Stillness after the rough and very rough.
Peace, calm, safe, gratitude. Senses heightened, emotions high, presence.
A moment of tranquility in the chancel of St.Mary's next to the ancient abbey of St.Hilda where sanctuary was offered 1300 years ago and Caedmon wrote his worship songs. Feels so different being in such a place of intimacy with the Lord on a Sunday when I'd normally be leading worship. There's a new depth of soul and humanity that being tossed about for 180 miles at sea has brought to my desire, my need, to be sitting here in prayer. Beauty of the treacherous sea, beauty of this sanctuary (picture). I know faith is all in the heart, but I can now glimpse a bit more of the place of sanctuary. Perhaps that's what 40 days in the Bible is about? Where is our sanctuary?
Here, at the first port of call on the Celtic Fringe of the UK, I feel the value of the abbey founded by Hilda and vividly brought to life in Melvyn Bragg's marvel 'Credo'. The first living history I read, cataloging the life of the north in the dark ages, the gospel of hope brought by the Celtic saints, the harsh life of land and sea, survival; coming to the actual sanctuary on this site: peace.
There feels like pain here too, a nostalgia for what might have been if the Synod of Whitby in 664 had been been different and did not lead to the demise of the Celtic church. History paints it as trusting humility conceding to the power of Christendom after Augustine of Canterbury guided the English in to the flock of Rome. Wistful thinking of what might have been of a church closer to nature and humanity, less powerful, more in touch. But who can judge? It does not stop us striving for those attributes in our church today. Maybe the celtic Christians could fire us up to be servants of all. Before I'm in danger of romanticising them too much... Oh! but then that's what happened at Whitby!
A return now to the sanctuary, the peace, the gratitude: the Lord.
This Sunday we have the whole day to rest and recover in port; to sample one of the top 10 voyage gastronmic fish and chip shops!
Whitby is amazing - thinking of Barbara & Lawrence who sponsored the port for Climate Justice. Arriving in the rollers last night, the harbour was an immediate sanctuary and emotional and adrenalin release. Slept for the first time in 3 days to arise at 0930 just in time to be ready to slip off Fish Quay and pass through the swing bridge in to the marina with it's lovely facilities, a new building styled as an upside down boat. So I showered, put on normal clothes (can't describe how good that felt) and hiked up the hill to the abbey.
Although pretty as a port town with much to explore, it's Jet jewellery and the Goth interest with Bram Stoker (I don't mind the odd Dracula story myself!), Whitby for me wil remain great because of the real Yokshire welcome to its sanctuary. From the reassurance of the voice of the Harbour Watch when I hailed them on channel 11, to the Watch keeper guiding us to the Fish Quay with his torch and catching the bow line as I tossed it up 10m on to the quay, climbing the ladder and the relief of shaking his hand and his lovely Yorkshire welcome having made it in in one piece; to the enthusiastic waving of the crowds and day trippers as we motored through the swing bridge (bridge pictured with Peter the skipper at helm) - Whitby for me heralds Welcome (well done Yorkshire).
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