In this third edition of the second series of The Scargill Podcast, host Jo Penn is joined by Phil and Diane Stone, community leaders, to explore the rich relationship between life, faith, and visual art.

Drawing on their fifteen years of leadership at Scargill, Phil and Diane reflect on how paintings, sculpture, landscape, and everyday creativity can open the heart to God in ways that go beyond words.  Through personal stories — ranging from reflections on Rembrandt’s Return of the Prodigal Son to unexpected images of trees, textiles, mosaics, and even “skipping in the gutter” — they show how art invites wonder, reflection, and deeper engagement with the Gospel.

The conversation also highlights Scargill’s vision of quality, beauty, and simplicity, the encouragement of individual gifts within community life, and the belief that art can be found everywhere if we learn to “look up and look out”.  This edition offers a warm, thoughtful invitation to see faith anew through the lens of visual art.

And we meet community member Sally, when Phil talks with her in the Marsh Lounge about the way she contributes to life at Scargill with visual art through gifts and talents brought to community from her previous career.

Phil and Diane’s consistent vision of using visual arts allows the listener to think about the sacramental impact of art in their own life.

Find out more about life in community at ⁠www.scargillmovement.org⁠

Recorded on location at Scargill House, North Yorkshire. Associate Producer for Scargill Movement is Shaun Lambert.  Produced by Gary Dell.  A Wiseword Radio production.

In this edition of the Scargill Podcast, Shaun Lambert is joined by Phil Stone, community leader and Margi Walker, part of the extended community.  Our conversation turns to lament – a vital yet often neglected part of Christian faith.  The conversation explores how lament gives permission to be honest about grief, anger, and loss before God.

Drawing on personal experience and the Psalms, the edition reflects on how safe, listening communities can help people remove their 'masks', express deep pain, and begin a healing journey.  From Psalm 42’s longing to Psalm 88’s darkness, the discussion highlights how scripture validates the full range of human emotion.

We also consider lament in the context of prayer ministry,the impact of COVID, and a creative art installation at Scargill designed to help people face grief and move toward hope. Above all, it presents lament as a courageous, faithful practice - and a path toward compassion, healing, and deeper connection with God and one another.

And we go into the Walled Garden and meet up with ‘working friend’ Ivan, to hear more about the vision and practicalities behind the installation of the Lament Sculpture.

In a world where there is so much unexpressed grief, this edition gives permission to lament in full.

Find out more about life in community at www.scargillmovement.org

Recorded on location at Scargill House, North Yorkshire.  Associate Producer for Scargill Movement is Shaun Lambert. Produced by Gary Dell.  A Wiseword Radio production.

What does it really mean to care for creation as part of Christian discipleship?

In the first edition of Series 2 of The Scargill Podcast, Martha Tredwell is joined by Phil Stone, community leader, and John Richards, head of the estate team, to explore why care for creation sits at the heart of life at Scargill.  Drawing on Scripture, lived experience, and the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales, they reflect on joy, responsibility, and the long‑term commitment of stewarding land that ultimately belongs to God.

From favourite places on the estate to practical sustainability projects — including wildlife conservation, composting, renewable energy, and partnerships with A Rocha — this edition offers an honest and hopeful conversation about faith,community, and living gently with the natural world.

We also hear from Jim, one of Scargill’s many ‘working friends’, about how he serves with the estate team, and how he views this work in connection with his responsibilities as a Christian.

Whether you love the outdoors or are simply curious about how faith and environmental care connect, this podcast invites you to slow down, listen, and be inspired.

Find out more about life in community at www.scargillmovement.org

Recorded on location at Scargill House, North Yorkshire.  Associate Producer for Scargill Movement is Shaun Lambert.  Produced by Gary Dell.  A Wiseword Radio production.

Scargill is intentionally diverse as a community - multi-ethnic, different ages demographically, and inter-denominational in its approach.  The central emphasis on "lives shared, lives transformed – with Jesus at the centre" enables the community to hold a range of theological views without falling out.  In a world where separating out from those we disagree with is common, Scargill’s experience is a helpful alternative.

The keystone that holds this architecture of diversity together is the principle that we treat each other as if the other person was Christ.  This enables theological differences to be held in dialogue not in adversarial debate.  Mike Leigh talks with Director Phil Stone about tensions that do arrive, with humour and wisdom, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and grace in our relationships.  That welcoming hospitality is extended to guests.

Phil also talks with recent community member Alison Leigh to find out more about how the joys and challenges of diversity can be beneficial to life in community.

Find out more about life in community at ⁠⁠www.scargillmovement.org⁠⁠

Recorded on location at Scargill House, North Yorkshire. Associate Producer for Scargill Movement is Shaun Lambert.  Produced by Gary Dell.  A Wiseword Radio production.

Part of the community wisdom at Scargill is "relationships before task", which includes prayer, and the relationship with God.  The community prays three times a day - morning prayer, midday and evening prayers.  With the prayers led by different members of community there is a richness of expression; and guests and friends of Scargill benefit from the rhythm of prayer the community has established.  

Find out more with Rosy Fairhurst in conversation with Director Phil Stone and community member Shelagh Stacey about the history and development of Scargill’s rhythm of prayer.  Prayer at Scargill is the glue that holds community life together and has helped revitalise many people’s prayer lives.

Phil also talks with Danai, a community member from South Africa, and finds out more about how her experiences of prayer at her home church were different to those at Scargill and what she’s learned about prayer since becoming part of the community.

Find out more about life in community at ⁠⁠www.scargillmovement.org⁠⁠

Recorded on location at Scargill House, North Yorkshire. Associate Producer for Scargill Movement is Shaun Lambert.  Produced by Gary Dell.  A Wiseword Radio production.

We live in a world where chronic widespread anxiety in our culture can lead to an over-serious approach to life, where we miss the ordinary everyday moments of joy and pleasure. One of the distinctives of the Scargill Movement is the permission to be playful, to laugh often and the cultivation of joy.

In this relaxed and happy – and occasionally hilarious - fourth edition of The Scargill Podcast, Director Phil Stone is in conversation with Shaun Lambert, Honorary Mindfulness Chaplain to the community, about this emphasis on Laughter, Playfulness & Joy which is part of the DNA at Scargill.

Phil explains why playfulness is part of the kingdom and why he gives it permission to flourish on community.  Phil also talks with Ruth Meyer, who leads the kitchen team at Scargill, to find out how that team bring laughter and joy to their role and in how they serve the visitors to community.

Find out more about life in community at ⁠www.scargillmovement.org⁠

Recorded on location at Scargill House, North Yorkshire. Associate Producer for Scargill Movement is Shaun Lambert. Produced by Gary Dell.   A Wiseword Radio production.

Every Christian community has a common demanding task, a reason for being other than being a community. Scargill as a retreat centre offers the hospitality of God to its guests.

In this third edition of The Scargill Podcast community member and leader Jo Penn talks with Phil Stone (Director) and Ruth Meyer (Kitchen Team Leader) about this hospitality. The youngest community member, Martha Tredwell, is also asked about what hospitality at Scargill means to her.

Scargill is a home and not a hotel, and there are no staff – and so guests are invited to ‘be at home’ with the community, and this is both sacrificial and joyful. The biblical foundations and transformative nature of this hospitality offered in many ways is explored in conversation.

Find out more about life in community at www.scargillmovement.org

Recorded on location at Scargill House, North Yorkshire. Associate Producer for Scargill Movement is Shaun Lambert. Produced by Gary Dell. A Wiseword Radio production.

The number one piece of wisdom to come out of the monastic movement is that human beings cannot live together without a rule of life. Scargill’s rule of life as an intentional community is called a pathway and is written in accessible language and shaped by experience.

In this second edition of The Scargill Podcast, chaplain Annie Naish talks with director Phil Stone about the Scargill Pathway and promises.  We also hear from chaplain Phil Goodacre about what the pathway means to him.

Rules of life are part of a new wave of spirituality in churches and so there is rich wisdom for the church in this edition.

Find out more about life in community at www.scargillmovement.org

Recorded on location at Scargill House, North Yorkshire.  Associate Producer for Scargill Movement is Shaun Lambert.  Produced by Gary Dell. A Wiseword Radio production.

There's a widespread restlessness and dissatisfaction with the individualistic and consumerist world we live in.  Many are stressed and lonely.  One of the hidden pathways out of this gilded cage is intentional community.

In this edition of The Scargill Podcast we ask the question, Why Community?  Phil and Diane Stone, the leaders of Scargill, are in conversation with Rosy Fairhurst, a longstanding friend of the community.

Rosy asks questions that demand authentic and real answers about how the treasure of community is found and by who.  It may well be you who's on that quest, and whether it's learning to live in grace-filled fragility or downward mobility, the stories that Phil and Diane share about the formation of Scargill will make you community-curious.

 If that's not enough we also hear from Richard, a member of community who shares about returning to be part of community for a second time!

Find out more about life in community at www.scargillmovement.org

Recorded on location at Scargill House, North Yorkshire.  Associate Producer for Scargill Movement is Shaun Lambert.  Produced by Gary Dell.  A Wiseword Radio production.