Othona: Chapel by Night
Darkness had laid its hand on the Saxon Shore
as nine of us gathered in those four bare
walls,
sole remnants of a larger enterprise of
Cedd.
Small pools of candlelight gave a shadowy
glimpse
of his seventh century community at
worship;
while outside in the inky night, the same
stars glistened overhead
as wouldhave guided him fourteen centuries
ago.
The Great Bear pointing to Arcturus and The
Pole,
The Milky Way in its sweeping, dazzling
bow.
The light of a billion, billion suns,
having travelled further
than most human minds can conceive:
yet they, the stars and we share
a place in the creation
of a God whom the Chapel’s pilgrims and
tourists may perceive
shows his love throughout this startling
universe
and invites us, with Cedd and his flock, to belief.
Another poem celebrating the wonder of the night sky can be found at The Glorious Stars of Night’s Dark Sky
Original Introductory Notes
I've just returned from a short stay in the Othona Community (Link below), planning to refine some of the work-in-progress for this blog. The 7th Century Chapel of St Cedd adjacent to the community is just about to have its roof repaired - at a cost of £75,000. Scaffolding was due to be erected but on the first night of my stay a small group of guests and core community members were able to gather in the Chapel for after-supper worship by candlelight. It is near-impossible to distil the atmosphere of such an occasion but the following poem emerged, delaying the other writing I had planned to do, but too emotive to set on one side for another day.
Picture at top of post
Another poem celebrating the wonder of the night sky can be found at The Glorious Stars of Night’s Dark Sky
Original Introductory Notes
I've just returned from a short stay in the Othona Community (Link below), planning to refine some of the work-in-progress for this blog. The 7th Century Chapel of St Cedd adjacent to the community is just about to have its roof repaired - at a cost of £75,000. Scaffolding was due to be erected but on the first night of my stay a small group of guests and core community members were able to gather in the Chapel for after-supper worship by candlelight. It is near-impossible to distil the atmosphere of such an occasion but the following poem emerged, delaying the other writing I had planned to do, but too emotive to set on one side for another day.
Picture at top of post
The interior of the 7th Century chapel built by St Cedd as part of a monastic community utilising stone and other building material from the earlier Roman Fort called Othona. Set into C20th altar are three stones In the centre from Iona, on the left from Lindisfarne and on the right from Lastingham representing the amazing sweep of Celtic Christianity from Iona in the North West of the British Isles to Bradwell/ Othona in the South East, thus celebrating the mission activity of St Columba (Iona); St Aidan (Lindisfarne) and St Cedd (Lastingham and Othona).
You can find the link for The Othona Community which offers hospitality all the year round HERE
You can also find another poem about the Chapel on a windy day (not unusual on the Essex Marshes!) HERE
And HERE you will find a poem of another late evening celebration in a similar chapel on the Island of Iona.
And other poems, meditations and songs with a SCIENCE & FAITH theme can be accessed HERE
You can also find another poem about the Chapel on a windy day (not unusual on the Essex Marshes!) HERE
And HERE you will find a poem of another late evening celebration in a similar chapel on the Island of Iona.
And other poems, meditations and songs with a SCIENCE & FAITH theme can be accessed HERE
