Blogs

When life juggles with our learning – musing on … art – doubt – faith

When life juggles with our learning – musing on … art – doubt – faith

1          When life juggles with our learning,
            with the things we thought secure,
            then it seems the artist’s palette
            spins and faith becomes obscure.
            In the wash of different colours,
            as we seek for shape and form,
            others paint their faith by numbers
            forcing God to fit some norm.
           
2          But when life has torn the canvas,
            when the numbers twist and slip;
            then we need to find an image
            that will help our hope to grip:
            Holding us, when we’re past holding,
            grounding when we’re insecure,
            till we find a faith, not drifting,
            still dynamic, free, yet sure.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948)

Words © 2011 © Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: 8 7 8 7 D Tune: NORMANDY (Bost)



A prescient hymn perhaps…

This hymn was written immediately following the announcement of the death of Osama bin Laden. Today’s news of the death  Yahya Sinwar perhaps makes it prescient…?

This hymn can be used freely locally. Please include in your CCL returns.

We cannot gloat: a time for grief,
another mother’s son is dead,
and if that son has killed and maimed,
it is the better least is said;
but let us mourn for all the loss,
within the shadow of the cross.

We mourn for victims we have loved,
and for the orphans yet unborn;
for those for whom a searing pain
greets this and every rising dawn,
and then we bow our heads and pray
that peace might drench the world today.

And to that end we pledge our lives,
our words, our actions and our deeds,
as following the Prince of Peace,
we’ll work for peace till peace succeeds
in breaking every barrier down,
that love may be our goal and crown.

Andrew Pratt 02/05/2011
© Copyright Stainer & Bell Ltd
Please include useage on your CCL Licence returns
Tune: ABINGDON

PRATT GREEN TRUST + Brand New HymnQuest

As part of its 40th anniversary, the Trust is hosting a special one-day seminar in Manchester (and online) on 14 November and they would love to see you there:

“A More Profound Alleluia”
New perspectives on Fred Pratt Green’s hymns and their legacy
Luther King House, Manchester
14 November 2024, 10:30–17:00

BOOKING: https://prattgreentrust.org.uk/2024-seminar-a-more-profound-alleluia
Not only will you enjoy a fascinating, thought-provoking day, but you will also have the opportunity to see the brand-new version of HymnQuest, which will be available for the first time.

TIMETABLE

10:00 – Welcome and introduction to the day 
10:15 – Keynote speaker – Martin Leckebusch
11:15 – Coffee
11:45 – Workshop/Discussion – Elise Massa
12:45 – Lunch
13:30 – Papers

  • A Museum of theology – Christian hymns and Inclusion – June Boyce-Tillman
  • Fred Pratt Green – Opening Doors – Andrew Pratt
  • The Reception of Fred Pratt Green’s Hymns in North America – Nancy Graham
  • Proclaiming Social Justice in South Africa through English Hymnody: A Brief Exploration of John Gardener’s Contribution in South Africa– Andrew-John Bethke

15:30 – Tea
16:00 – Theological discussion – with questions from the floor
16:30 – Choral session – details of the Choir TBA
17:00 – CloseIf you would like to know more about the PGT or find out about ways you can help their cause, please email gillian@prattgreentrust.org.uk.

Giver of life, of breath, of bread – a hymn by a friend who describes it as ‘perennially topical’

Giver of life, of breath, of bread - Doug Constable

Giver of life, of breath, of bread,
from whose self-giving souls are fed,
from whom we learn the priceless worth
of every creature born on earth:

hear the poor prayers of aching hearts
weighed down by conscience-piercing darts;
for You command Your love’s good will:
no ifs no buts, Thou shalt not kill.

Self-sacrificing Christ, you grieve
 both for the dead and folks who leave
their hearts at home, who take up guns,
who let bombs fall on helpless ones.

Spirit, whose strength springs fresh from High,
comfort all victims marked to die;
relieve each soul found in distress;
curb all who’d rather curse than bless.

On those, unmoved by war’s alarms,
who profit by the sale of arms,
drop fires of purging faith, to burn
all fears to ash in love’s safe urn.

Merciful God, Beginning, End,
Saviour-Redeemer, sinner’s friend,
war-ending Spirit, breathing peace:
 weep with us till death-dealing cease ...

© Doug Constable  17.9 to 15.6.2024

Suggested tune: RIVAULX

Thank you Doug - sadly needful