Rev’d David Coleman is eager to get to know local congregations’ initiatives, and to hear of your trials and joys, and to lead or share leadership of worship, when appropriate, taking note of your own tradition.
Encouraging the committed core of congregations is also a high priority. David is an experienced, ordained minister in the United Reformed Church, a mainstream Christian church in the UK, and is also a Member of the Iona Community, having led programmed weeks at the Abbey.
Invite David to visit you by getting in touch through our staff page here
In preaching and in presentations, David makes exciting use of multimedia, and is well-equipped to work in very varied venues, not just on Sundays, or Sunday mornings. Extensive reflective video resources: Index HERE . And shorter, 'stilling videos' [2 mins in a natural setting, no words] HERE.
A visit from the chaplain is an opportunity to celebrate what it means to be an Eco-Congregation. Continue reading to follow his thoughts and reflections:
Chaplain's Blog
A talk at Mass, following Corpus Christi
Hymn Poem for St Columba’s Day [9th June]
David J. M Coleman . Tune – of course – St Columba, trad.
I’ve come to see the many interactions of significant saints with fellow creatures as far more than a trivial or decorative detail in their ‘lives’ as transmitted to us, but rather a vital and authentic affirmation of God at work in these fellow humans as God’s creatures amongst creatures. It might be worth looking into the stories of Mungo/Kentigern, Cuthbert, Brigid amongst others.
This hymn-poem is written to celebrate the Feast of St Columba [June 9th ] : verse 1 references his blessing for the terrifying sea-monster/whale, his personal and honoured welcome for the exhausted migrating crane, and his appreciation of the mourning sadness of the monastery’s cart-horse who was aware that Columba was reaching the end of his life.
Verse 2 recalls his Jacob-like involvement with angels as the connective tissue of sky ands soil/Heaven and Earth: together one unified Creation, and reminds us that the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father is a prayer for the whole of our fragile, threatened world.
And although Columba did seek times of quiet and retreat, he was ready speak and sing out powerfully, ‘armed’ with the Psalms and spiritual song which were his non-violent arsenal for justice and transformation. The discernment of when to intervene boldly in the turmoil of /nature’ , and when to leave well alone is part of our discipleship. All of which can inspire us in our partnership and interaction with our fellow-stakeholders in God’s Rainbow Covenant with ‘All Flesh’, as followers of Christ, the Word become Flesh.
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1) To bless God’s creatures whom we fear;
to welcome those in need;
to honour care our kind receive
is following Christ indeed.
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2) As Heaven and Earth are woven tight
by angels’ warp and weft;
we pray each day that sky and soil:
be blessed and not bereft
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3) Christ spoke as sternly to the waves
as to our chosen wrong;
to those who speak out: loud and just
Christ’s blessing shall belong
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4) So saints who cherished and who learned
from fellow creatures’ care
shall guide commitment, prayer and deed
and bless the home we share.
Continue reading →Pentecost : In the same breath…
Epistle to the trade fair
Sermon Iona Abbey
