pat loughery

I’ve mentioned before that I’m finding myself drawn to some form of relationship with one of the three Celtic Christian communities which are UK/Ireland based but have American affiliations as well.

These three are Northumbria Community, Iona Community and Community of Aidan and Hilda. All three are contemporary communities which are self-consciously Celtic in nature (meaning that they learn from and live the lessons of the unique stream of Christianity which developed in Celtic lands). All three are undeniably Christ-like, missional, servant-hearted organisms. All three have home bases in Celtic lands, but also have a globally dispersed community which identifies itself as part of the mother house. And all three have North American communities as well.

They each have unique flavors as well. In my limited exposure to each of them, my impressions would be summarized simply this way:

The Iona Community is theologically on the liberal end of this trio. They are focused on social justice, and are very good at urban immersion. They do much to renew traditional worship forms in liturgical churches. Their mother house is on the island of Iona, but their offices and much of their community are in Glasgow. They have the simplest written Way of Life.

The Northumbria Community is for me one of the most difficult to get a flavor from, which is interesting in that the community prayer book, Celtic Daily Prayer, is the one that I’ve lived in for the longest period of time. I was honored to meet with some of the US community’s members, and I appreciated that contact greatly. For some reason that I don’t quite understand, I just haven’t felt a ‘click’ with them – or more specifically, called to pursue affiliation.

However, Northumbria Community has an excellent Way of Life, which includes two simple vows: Availability and Vulnerability. These two elements, I’m certain, could focus my spiritual journey for a lifetime. And my time meeting community leader Roy Searle was fantastic.

The community that I feel most attracted to is the Community of Aidan and Hilda. Perhaps this is because I really identify with what I’ve read from community leader (guardian) Ray Simpson and my time meeting him was also fantastic. And the book that he wrote, A Pilgrim’s Way, is one that I plan to reread many many times through my life. In my understanding, this Community is evangelical and charismatic, intentionally both contemplative and missional. They speak language of being inwardly and outwardly focused, mimicing the tidal nature of the island of Lindisfarne, where their mother house is located. And there is something about their Way of Life which feels balanced to me, complete. Much like the Benedictine Rule, it is flexible and realistic, not performance-oriented (like the others in this regard). But somehow, it just feels like it “fits”.

I feel the desire (or is it need?) to be connected to a community that thinks like I do, that challenges me to grow, that is on the same type of journey that i’m on. I feel the desire for something formal(ish). And the more I read, pray, listen – the more I find myself leaning toward the Community of Aidan and Hilda, as much as I respect all three of these communities.

Ahh, it’s like this, for a limited metaphor. I wear jeans and t-shirts most days. Jeans are comfortable, and I never have to iron them. But when I do take the time to iron, a pair of casual slacks is more comfortable. Not for the way it looks to others, but for what it does to me, I’m feeling like I want to iron some Dockers. Metaphorically, of course; in reality, the Utilikilt beats them all 🙂