For the two weeks we were in Scotland and England, we saw almost no rain–it waited until the final drive to the airport. It feels like grace.

For the past six weeks I have traveled to some of the most extraordinary and inspiring places on earth. My head and heart are full.

Now quotidian time begins. Tomorrow I begin to Sabbath at home for a while. My next trip will most likely be to Oregon for Jonas’ shower.

I need time to put all of my thoughts in order. My photos of the Holy Land will arrive around the first of November via a friend of my brother’s who will pick up my no longer lost camera in Tel Aviv and deliver it to Houston.

As I begin the second of my three flights home, I am filled with peace and gratitude. Even with four hours sleep!

When the tide turns and the causeway from Holy Island to the mainland is opened soon, I’ll leave this beautiful place and begin the long journey back to Houston.

We’ve been doing all of our worship at St. Mary’s seated in choir, that is facing one another. In the pew there are cards with a blessing for those leaving the island; those leaving the island are encouraged to request the blessing at their final service.

Last night after Evening Prayer (which ended outside overlooking St. Cuthbert’s Island while we prayed prayers in honour of him), I let the Vicar know that today would be our final time to join them for worship. At The Peace this morning he asked if we still wanted the blessing. I certainly did!

At the close of the service he invited my friend and me up for our blessing. He also invited anyone else who was taking leave. Another man came forward. My friend and I smiled because our blessing allowed another to be blessed, too. God’s abundance for sure.

Here are the words of St. Mary the Virgin parish’s blessing:

To the prayers of the island saints we commend you.
May God’s angels watch round you to protect you.
May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen you for all that lies ahead.
May Christ Jesus befriend you with his compassion and peace.

May the Lord be a bright light before us.
Be a guiding star above us.
Be a smooth path beneath us.
And the blessing of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit be with you this day and always.

Go in the peace of Christ:
Thanks be to God.

It was cold and sunny today which made it great for walking and cappuccinos.

The day started with Morning Prayer followed by Holy Communion at the parish church, St. Mary’s, and ended back there for Evening Prayer. The worship concluded with a procession outside to the statute of St. Aidan where we closed our prayers. The walk back to my Bed and Breakfast was along the causeway as the sun set.

I spent time this afternoon walking around the ruins of the Benedictine Priory. I was thoughtful about the many ruins of once vital Christian communities I’ve visited on my Sabbatical. Although the buildings no longer stand, I believe that the effects of the people’s prayers and worship and acts of service continue to be alive and bear fruit. I believe our lives are better because of their anonymous and hidden faithful acts.

I pray the same for what we do.

All connections neatly made, I’m now in England on Lindisfarne, after waiting nearly thirty years to arrive The church my family attended for many years was St. Cuthbert in Houston, and I have longed to come to this place he called home.

An Iona connection is that St. Aidan, who founded the monastery here on Holy Island, came as a missionary from Iona. Cuthbert followed him years later as Prior and then Bishop.

Another interesting tidbit is that Christianity came to Scotland from Ireland via St. Columba at Iona thirty or so years before St. Augustine came to Canterbury and founded a monastery there.