"Urban Iona" is a modern Celtic tale of healing and vision during and after the author's pilgrimage to lona and Ireland. Upon his return, a dream takes flesh for his church as an urban Celtic monastery, a gathering of pilgrims open to the world and serving those most in need. This is a powerful account of the author's search for his family's story, and the meaning and inspiration that story brought to his life and his ministry. Chronicled here is the author's pilgrimage to Ireland - not as a travelogue but as deep, moving, often humorous reflection on the meaning of what he discovered there. More important, the book chronicles the author's efforts to put into action the unique brand of Celtic spirituality he took away from his pilgrimage, in the form of Brigid's Table, a ministry to prostitutes and other marginalized people in the inner city of Portland, Oregon. Also included are suggestions for applying this spirituality in other parishes, other places, and other lives.
Urban Iona: Celtic Hospitality in the City
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle.
Learn more
| |||||||||||||||
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Kurt Neilson is an Episcopal priest and a former Roman Catholic monk of the Claretian missionary order. He is rector of an inner-city parish in Portland, Oregon.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Born to an Irish-American mother and a part-Tlingit father, when Eisenhower was in the White House and before the Beatles hit these shores. Formed in an East Coast Irish Catholicism that might still exist but I haven't heard rumor of it lately. The last of six brothers, I sallied forth with a load of chutzpah, hope, and guilt into urban Chicago, Mindanao in the southern Philippines, and love with a fiery woman. Together we have three fine children who do many things better than I. I am incurably attached to classical Christianity and remain fascinated by things Celtic, monastic, mystic, and all that concerns story and storytellers. I like questions better than answers, like to hang with dreamers and visionaries, enjoy really good beer and really good talk. I try to keep body and soul together with an elusive sense of balance, martial arts, and people who care enough to tell me when I am too full of myself. I wrote Urban Iona only when I finally felt I had something significant to say. I hope I will find something else to say before I am done, but meanwhile like hearing the dreams, visions, and tales of others. It's all good bread for the journey.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
REALISTIC, HUMOROUS AND INSPIRATIONAL,
By
This review is from: Urban Iona: Celtic Hospitality in the City (Paperback)
This book is a "winner"! Fr. Kurt Neilson is the Rector of the Episcopal Church I attend in Portland, OR. As a member of his congregation, I've been priveleged to hear magic in his 'sermons' that make deep, lasting impressions in his parishinors hearts and leave us spell-bound. By reading "URBAN IONA", I've discovered that Father Kurt, in addition to having a 'verbal' talent for 'story-telling' with the 'gift of the gab', is also an accomplished author. I highly recommend it to people of all faiths, and readers who have an interest in Celtic History of Religions and Mythology. IT'S A GOOD READ!Urban Iona: Celtic Hospitality in the CityUrban Iona: Celtic Hospitality in the City
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
DIGEST THIS BOOK - DON'T DEVOUR IT,
By
This review is from: Urban Iona: Celtic Hospitality in the City (Paperback)
Kurt Neilson is my one younger brother. We are from a family of six sons. I thought I knew all there was to know about him, until I read Urban Iona. I was privileged to spend a weekend with him in Ireland during his pilgrammage and learned so much from and about him there. I learned more reading his book. On one level it is the search for part of our heritage, but more importantly it chronicles the process by which he and the members of his parish took this experience and applied it in a personal and community way. There are many sound bites (my copy is filled with "yellow stickees" marking the pages) but its strength lies in the coherent message of applied, inclusive Christianity being lived by him, his family and his parish family. I am so proud of him for having the courage to bare his soul in such a public way.And the members of Saints Peter and Paul have done their namesakes proud. When we hear the phrase "team work" most of us picture a long pass in a stadium filled with people. Perhaps, after reading Urban Iona, we will picture the good people of Saints Peter and Paul and those from neighboring parishes who have joined them. Reference the mobile dental lab. Applied Christianity with a capital "C". This is a book to be read and digested, not devoured. There is a message for us all here. Take the time to listen to it, and as I have done, listen again. You will be amazed at how loud the silence can be. It is inspirational in a very, very personal way. I believe there is more to come from Father/brother Kurt. I, for one, can't wait.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Inspiring Journey,
By Aaron Brown (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Urban Iona: Celtic Hospitality in the City (Paperback)
This was a very enjoyable book for me on several levels. First off, I feel fortunate to know the author. I have known him to be a wonderful family man, kind and spiritual. But what was fun for me was that I learned through his story-telling that he has a "spit-fire" nature as well.Secondly, being of Irish decent, I too have a desire to visit Ireland. However, I did not grow up with such strong emotional tales of family history. Through Kurt's stories I felt transported along with him back to a place I hope to one day venture as well. There were times that I felt as if I were right there sitting next to him, taking in the beauty of the land and the mysteries of history. Finally, through his book I learned more about his efforts along with others in his church to help our community. I am reminded through their efforts that there are many ways in which we can and should help. Kurt, Thank you for sharing your pilgrimage through "Urban Iona"
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
