My friend Gill Henwood recently stayed on Lindisfarne (Holy Island), Northumbria. Near the ruins of the Benedictine Monastery, is a cliff top walk along what is known as The Heugh (pronounced ‘Hee-uff’). It is believed that this rock was utilized by the Celtic/Anglo-Saxon monks, as part of the early monastery, built in 635AD when King Oswald, newly reclaiming his father’s kingdom, sent to Iona for a monk to begin the work of bringing the Northumbrian people to the Christian faith. St Aidan set up his monastery on Lindisfarne which becomes an island twice a day. It was near enough to Bamburgh, the King’s castle to allow Aidan free access to the King and yet quiet enough for the young Anglo-Saxon novices to learn the Gospel of Jesus, the prayers, the sacramental life and the lessons of mission.
Because Lindisfarne becomes an Island twice a day, it can welcome tourists and visitors but also it can flow into silence. Both purposes are valid but it is good that sometimes, being still allows the voice of God to enter our hearts, where we are converted by Love for a life of love.

We are invited to Sit Awhile and allow the multi-faceted island re-create us from within.
Gill’s poem below takes its inspiration from this.

Sit Awhile

A place to sit awhile
to listen…

sea splashing as the tide retreats
oystercatchers piping as they fly on the wind
swans overhead in their pair…

to see…
seal heads bob up in the surf
cormorant fishing in the seaweed
ships on the horizon far off
the low silhouette of the Farne Islands.

But nobody here
‘til the causeway opens
and the coaches arrive.

I feel…
wind ruffling my hair
the breeze brushing my cheek
a Presence balming my soul
the Spirit enlivening all.

Lastly …
the gannets skimming the waves.
Stunningly beautiful.

Holy Island,
indeed.

Gill Henwood
October 2023

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