Launch Sevice and Walk Saturday May 15th 2010

 Rev. Malcolm Peacock used photographic images to great effect on Saturday when Praying the Keeills Week began with reflection on the importance of water and its apt symbolism for Christians.  

A sizeable group of people boarded the bus for Port Mooar and on alighting Phil Craine just gathered folks together for a prayer of blessing.

We conversed as we headed for one of the many picturesque sections of the Coastal footpath and appreciated the steady pace, a helping hand and the sight and commanding presence of Maughold Lighthouse just above us.

Refreshment was taken beside a small sheltered inlet which seemed to be the preserve of some grey seals and a pair of Mallard ducks.  

We proceeded up to Maughold, aiming for the churchyard, with its four Keeill sites.  Within one of their walls, Barbara Bregazzi and Phil directed a short service of  Scripture readings and prayers,  leaving us time for personal reflection. From this vantage point we could gaze beyond the fields and churchyard to the horizon of the Irish Sea on this beautiful day.

A few moments were spent at St Maughold’s Well, situated on the broogh of Maughold head – idyllic today, but no doubt inhospitable at other times and possibly when St Maughold landed here centuries ago.

We ended the walk where we began, back in Ramsey.  The ice cream was a bonus and Phil’s blessing in the Market Square so apt –

‘May the road rise to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

May the rains fall softly upon your fields

Until we meet again

May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.’

All Age Event at Peel Castle Sunday May 16th 2010

The sun broke out as everyone arrived at Peel Castle for the Keeills Week family event. There was an air of anticipation - what were we letting ourselves in for?! Some people were to be amazed at what they could achieve in small group activities.
After some Celtic inspired prayers, Frank Cowin reminded us of the importance of St Patrick’s Isle and how central it had been to the movements of the early Christian missionaries across the Irish sea. Everyone then followed the children who led us in and around the Old Cathedral as we sang a pilgrim song. After more immersion in Celtic prayer, explained for us by our leader, Liz Gordon, we chose our activities. There was something for everyone, whether they liked singing in a small group in canon, writing a Celtic prayer of their own or expressing their reactions to prayer in movement. The children carried out a search for white stones (which had been placed around the Cathedral) and arranged their finds in a stunning cross.
All these activities were brought together in the final worship. Picnics were then brought out and speedily consumed before the approaching chill and drizzle sent us home from what had been a hugely enjoyable and prayerful afternoon.
 

Sulbrick Keeill Monday May 17th 2010

The sun was shining as a group of about thirty five of us met in the car-park at Ard Jekyll. Our destination was Sulbrick farm where parking was limited so we shared cars and set off in convoy. The farm lies at the end of a long farm track, so is not the sort of place one might come across when touring the island by car and, as there are no public footpaths running through it, one would have to be seriously off-course to stumble upon it. So the site and the views from it were new to almost all of us. We were met and made most welcome by Mrs Skillen, who, with her husband, owns the farm. She led us across a couple of fields to the keeill, which turned out to be one of the best preserved keeills on the island, set in an idyllic , tranquil setting with far reaching views. Frank Cowin explained that despite the keeill being one of the best examples of its kind, there are many unanswered questions about it. For instance we don’t know to whom it was dedicated. We do know, however, that there was earlier activity on the site, because during archaeological excavations, several graves were discovered under the walls and floor.

While we stood around the keeill, as our early Christian ancestors would have done so many centuries ago,  Sue and Geoff Collier led us in a simple but very moving act of worship.

We remained at the keeill in the sunshine, some sitting down  and taking in the views, others examining the keeill more closely and yet others enjoying the friendship and fellowship of their fellow ‘pilgrims’.

On our return to Ard Jekyll, we made straight for the tea room where a wonderful home-cooked lunch awaited us. Our thanks go to the catering team for their warm welcome and delicious food.

We are also grateful to Frank Cowin for arranging today’s visit and to Mr and Mrs Skillen for welcoming us onto their land.

Prayer walk to Cabbyl Pherick Tuesday 18th May 2010

Yet another glorious day! There is so much colour at this time of year, so many wild flowers in bloom. By the time I reached the car-park at Glen Mooar for the start of our prayer walk, I was already marvelling at God’s handiwork.

Before we set off,  Barbara Bregazzi  explained that we would be stopping at three prayer stations on our way through Glen Mooar to Cabbyl Pherick, where there would be a short service held in the keeill.  After leading us in prayer, she invited us to walk in silence. This I found very special. Instead of lots of chatter, I became aware of the sounds of nature, around me and my eyes could feast on the beauty of my surroundings. There was space for personal reflection and yet there was also the awareness that I was in the company of my brothers and sisters in Christ. At the prayer stations, Barbara led us in reflections on the Celtic idea of Sacred Spaces, as we thought about the Gateway, the Way, and the Hill-top.When we arrived at St Patrick’s Keeill. we gathered in dappled shade for our service and it was quite awesome to realise that people would have gathered in that very same place to worship,fourteen centuries ago.

After the worship there was time to look around the site, to see the remains of a hermitage and the evidence of an enclosure and to search for the well , which is supposed to be nearby. For those energetic enough to tackle the steps, the sight of Spooyt Vane was well worth the effort and for those with the time and energy, there  was an optional extension to the walk, which gave glorious views of the surrounding countryside and ended with a walk along the beach back to the cars.

Coach Trip - 'Keeills and their Saints' Wednesday May 19th 2010

It is always a delight to find a gem in an unexpected place.  Such was our visit to Cabbal Druiaght, a keeill situated within a few metres of the busy A1. It is located near the drive leading to Glenlough Farm between Union Mills and Glenvine.

Bluebells and garlic compete for space but the walls and entrance are still visible as well as the remains of a simple altar.  Standing on its floor area Frank Cowin enlightened us as to its importance when our Celtic forebears used it for their acts of worship.

It was appropriate that Rev. Leslie Guthrie led us in the singing of a hymn, the reading of a psalm and a prayer, and reminded us that the worshipping community today are the living saints.

Travelling on we came to St Runius at Marown, the mist giving it an ethereal quality.  It is lit by candles, has been altered many times over the centuries and is now superseded by the new church in the village. However St Runius gives its name to the parish and stands on an old Keeill site.  We heard the story of this building and took part in a simple act of worship as the darkness fell.

Finally we journeyed on to Castletown and enjoyed a most satisfying supper provided by the ladies of St Mary’s on the Harbour whom we thank most warmly.

Balladoole Keeill Thursday May 20th 2010

Candlelit procession to Tynwald Hill Friday May 21st 2010

After a lavish supper at the Methodist Church Hall the assembled party walked to the Celtic Cross where prayer was led by Grace Easthope. Standing before the Cross that evening I was struck by its majesty as it stood silhouetted against a clear night sky. We moved on to the summit of Tynwald Hill, a man made mound formed from circles (and including soil from all the parishes on the Island). Peter Robinson talked about the importance to the Celtic Christians of the circle and we contemplated the encircling love of God for each of us.
In the dying evening light we made our way to the Royal Chapel of St John where Frank talked about the stained glass windows which represent the Saints to whom the churches on the Island are dedicated. Everyone was given a candle and a light was passed from one person to the next. By the flickering flames we sang and prayed and Bishop Robert spoke to us of the Word of God bringing the Light of Christ into the world. After the Blessing, candles were reluctantly extinguished and we left the peace of the chapel after a memorable evening.

Walk from Snaefell to Cornaa Saturday 22nd May

It was yet another day of glorious sunshine as we gathered at Laxey church for our opening service led by Revd Leslie Guthrie.This time of worship was a reminder to us of what our disparate group of pilgrims held in common, as we shared in prayers and hymns. Prior to the service we had purchased our tickets for the electric tram, which was awaiting us as we left the church. What a well planned and co-ordinated day this was to be!  Although I have been on the tram before, never have I benefitted from such an interesting and informative commentary as the one Frank Cowin treated us to as we journeyed to the summit of Snaefell. He pointed out so much of historical interest in the buildings and the landscape. On reaching the terminus, there was time for coffee and cake before we made our way to the summit, where Revd Dee Dee Haines formed us into a circle and led us in a time of reflection on the theme 'Holy Wandering'. It was a very special experience to be standing on the highest point of the Isle of Man in hot sunshine, reflecting on the transforming love of God. It was then time for the group to split as some returned to Laxey on the tram while others set off , led by Marinda Fargher, down to Cornaa, via Black Hut and the beautiful Cornaa valley. We stopped at Keiill Voirrey on the way and Marinda told us some of the history of the site before leading us in a short act of worship. it was a truly special day with which to end a wonderful week.