PATHWAYS            

Many of those who visit and live in the Yorkshire Dales are very familiar with pathways. There must be thousands of them criss-crossing this wonderful part of the world. Some are very testing and occasionally dangerous, others involve gentle, meandering strolls across more or less level ground. There are some walks that include both of these extremes and just about everything in between. They provide a vivid metaphor for the The Scargill Pathway of Life.           

Being a member of community will sometimes be a pleasant, unchallenging stroll over easy terrain. It might be enjoyable to walk with a friend, but not really essential. At other times the path will become narrow and perilous. There might be a sheer drop on one side, particularly frightening if the ground is uneven and slippery. At these times it will be important for everyone to stay together and watch out for those who are tiring or losing their nerve and falling behind. Hopefully there will be some kind of reward from successfully grappling with the challenge of these difficult times, and perhaps a more profound pleasure taken in finally reaching a section of the route that allows relaxation.            

Leaders will be created, help will be received and given, bonds will be forged, individuality will be celebrated, the need for interdependency and mutual respect will be learned. For those who are committed to the pathway each section will be different, and the whole journey is likely to be a truly rich experience.           

THE SCARGILL PATHWAY OF LIFE            

The Scargill pathway of life is not new. In one sense, amazingly, it was laid down before time began. We human beings learned about it two thousand years ago when Jesus walked the earth. Not long before his death he told his friends that he must soon go away to prepare a place for them.            

“You know the way to the place where I’m going,” he said.           

Puzzled as ever, the disciple named Thomas worriedly replied, “Lord, we don’t even know where you’re going. How can we possibly know the way?”           

Jesus answered, “I am the way - and the truth and the life.”           

If Jesus himself really is the pathway to heaven and happiness we need to look carefully at the way in which he lived his life. The promises we make to God, the Scargill Community and, equally importantly, to ourselves, will be founded on the things that we discover.

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