This 100 year old building was built to house the library of Prime Minister William Gladstone, and what a library it is! When he was in his 80's, he wondered what would happen to his collection of 33,000 books, with 40% of them on theology. He hadn't read them all, just 22,000 of them. What a sluggard!
He had a structure built here in Hawarden (pronounced Haah'-den) in northeast Wales and called it Tin Tabernacle. Upon his death, it was replaced by this large stone edifice. Check it out on www.st-deiniols.com
This course on Celtic Spirituality is led by Ian Bradley, retired professor from the University of St. Andrews--and also author of the Penguin edition of Gilbert and Sullivan! He promises to share with us "the truth and nonsense about Celtic Christianity." Peter Francis, Warden of the library, suggests that people look into Celtic spirituality in order to find their roots to be something other than WASP. He further suggests that we find what we look for, much as we find the Jesus we look for. I might learn as much about myself as I learn about Celtic ways.
(As I write, I am listening to change ringing of the bells at the nearby parish. It seems quaint--and thoroughly grounding.)
Went to Archway and while there picked up Connections and read about your trip and blog. I'm looking forward to reading it and hope you share your experiences in person once you return.
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