pat loughery

I recently finished reading a great little book that I’ve been trying for months to sneak in between books for classes. It’s this one:

“Urban Iona: Celtic Hospitality in the City” (Kurt Neilson)

Urban Iona is the story of a Portland Oregon based Episcopalian priest who pilgrimages to Celtic lands and finds a deep connection with Celtic spirituality there. Upon his return home he introduces what he found on his pilgrimage into his parish church.  The church practices hospitality in the way of food and ministry to their neighbors, which include a thriving prostitution business that takes place in their parking lot.

In the past year and a half I’ve read thirty books on Celtic Christianity. It’s becoming more and more difficult to find one that stands out in the crowd, but this one does.

It’s unique because he author tells a very personal story, and because he’s a great storyteller. Woven into Neilson’s experience on his once in a lifetime pilgrimage is enough history and context to help people unfamiliar with the people and locations he is describing. But the mode of the book is story, story and more story. As a result, it’s a very readable and inspiring.

For those of you interested in Celtic pilgrimage, or Celtic spirituality in contemporary mission-shaped churches, this is the book for you.