Dear Friends,
We wish you a joyful and peaceful Christmas, through the celebration of Immanuel with us.
Thank you so much for all your love and support this year, it means a great deal to us.
Tomorrow, the residential Community disperse for their Christmas break, and will return ready to welcome guests for the New Year House Party which begins on Sunday 29th December. Our next livestreamed Sanctuary service will be on Wednesday 1st January from 4:30pm.
With love and prayers from Phil, Di and the whole Scargill Community.
Here’s is Di’s latest reflection:
Last weekend, I was visiting All Souls Church in Leeds and for most of the morning I found myself comfortably sitting in front of this altar table.
I was repeatedly re-drawn to its gentle depiction of the nativity story. It was the curve of cloths uniting the Magi with Mary, then Jesus and finally Joseph which held my focus. In this world of war and conflict, fear and pain, Jesus came in all simplicity to save and to serve.
Here I also saw humbleness and respect flow between the Magi and the Holy family, perhaps asking the same of us but also reminding me that Jesus came to bring peace and healing.
After a while I became aware that the curve continues with the candlesticks, forming perhaps a cup or a chalice reminding me that this is also the place to come before God and receive both bread and wine. A place where we can commune with God and God with us. A place where forgiveness is given, and love is offered.
I pray that you will have, allow yourself, the time to stop and rest, just for a few moments and sit before this altar table.
I wish you all a God-filled Christmas.