We are pleased to continue our partnership with Spectrum, a community of Christians of all denominations which encourages groups and individuals to explore the Christian faith in depth. This year the study papers are on the theme of ‘Heartfelt Worship’ by Rev’d Jan Berry (author and former principal of Luther King House, Manchester) and Tim Baker (Local Preacher, All We Can’s Churches and Volunteers Manager and contributor to the Twelve Baskets Worship Resources Group).
This is the fifth of the series, which is a report on a group process and an invitation to join in – which we hope inspires the imagination and creativity of Theology Everywhere readers.
As an opening exercise participants were asked to write down five words which had stood out for them during the Spectrum conference, and each person was asked to share one of their words and listed them on a flipchart.
The resulting list was:
withness
sharing
partnership
image
honest
re-awakening
here
patience
unfettered
authentic
community
justice
questioning
space
engaging
reflection
refraction
situated
home
feeling
listening
together
kidneys
We then asked everyone to write a line, phrase or sentence using one or more of these words.
We wrote up some examples:
‘Here is our gathering
authentic community’
‘We were welcomed to share in the passion and inclusive theology of worship that was interesting, engaging and fun’
‘I reflect upon the honesty of engaging with the image of kidney as an authentic metaphor!’
‘With grace we awaken our memory so we embody your justice’
Participants were then given the rest of the session to write their own material for worship, whether hymns, prayers or reflections. Some of these were shared in the final session the following day; here are some of the contributions:
God of WITHNESS — this is our space as well as Yours
Such places are all too rare
Here honest questioning
finds breath
unfettered by the boundaries
of niceness
or need to skirt around
con-tro-ver-sy
Here in this place
passionate pleas for justice find their voice
Crafted by worthy wordsmiths
whilst wizards reveal their images that seal the deal
And gifted kidneys
are hymned in laughter and refractive praise
For here in this blessed community
we engage in talk of God
in-com-pre-hen-si-bly made
you and me
so girls in far off lands may
cycle home for tea
( Rob Hufton)
Here in our gathering,
authentic community,
a home for our heart,
a space for our life;
here in our sharing,
our questioning, our searching
we walk in your light
travel in your truth;
Here in our trusting in you
and each other,
we grow and we flourish
to bring forth good fruit
of justice and care,
compassion and nurture,
to reach out to all
and live in your love.
(Tony Buglass)
Lord I have questions
large and deep, I find it hard my faith to
keep No answers come
when prayers are made In darkness
black
when all hopes fade
Yet still small voice fair nags inside, Faith and
trust, though small, abide, Awaken hope and love to
cheer,
Our God unknown is with us HERE. (Richard Firth)
Readers are invited to do a similar creative writing exercise to share. It could be a hymn, a prayer, a poem, or a piece of prose for use in worship.
Theology Everywhere 
Why search for God enthroned above,
’Mid distant stars where angels soar?
Why look for him in ancient times,
Or far off lands beyond our shore?
O Lord, who once was homeless child,
And man in pain on gallows tree,
May we see you in those who hurt,
The destitute, the refugee.
—
Why wait for God to intervene,
To right the wrong, to reign supreme,
With flaming sword or angel hosts,
At hour unknown, a distant dream?
O Lord, our time to act is now,
So grant us gifts that we can share;
By channelling love, may we in turn,
Be your response to someone’s prayer.
—
Why long for life that follows death,
With heav’nly choir all dressed in white,
Among the saints around the throne,
All shadows lost in endless light?
O Lord, who said eternal life
Begins right here, may we now know
That peace and joy you offer us
In serving you on earth below.
—
Why think of faith as words and creeds,
As rites and rules, as holy writ?
We show our faith in how we love
When we ourselves to you commit.
O Lord, help us to spend ourselves,
As freed from self, transformed by grace,
We now respond to those in need,
Discerning you in every face.
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May we have your permission to print this in our parish letter for Coldstream.?. It is a powerful piece of writing. Thank you. Pat Rowe
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Yes, provided you show the copyright as © Philip Sudworth 2008.
He wrote it as a hymn set to the tune Stanley (Mann). That tune is in the 1933 Methodist Hymnbook and can also be found on google.
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God with us,
God within us,
God of withness ,
weaving community,
around and through us,
creating and recreating us,
with
space for questions,
space for engaging,
with you and one another
+
God of withness,
stir us together
to newness of life,
make us a community of joy, of justice,
made in your image,
reflecting your love,
unfettered by past burdens,
free to become authentic community,
home together
with one another,
with you..
+
God of withness
help us to listen,
help us to be open,
re-awaken in us
fresh possibilities,
where love, faith, hope,
kindness, generosity and patience prevail
+
God of withness, make us one with you.
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I wrote the words of a hymn while I was training to be a Methodist local preacher. It can be sung to the tune of ‘Your hand, O God, has guided your flock, from age to age’ (StF 692)
I planned to use it in the next service I was leading. And then Covid struck.
By the time the churches opened up again, I had abandoned my studies and converted to the Catholic faith (but that’s another story!)
Sometimes I read my hymn and feel a bit sad. A line from ‘The sound of silence’ by Simon and Garfunkel comes to mind: ‘People writing songs that voices never shared ……’
I will print my song here (it was written for a Methodist congregation) and hope that one day someone, somewhere, will sing it. There are no copyright issues.
Creator God, you made us
to live upon this earth;
in your own image, bade us
to find our soul’s true worth.
As guardians of our planet,
of land and sky and sea,
to care for one another,
one human family.
Most gracious God, you gave us
your Son, to show the way
of peace, and loving kindness,
to walk with him each day.
In him is all compassion,
all mercy, love and grace;
through him we know your plan for us,
one undivided race.
In spirit, you empower us
to live our lives, set free
from guilt and shame and hatred,
and all disharmony.
Abundant life you promise
to all who heed your call
to work for peace and justice,
and dignity for all.
So may your church be strong, Lord,
in faith and charity;
in worship and in mission,
your witness shall we be.
And help us, Lord, to care for all,
for stranger, friend and foe,
and through your all-embracing love,
become the God we know.
(Dedicated to all the Methodists who helped to nurture my faith. God bless you always.)
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I will use your lovely hymn
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