Doing 'mongrel' church

Last night (31 June 2012), a group of mainly Mennonite pilgrims from North America arrived in Edinburgh at the end of a long two week journey across these islands. They have been taking in some significant Celtic Christian sites and meeting inspirational people who continue to be shaped in the contemporary by ancient roots, and by a style of faith which is deeply rooted in landscape, community, human longing for wholeness and the sharing of resources and worship.

The group is staying at a hostel at the top of Leith Walk. This morning some of them have been at St Giles Cathedral (or the High Kirk, as many loyal Presbyterians prefer to think of it!) and some other local churches: Church of Scotland, United Reformed and Catholic were mentioned when we met them last night. I will be speaking this afternoon about the changing nature of Christianity in these island.

After a slightly late arrival from the lure of Lindisfarne and Durham, a meal was enjoyed at the wonderful French/Scottish bistro Cafe Marlayne, yards from where the AMBS pilgrims are staying. Then we (the group, and local contacts Simon Barrow and Carla Roth) went back to spend some time reflecting with our presenters for the evening. Ian Milligan [pictured] and Eildon Dyer live in Glasgow and Ian, in particular, has been working to cultivate interest in Anabaptism and its particular expressions (not least the Mennonites) in Scotland. He made a presentation about a fascinating 30-year local independent church community in Pollokshields called - enigmatically - 'Bert'. Eildon offered her own distinct perspective in response to questions.

Bert seeks to explore and incarnate what it means to be followers of Jesus in a particular locality today in a variety of ways. At the heart of what they are about is worship on a Monday evening (often drawing on Iona and related material), the sharing of food and hospitality, an economic discipline (based on graduated tithing), involvement in caring and socially-oriented professional and voluntary work, connections with places as far afield as Bosnia and Nicaragua, and practical connections with other church and community groups. Partying and celebration is another binding characteristic.

The size of Bert has stayed fairly consistent, with a core of around 16 people, throughout its history. In some cases that has involved whole families, and in other cases partners are not directly involved but have sympathy. Some retain relationship with historic denominations, others do not. For some Anabaptist influences (especially personal ones, with people like Alan and Ellie Kreider, formerly Mennonite mission workers in Britain) are important and explicit. In other ways, those resonances, and indeed Celtic ones, are more "in the mix" rather than explicit.

In a cafe conversation about Scotland's future, Ian referred to a speaker at a major rally for the devolved Scottish parliament talking proudly about being "a mongrel nation", rather than one defined by ethnic exclusivity and privilege. In many ways, Bert comes across as a positively "mongrel church". Its strength lies in drawing on a range of influences, including people with different backgrounds and faith journeys; emphasising the evangel (good news) in the evangelical heritage rather than ideological conformity; being mostly 'Protestant' but having had a Catholic nun as a community guide; following Jesus but not trying to 'own' him; practicing communal discernment around decisions (but without the formalism and anxiety that can often betoken);  and being both emergent in form but also open to inheriting the depth and breadth of the Christian tradition and the wisdom that comes from genuine encounter with those of other faiths and good faith.

In their own words...

This is how the Celtic Spirituality Pilgrims from North America, coordinated by Marlene and Stan Kropf from the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana, described their venture in the publicity leading up to their journey across Scotland, Ireland and England.

"During the Middle Ages, the practice of going on a pilgrimage satisfied a deep need for adventure, companionship, and spiritual renewal.  Today the reasons for traveling to holy places remain much the same.  Embarking on a journey with fellow-seekers after God an opening one’s self to new learning and adventures along the way can become a rich context for reflection, relationships and renewal.

"The 2012 Celtic Spirituality Pilgrimage will begin with several days of retreat on the Island of Iona in western Scotland and continue from there to historic Celtic sites in Northern Ireland and Ireland. In Dublin we will see the magnificent Book of Kells at Trinity College.  At Kildare and at Glendalough we will be guided on walking pilgrimages to places associated with St Brigid and  St Kevin.  From Ireland the group will travel to Lindisfarne, northern England’s holy island, and to the historic city of Durham.  The pilgrimage concludes in Edinburgh, Scotland.  

"Although activities will vary from day to day, you can expect the pilgrimage to include daily experiences of morning and/or evening prayer; stimulating presentations on the Celtic Church and its spiritual traditions; quiet space for retreat; time for recreation and long walks; visits to ancient crosses; and many opportunities for conversation and reflection with other pilgrims."

The embryonic Exploring Anabaptism Scotland network is delighted to be helping with the hosting in Edinburgh, as the group arrive at the end of their journey and reflect on how to take what they have seen and heard back to North America.

We would also like to say a large thank you to Willard Roth, who for many years have cultivated this pilgrimage and the many connections it has made across Scotland, Wales, Ireland and England. The journey continues...

Mennonite pilgrims arrive in Scotland

A group of North American (mainly) Mennonites arrives in Scotland tomorrow, concluding a two week 'Celtic pilgrimage' across these islands, and taking in sites such as Iona, Rostrevor, Dublin, Glendalough, Lindisfarne, Dublin and now Edinburgh.

The group is coordinated from the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana, led by Marlene and Stan Kropf, and draws participants from the USA and Canada.

These pilgrimages have been regular bi-annual events for a number of years, previously led by Willard Roth and others. They aim to learn about the development of Celtic-influenced Christianity in Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England, and to draw lessons for contemporary Christian practice.

In Edinburgh, the group will hear on Saturday evening from Ian Milligan, one of the initiators of the Exploring Anabaptism group in Scotland, and also a long-term leader of the Bert community church in Glasgow. On Sunday evening they will be addressed by Simon Barrow of the think-tank Ekklesia, who also helps coordinate the Anabaptist Theology Forum in Britain.