2017 Young Adult Pilgrimage to Scotland

Dr. Larry Duggins and I will lead a small group of young adults considering Christian leadership on a pilgrimage to Iona, Scotland next spring (May 25 – June 3, 2017).  As you’ll recall, Larry and I led a similar group to Taize, France in the summer of 2013. I found the experience to be a wonderful time of introspection and transformation for the young adults. Many of those pilgrims are now in seminary or are serving as lay or ordained leaders in our conference. 

 

Iona is a small island in the Hebrides of western Scotland from which Christian monks spread the Gospel across Scotland, the Borderlands and into Norway. It is a quiet and pastoral place with a large restored abbey that stands as a testimony to centuries of evangelism. The young adults who accompany Larry and me will find themselves immersed in a “thin place” – a Celtic description of a place where the veil between heaven and earth is thin.

 

The young adult pilgrims will worship twice daily in the abbey, prepare meals together in community and have structured times of reflection with us. Most importantly, they will have time to reflect, share and explore in a simple, quiet environment filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit.

 

The ideal applicant is 18-29 years old and considering a call to ordained or lay ministry. They must be attending church in the Central Texas Conference and should demonstrate leadership in the church, school and/or community. Applicants should apply online by going to http://missionalwisdom.com/about/pilgrimage/ Applications will be received through Nov. 30. The pilgrims will be selected and contacted in December.

 

The conference and the Missional Wisdom Foundation are heavily subsidizing this pilgrimage, so each participant will only have to pay $750, which covers airfare, ground transportation, lodging, breakfast and dinner.

 

If you are interested or know of someone(s) who you feel would benefit from this experience, I ask that you prayerfully consider this opportunity and that you encourage young leaders in your churches to apply.

 

In Christ,

Bishop Lowry