Photo © David Coleman

Books for the approaching season

From Darkness to Eastering Bonnie B Thurston

These reflective, prayerful poems, which can be used in a daily discipline or with groups, show how, on a cosmic and a personal level, darkness gives way to light. They do not sugar-coat the reality of darkness but are full of hope, reminding voyagers that ‘light shines in the darkness’, that darkness is required to perceive light – and that Easter means the light has come, life triumphs, and the promised Holy Spirit will empower us for growth: ‘eastering’…

In winter one sees
otherwise hidden
contours of the land,
how the hills enfold
down the long hollows
providing empty
space for the spring’s streams,
how the high ridges
slice the icy sky.

In life’s long winter
the contours of life,
age softened and wise,
shyly emerge like
slowly ripened fruit,
a glorious pear,
perhaps slightly bruised,
full of succulent
juice, the shape of hope.

For more information and to see a sample

For the e-book version

Spring Liturgical resources for February, March and April including Lent and Holy Week Ruth Burgess

This liturgical resource book covering the months of February, March and April includes prayers, responses, stories, songs, poems, liturgies, reflections, scripts and monologues for the major Christian festivals and fast days of Lent and Holy Week, as well as for Candlemas, Fair Trade Fortnight and Earth Day. The material is written by Iona Community members, associates, friends and others.

Bless to us, O God,
the fragility of snowdrops,
the blossoming of orchards,
the dancing of bees.

Bless to us, O God,
the smudge of ashes,
the Lenten journey,
the blazing Easter fire.

Bless and silence us with wonder,
O God of hope and justice.
Gift us with courage.
Warm and quicken us with love.

Ruth Burgess

For more information and to see a sample

For the e-book version

Downloads for Candlemas

Praying with Light (PDF download) In Candlemas and starless nights Rebeka Maples

Digital download: Poems, prayers and meditations which could be used in a daily discipline.

The liturgical year is filled with seasons of light. We move through the seasons and bring our weary light-deprived souls with us, as if there is no light, as if it only shines at Christmas, on the righteous, the lucky, or the blessed. But light is a part of life and we are all blessed with it. It surrounds us and breathes over us and through us. It blinds us and invades us. Light finds a way, when there is no way. Light is a lamp in the darkness and a beacon through the storms that life bombards us with on the journey.

The Sunday of Candlemas marks the end of the Christmas season, but it does not mark the end of light coming into the world; rather it reminds us that the joy of Christ’s birth is only the beginning of the gift we have been given, are given, and will be given.

42 pages

For more information and to see a sample

Candlemas (PDF Download) Various contributors

Digital download: Readings, responses, a song, play script and story for Candlemas, taken from the book Hay & Stardust by Ruth Burgess.

13 pages

For more information and to see a sample

A Service for Candlemas / St Brigid / Imbolc (PDF Download) Annie Heppenstall & Carey Saleh

Digital download: A short, reflective service for Candlemas / St Brigid / Imbolc with readings, responses, participative actions and songs. There is also a section of explanatory notes for the leader.

9 pages

For more information and to see a sample

Candlemas (PDF Download) Various contributors

Digital download: Songs, biblical reflections, monologues, a prayer and a drama script to celebrate Candlemas. Taken from the book Spring: Liturgical resources for February, March and April, by Ruth Burgess.

Contents:
Old folk (monologue), by Marjorie Dobson
A couple came in with their baby (script), by Kathy Crawford
My name is Anna (biblical reflection), by Pam Hathorn
Joseph (monologue), by Evelyn Sweerts
God’s blessing (biblical reflection), by Ruth Burgess
God of light and love (prayer), by Louise Gough
Nunc Dimittis 1 (song - words only with suggested tune), by Roddy Cowie
Nunc Dimittis 2 (song - words only with suggested tune), by Roddy Cowie

10 pages

For more information and to see a sample

Recently published

The Kentigern Way A life and Lakeland pilgrimage (Book & e-book) Stephen G Wright

The Kentigern Way is a guide to a pilgrimage route in one of the most majestic landscapes in the UK, that of the Lake District, which is rich in beauty, nature and history.

More than this, it provides an historical backdrop to St Kentigern and the region, cutting through myths and assumptions to examine the reality of emerging 6th-century Christianity in ‘Britannia’. Kentigern is also known as St Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow, although his influence goes far beyond that city.

This book also discusses what pilgrimage is (and how it differs from tourism) and provides suggestions on how to enrich the pilgrimage experience through guided reflections and prayers.

Although the pilgrimage is rooted in Christian sacred sites, it is made accessible to people of all faiths and none who seek spiritual depth in the experience. You don’t have to be a Christian to follow this pilgrimage route, nor will this book try to make you one.

Includes a look at the feminine in contemporary Christianity and a special section on the importance of Kentigern’s often-ignored mother, Teneu.

Historians will enjoy the honest assessment of Kentigern’s life and some revealing asides about the reality of Celtic culture. Walkers will find an enthralling travel guide and a beautiful, manageable route. Contemplatives will be encouraged by the emphasis on listening and stillness. And I challenge anyone not to be inspired and intrigued by the thoughtfulness and love that have gone into researching and producing this unusual and compelling work.
James Newcome, Bishop of Carlisle

Stephen Wright had a long and distinguished nursing career in practice and academia before developing an interest in the connection between spirituality and wellbeing. As a result, he co-founded the Sacred Space Foundation, based in Cumbria, which supports those in spiritual crisis. He is an ordained interfaith minister, a spiritual director and a member of the Iona Community.

For more information and for a link to a sample

For the e-book version

Sing But Keep On Walking Readings, poems and prayers for Advent (Book & e-book) Jan Sutch Pickard

Sing But Keep On Walking moves between the islands of Mull and Iona and the hills of the West Bank and Jerusalem: places ‘on the edge’. And, like in Palestine two thousand years ago, that’s where God comes to us, in human form, as living Word, as light out of darkness.

‘I’m writing amid political chaos and climate crisis,’ says Jan, ‘with no easy answers … But we can speak truth to power, walk side by side, sing justice. We can live an alternative.’

For more information and for a link to a sample

For the e-book version

Subscription Info

You are receiving this message because you opted for a subscription to this newsletter while registering on our website, making a purchase or sending an e-postcard.

Contact Us

We thank you for your interest and support. If you have any questions, please contact us at

admin@ionabooks.com

UnSubscribe

If you wish to be taken off the newsletter mailing list, please unsubscribe here

21 Carlton Court, Glasgow, G5 9JP, UK. Tel. +44 (0)141 429 7281

Wild Goose Publications is the publishing house of The Iona Community, a charity registered in Scotland.
Charity number: SC003794, Company no. SC096243.