Dear Friends, This weekend at Scargill we are having a ‘Renew, Refresh, Restore’ event focused on Candlemas (the presentation of Christ in the Temple) and it is wonderful to welcome many guests who have never been to Scargill before. It is a joy to see how our gracious God beautifully moves in people’s lives. The Scargill adventure continues. We are now beginning to plan for Phase 8 of the Masterplan. Our buildings are always about making a guest experience beautiful and enriching. Please do read this ‘Building a future letter’ which is an invitation to join this adventure through an Appeal we will be running from Easter to Pentecost. We also invite you to pray for us for new Community members to join. This continues to be an ongoing challenge, with a number of key people leaving late Spring. Here is a link to the current vacancies. We are also seeking a new Chaplain for which the closing date for applications is 17th February. It may be that you know someone that is right for joining this community – if that is the case then prayerfully let them know about these opportunities. Here is Di’s latest reflection on our recent visit to the Van Gogh exhibition in London. Enjoy! Diane writes: |
A couple of weeks ago Phil and I nipped down to London, mainly to see the Van Gogh Exhibition and to catch up with a couple of old friends – which we did. The exhibition was entitled ‘Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers’ and we were encouraged to ‘be blown away by Van Gogh’s most spectacular paintings in our once-in-a-century exhibition. Walk with a pair of lovers beneath a starry night. Look up at swirling clouds and cypress trees swaying in the wind. Stay a little while in Van Gogh’s favourite park, the ‘Poet’s Garden’, or under a shady tree in Saint-Rémy.’ I’m not convinced it was such an idyllic visit BUT amidst the large number of other viewers, all of which were dawdling and dancing around each other, lingering as long as possible to view the next painting. It was certainly stunning; it was certainly amazing and it was at times emotional – emotion being uncovered as we read the pamphlets we were given. In our own time, at our own pace, we could read and reread the blurb for each painting. On returning home from the exhibition, I realised that without the written information I would have missed so much of what the exhibition was offering and I certainly wouldn’t have seen the poetry and love. It also rather worryingly dawned on me that, unless I am writing these reflections or the occasional talks, when I am reading the Bible I fear I often miss the wisdom, the insight offered, a deeper understanding because I rush through the verses – there is always much to do!! |

Images though speak volumes and I recalled a beautiful painting by Jim Norton. Jim Norton is a great friend of ours and Scargill, he frequently visits nearly always bringing a few new paintings to display in the Dining Room. Recently he brought this one, quite simple but also powerful, which I hope will be displayed outside the chapel, on the landing. I asked him about this and discovered that many years ago Jim saw a chained Bible under a plain glass window in Barnsley. It made a profound impression which stayed with him. Jim wanted to capture ‘the simplicity of the light through a window onto the Bible’ and here we have a red Bible sitting on a lace cloth with light streaming through a village Church window, Jim writes, ‘It’s a simple demonstration of the eternal power of God through the written word… a simple but profound message, and to me the painting embodies that through the power of light.’
I also love the lace, it adds a sense of caring, reverence and love drawing us in. The addition of a candle waiting to be relit reminds me that the Bible can rekindle my faith and with the light pouring in through the windows I am reminded of Jesus’ promise that those who follow Him will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life (John 8:12).
Our visit to London has encouraged me to look and look again at the scriptures, to learn to dawdle and linger with the words as long as possible, because God’s word is full of treasures for each of us, now, today, for this very moment and every moment.
In Psalm 119 we read. ‘Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word’ Yes Lord! Amen
With love and prayers from Phil, Di and the Scargill Community as we begin this new year.