July 1, 2025 // by Missy Greene
St. Stephen’s Church has made several pilgrimages to the small, sacred island of Iona, Scotland over the years. We were pleased to return again this year with a group of 19 pilgrims, comprised of parishioners and a few friends, who embarked on this journey in June.
Iona has been spiritually significant since 563 AD when St. Columba founded a monastery, attracting pilgrims seeking divine connection and renewal. Known as a “thin place,” it is believed to be where heaven and earth feel closely intertwined.
During our time on the island, we engaged in worship, explored Iona’s rich natural beauty, reflected on our faith, and
connected deeply with the Celtic spiritual tradition. The landscape itself seems to invite contemplation with its sandy and rocky beaches, boggy wetlands, windswept fields dotted with sheep and cows, rugged hills, and even an 18-hole golf course. In such surroundings, it’s easy to feel God’s presence all around. Our pilgrimage to Iona was a time of spiritual nourishment, community, and peace —a treasured continuation of a long-standing tradition at St. Stephen’s.
