A Pilgrimage Jun 28

How beautiful and from expressions on faces, everyone is experiencing a very special time in their life. Cindy, please have someone take a picture of you with the beautiful green of the land and water as your background.....I am following you each day on computer and in prayer. Tell Colin "Hi"...Mom

J2A Pilgrimage Jun 30

jessie.mauney

Jun 30, 2010 7:49 PM

Great picture of my beautiful Mom! It looks so windy there :)

Turning Scottish

We woke on our last morning in Iona to rain and gale force winds. Last night we prayed for help with the local water shortage, so the lesson is, "Be careful what you pray for!"

Our last morning session was filled with a lesson on creativity with a Celtic twist, of course.

In the afternoon, the rain ended and we had a dancing sunlight to play in for our last block of time on Iona.

Our stay concluded with table space worship with many of our youth singing in the choir. "Iona Phil," a new friend and the musician for the week at Iona, blessed us with his presence, his friendship, and his talents. He gave much of his heart to the youth and they love him in return. He encouraged many of our youth to sing in the choir during worship this week. We were truly blessed to have him with us this week; he gave so much of his heart.

We will surely miss this place and those who prayed, cooked, worshipped, and cleaned with us. We presented them with their own St. John's pilgrimage t-shirt. 

Thoughts from the pilgrims…

"The weather has turned Scottish."

Kat Mackey: "I love meeting new people and there are certainly plenty here!"

Madison Croxson and Eryn Davis: "Although we are sad to leave Iona, we are looking forward to experiencing city life in Edinburgh."

Dangerous priest!

June 30th post

"Knitting is my new TV!"

"I'm enjoying the no cell phone rule on Iona.  It has made the trip so peaceful. It made the trip much better and peaceful."

"I never realized that having Jenni chasing me around a table with cleaning spray when I'm cleaning the table could be so funny! She is a dangerous priest." ha ha

Walking the J2A labyrinth

Happy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/mweedlun/Movies?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ7qh7jh6M_7gwE#5488912347443757154

Click on the blue movie box or on the link above

Nothing but cows and sheep and grass

Pilgrimage within the pilgrimage: On a fantastically beautiful and sunny day, the pilgrims went on 7 mile hike over most of the island stopping at several spots of historic beauty. Along the way, they stopped for a picnic lunch and then later for tea and flapjacks.

The pilgrims chose to remain anonymous today

• "I am really enjoying the atmosphere here. It is so community oriented and welcoming. I have already started calling Iona home. I don't want to leave."

• "I have learned more about myself and about God on Iona than anywhere else."

• "I love being able to look out the window and see nothing but sheep and cows and grass. And not thinking it's weird. No cars for us. It's weird."

• "The pilgrimage hike was an amazing and unique experience that outlines this land's beauty."

• "Iona is an amazing island that is in touch with God."

• Today's featured small group says that they enjoy playing a bit of soccer each day with one of the kitchen assistants, Tom. The kids presented him with a pilgrimage t- shirt. "Tom rocks at soccer. He's the man!"
  

The news from Iona...anybody else worried they won't want to come back???

"This place is too perfect to be real."

"I could live here"

"We are so thankful for all of our supporters back home that made it possible for us to be here."

We had the most amazing day. We went on a trip to Staffa. We saw puffins and the island was amazing. We learned a great deal about the plight of refugees in our world. We learned through music and song. We had a number of our youth who sang at the worship in the abbey. It moved the leaders to tears. We went to the Ceilidh tonight and had a blast. Neil and Tim played a song. Tori taught the Scots how to do the Cha Cha Slide. We have had too many highlights to list, but one serendipitous encounter is that we spent some time with another J2A group from Connecticut. We love you all.

Those boots are coming in handy!

Beautiful Staffa Boat trip

In all ways the spirit, graciousness, and hospitality of this place and these people have been wonderful for us all!
Thank you for following us...Jenni+

Referring to Jenni's Hobbit reference describing Scottish eating patterns, Laura Zab says: Here there actually are 17 meals in a day. We went somewhere and ate, then walk and eat more! There's breakfast, 2nd breakfast, brunch, lunch, tea, supper...

Some quotes to show you how tired we all were from the journey:
Um...how do you spell "Americian", (shall-remain-nameless, trying to fill out a landing card at UK border)

Oooh guys--we should pull an all-nighter. It'll be our 3rd in one day (Laura Zab)

Eryn Davis says: Iona is beautiful! That's all I can say!! There are so many sheep! BAAAA!

Joanna Weedlun says: Scotland is simply beautiful. Simple and beautiful.

Sara Salinas says: After the long journey, the views and the peace are well worth it.

Had our first breakfast on Iona-- porridge. Morning prayer was-- God, thank you for breakfast; porridge. Help us be soft and warm, like porridge, not crispy and cold, like cornflakes. :)

On the way to Iona

Last word today was this great photo of some of the pilgrims aboard the ferry to Iona. It was a tight connection, but they made it! Cindy and Jenni said that everything went well all the way through to Gatwick. Hopefully, we'll get some news tomorrow from Iona. Thank you to everyone who helped out yesterday, especially the Flyrs and the Weedlun college kids who weighed and processed all the luggage and to all of you who got your kids (spouses, parents...) to the the church on time. Not a single piece of luggage was over the weight limit. Will update as soon as I hear anything else; hopefully, I'll have some words from the kids.

We cleared Heathrow no bother... On the plane to Glasgow!

And they are off!

A Pilgrim's Guide to Iona Abbey: Guide Book

Hooray!! The pilgrims arrived at Dulles at 3:00...no small miracle on a Friday in DC traffic! Jenni just reported that all went smoothly through check-in and security, all reported to the gate on time after dinner, and that they are boarding now at 6:15 pm.

Boarding!

Hospites Mundi~~~~~ Guests of the World

Please meet at the church by 1:00. Please make sure that you weigh your suitcase before you arrive. Remember, it must weigh under 50 pounds! Please wear your t-shirt. Bring your passport, luggage, and an open heart.

What are you doing to prepare for the pilgrimage? 

(see the answers in the comment section below)