About Iona community
The Iona Community: A Christian Ecumenical Community Working for Peace and Social Justice
The Iona Community is a dispersed Christian ecumenical community that has been working tirelessly for peace and social justice since its inception. The community was founded in 1938 by George MacLeod, a Church of Scotland minister who was deeply concerned about the social and economic conditions of the people living in Glasgow's slums.
MacLeod believed that the church had become too inward-looking and needed to be more engaged with society. He wanted to create a community where people could come together to live out their faith in practical ways, working towards social justice, peace, and reconciliation.
Today, the Iona Community is made up of over 2000 members from different Christian denominations around the world. The community is based on the island of Iona off the west coast of Scotland but also has members scattered across different parts of the world.
The mission of the Iona Community is to work towards building a just and peaceful world through worship, prayer, action, and reflection. The community believes that everyone has a role to play in creating a better world regardless of their background or beliefs.
One way that they achieve this goal is by running various programs throughout the year on issues such as poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, interfaith dialogue, human rights advocacy among others. These programs are designed to empower individuals with knowledge and skills necessary for them to make positive changes within their communities.
Another way that they work towards achieving their mission is through campaigning for social justice issues such as fair trade practices or advocating for refugees' rights globally. They believe that it's essential not only to address symptoms but also root causes if we want lasting change.
The renewal of worship is another critical aspect at Iona Community; they believe worship should be inclusive rather than exclusive; therefore all are welcome regardless of race or gender identity. They have created an environment where people can come together to worship, pray, and reflect on their faith in a way that is meaningful to them.
The Iona Community has also been involved in rebuilding communities affected by conflict or natural disasters. They believe that rebuilding communities is not just about physical infrastructure but also about restoring hope and dignity to people who have lost everything.
In conclusion, the Iona Community is a Christian ecumenical community that has been working for peace and social justice for over 80 years. Their mission is to create a just and peaceful world through worship, prayer, action, and reflection. They have achieved this goal by running various programs throughout the year on issues such as poverty reduction, environmental sustainability among others. The community believes that everyone has a role to play in creating a better world regardless of their background or beliefs.