LAST  autumn I said, ‘I think we’re heading for a time of stability.’ What a ridiculous thing to say! Life within the Scargill Community is always changing.

One of the new words I’ve learned is ‘liminal’, that threshold space moving from one room into another. Ed Catmul from Pixar writes, ‘There is a sweet spot between the known and unknown where originality happens; the key is being able to linger there without panicking.’ Most of us are always living in a liminal space but it can be the place of creativity and growth.

The Christian faith teaches us that Jesus Christ leads us into new adventures, we only need to read the Gospels to see that Jesus’ friends were always surprised and often bewildered as they followed him.

This year many of us are experiencing change, and some of it makes us fearful but it is also to be embraced.

Richard Rohr, who is a Franciscan Friar, writes, ‘Liminal space is an inner state and sometimes an outer situation where we can begin to think and act in new ways. .. We usually enter liminal space when our former way of being is challenged or changed…It is a graced time, but often does not feel “graced” in any way.’ I find Richard’s reflection helpful – it is a graced time but doesn’t always feel it.

Change is an opportunity for growth and yes, it does make us feel vulnerable and not always in control. We have a wonderful piece of liturgy here at Scargill, with which we often finish our services: ‘to fly on fragile wings, courageous and a little scared’ with the response ‘Jesus lead on.’

Following Jesus will always lead us into adventure but we remember his words, ‘ I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28:20b.

Rev Canon Phil Stone,

Director of Scargill Community, Kettlewell