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.