Kathy Galloway, fondly remembered

I have long lasting ties with Scotland’s Iona Community. During the 1990s while ministering at Sooke on Vancouver Island I discovered their music and liturgies. Initially created by John Bell, Graham Maule, and the Wild Goose Worship Group the liturgies were scripturally based, socially relevant, and justice-centred. The music was very well crafted, easy to manage, and inspiring.

With kids in tow, my spouse, Kathie, and I, visited the community in 2004 staying at a croft guest house at the north end of the historic island. We visited the abbey and other sites, sharing in worship, also hunting for inspirational literature in the community shop. We always planned to return, possibly as volunteers. Maybe one day . . . but not right now.

I was saddened to read of the death of Kathy Galloway, a dynamic creator of liturgy and poetry. The note from the community is below. Suffice it to say that every once in a while, in the church, its communities, and the world, a great leader emerges. She is such a person, for whom I give many thanks. Here is the community announcement:

It is with so much sorrow that we share news that Kathy Galloway, former Leader of the Iona Community, has died. She had been facing a very recent cancer diagnosis, complicated by sepsis.

We grieve with her loved ones the passing of their mother, sister, grandmother, friend. And we mourn with the world the loss of a truly prophetic voice of faith for justice, peace and the radically urgent transformation of unjust structures. 

Kathy was an inspiration, companion and role model not only for the wider world, but also of course for so many of us in the Iona Community. She influenced thousands of people with her compassion, radical voice for justice, wise words and powerful leadership.

She was co-Warden of Iona Abbey in the 1980s and editor of the Coracle magazine in the 1990s. In 2001, Kathy was the first woman to be elected as Leader of the Iona Community, serving in that role until 2009 and then again in the 2010s.

Her poetry and prose writing, widely shared, speaks eloquently of the pain, passion and purpose of life on God’s good yet oh so fragile Earth. Even from her hospital bed, Kathy remained fully engaged in the launch of PalCafe in Glasgow to support the people of Palestine. Her voice and her actions for justice will live on. 

Kathy’s death will be mourned by many around the globe including dear friends in the Church of Scotland, Christian Aid and Church Action on Poverty.  For her life and her witness we give thanks to God as we now bless her on her last journey. 

and the Great Spirit who loves us
and has given us our true names
whispers them in the darkness,
when we are alone
when we are weary
when we are despairing,
and we are re-membered
in the heart of God.
—The Dream of learning our true name

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