Just now, I am putting most of my writing efforts into the companion blog to The Cross and The Cosmos as the Climerick (Climate Limerick) momentum builds up. Events took a helpful turn at the end of our stay on The Holy Island of Lindisfarne when the Vicar, Canon Sarah Hills agreed to put up a small selection of Climericks which have particular resonance on the Island.
Lindisfarne is off the Northumbrian coast, separated from the mainland at High Tide but accessible via a causeway for several hours at a time. It was the island where Aidan, a monk from the Iona mission station established a monastery in the seventh century with the permission of King Oswald of Northumbria. Oswald’s court was at Bamburgh which was visible from Lindisfarne and church and earthly kingdom worked well together.
Nearer the end of the seventh century, Cuthbert became Prior of the monastery and quickly established a reputation for gentleness, cheerfulness and the power of healing. He was a popular Prior and missionary but yearned to be a hermit so he could build a stronger relationship with God.
In the South West corner of Lindisfarne there was and still is a small islet to where Cuthbert retreated, to exercise his calling to be a hermit. Although this small islet did not give Cuthbert the solitude he longed for, so he retreated further to the island of Inner Farne, the islet still bears his name and can still be walked to. It is still today (Spring 2024) the final calling point for many pilgrims and other visitors who may have walked to Lindisfarne from various start points such as Melrose ,some 45 miles or 70 kilometres away and which features strongly in the story of St Aidan.
The picture below is of St Cuthbert’s Islet off the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. It was taken by Pam, my wife in a shot that will no longer be possible in 20years time?...10 years?...7years?...5years? or with icebergs and glaciers all melting at unprecedented rates, could it even be 3 years time?
The Climerick below the picture is being displayed in St Mary’s Church, Lindisfarne - its first public outing - so do please look for it if you’re visiting the island soon
On an Island, you get to know well
the dangers of surges and swells:
so if you love this place,
help make those in power face
we need climate action pell-mell!
