Praying hands

Jo Penn August 28, 2022 0 1

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Psalm 96: 6 (NRSVA)

6 Honour and majesty are before him;
    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

On Sundays, all those on-site gather in Scargill’s Chapel, streaming up the curved stone steps, tramping and chatting their own psalm of ascent, accompanied by the three note call from the lift carrying precious human cargo, to the landing entrance hall.

Resident Community, guests and volunteers come as they are, dressed in Kitchen Whites, Sunday best, scruffy jeans. Drawn from around the world as a visible sign of the wideness of the Kingdom of God. People from different walks of life, different ages and stages of life, and all of us fragile.

The wooden beamed Chapel roof is shaped like praying hands that hold us and direct us to look up to heaven. The space is lit by two distinctive triangular walls of windows which connect us to the wildness of the landscape. The stone, trees, grass and sky are mirrored in the colours of the furnishings.

We gather to share song and silence, word and prayer, bread and wine; to be reminded that we are members of Christ’s body and that our life together makes Christ visible to the world.

All are welcome to the table of the celebratory communion meal, as at the dining room tables where we shared breakfast together this morning and will enjoy the roast dinner later on.   

After a generous meal, our visitors are sent out from the dining room with a blessing, ‘May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you wherever he may send you…’ words from the Northumbria Community morning prayer. Those blessed scatter back to homes around the country, travelling from the small Yorkshire Dales village with shared stories and laughter, and often a sense of hope rekindled, from their stay. The resident Community are released from their hospitality tasks, to rest or walk, contact friends or family, and relax with one another.

PRAYER:

Risen Jesus,

you called Mary by name in the garden on that first day of the week, and showed:

the dawn of a new creation

that Love had conquered death.

You call us by name

We are part of your new creation

Help us live in your Love.