Category: Other People’s Words

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