The musicians played, the air filled with hundreds of children’s voices, and eight hundred years of tranquillity was broken briefly amid the ruins of medieval Jervaulx Abbey. This was Lifepath, an educational experience hosted recently (July 1-4) by Scripture Union and churches in Bedale and Northallerton.
On a carpet of grass and under a ceiling of sky, more than 1,150 pupils from 37 primary schools in North Yorkshire took a journey back in time to explore the life and faith of Cistercian monks who once occupied the abbey.
Central to each day was a procession through the ruins into what was the abbey cloisters, accompanied by flag-waving ‘monks’ – 67 Scripture Union volunteers dressed in medieval-style habits.
A seven-piece band played songs the children had learned at pre-Lifepath school assemblies, and slapstick comedy – performed by Vicky and Barry Thompson, assistant pastors at New Life Church, Northallerton, and Scripture Union’s North Yorkshire staff worker, Piers Lane, from Aiskew – took a look inside the abbey ‘habit laundry’ to illustrate the forgiveness of sins.
Excited children happily became Lifepath ‘pilgrims’ for the day as they explored a monk’s life through games, art, crafts, music, storytelling, prayer and drama. Their ‘pilgrim guides’ and activity workshop leaders were drawn from the team of volunteers.
The games monks played allowed the Rev David Paton-Williams, Rector of Bedale, to demonstrate his juggling skills, and teach groups of children how to do it, while Wendy Arrowsmith, an Aiskew Methodist Church steward, led groups in a handbell ringing workshop. At another workshop, children were enthralled by retired surgeon Dr Robert Hall, from Castle Bolton, who showed them how monks used herbs as medicine, and retired Crakehall policeman Derek Woodhead illuminated pupils’ names in his ‘scriptorium’ – a calligraphy workshop.
Groups could be actively involved in Bible stories about Jesus with the help of storytellers Katherine Harris and Helena Kittle, and drama specialist Rosie Holliday.
School groups were accompanied by teachers and heads, who had nothing but praise for Lifepath. Caroline Byrne, Assistant Head at Mowbray special school, Bedale, said her pupils had been immersed in the experience. ‘Fantastic!’ she said. ‘They loved the experience, and the pilgrim guides have been super with our children who have special needs. One of our girls, who normally says very little, said it was the best day she’s ever had.’
Lifepath was conceived by Piers Lane and his wife, Fran, a Methodist minister on the Bedale circuit. Piers said: ‘Schools in this area take spiritual development seriously, and we’re glad to partner with them in providing a day that helps to equip children for their own lifepaths.’
ENDS – note to editors follows . . .
Notes to editors:
Schools come from an area ranging from Hawes in the west, to Northallerton in the east, and Boroughbridge in the south to Great Smeaton in the north.
If you need any more information, or if you’d like to arrange an interview, please contact Scripture Union’s Head of Communications Richard Wells on 01908 856153 or 07905 223980, or Christina Farley on 01908 856143, and we’ll do our best to make arrangements speedily.
For more information contact:
Richard Wells
Head of Communications
Scripture Union
Direct line: 01980 856153 / Mobile: 07905 223980
Email: richardw@scriptureunion.org.uk