Hymns Project CFRUC - Crescent Fort Rouge United Church

 Songs of Faith: Favourite Hymns from the Congregation of Crescent Fort Rouge United Church Introduction What a privilege to be entrusted with the stories and sharing that came through in this project! The interweaving of spirit and song carries a power that is, for me, transcendent magic. I am deeply grateful to all the forty‐some contributors. I was thrilled at the response (even though some people now consider me a major nag). And I am delighted to offer these ponderings, which make connections between music and the sacred, back to the whole congregation. Most of the writers found it hard to select one favourite. (Even though, I make a distinction, in my head, between a favourite and the favourite.) Many snuck in references to other hymns. (Myself included!) Some slightly crafty people wrote about two selections. One creative soul added a list of favourites to her reflection. Another thoughtful person simply refused to be confined by the directions, and didn’t make any one hymn selection. Despite the instructions, one person picked a hymn not in Voices United (VU) or More Voices (MV). All of which goes to show that we are an outrageous collection of God’s people, full of diversity, differences and distinctiveness held together by grace. Some found it hard to find 250 words to express their connection to a hymn, and as a result were brief in their comments. Others struggled to confine themselves to the word limit (and didn’t!) In the end I decided not to edit or re‐write anyone (well… not substantively anyway). It started to feel like a violation to step on such precious gifts and such tender expressions of faith and spirituality. I wanted to allow the voices of the people to be heard, to transfer them as they came to me ‐‐ full of the richness of lives lived, passions carried, and wisdom garnered. Four people picked “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry”; three chose “How Great Thou Art.” Three more selected “God Be in my Head.” Two elected for “One More Step along the World I Go”, two others for “Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah.” Amongst this mixture of musical selections and styles, we have several Christmas carols, and a number of paraphrases of the psalms. The range the writers opted for included the modern and classical, the upbeat and contemplative, the pastoral and challenging. A variety of tastes and theologies, preferences and predispositions, influences and insights are represented. I toyed with the idea of grouping the selections in variety of ways – by theme, in chronological order of composition date, in clusters of hymns selected by more than one person – but in the end, I thought a simple alphabetical listing by the contributors’ last names would be crisp and clear. You can then draw your own conclusions without it being filtered through my biases and presuppositions. Ironically, I found it near impossible to do the task myself. I was tempted to cop out and claim my status as “editor” in order to squirrel out of the responsibility of being a contributor. In the end, I was one of the ones who slipped in a few references before landing on one choice. You have to laugh at yourself! I have greatly loved the line from the 4th verse of “Sing a Happy Hallelujah” which says, prayerfully and playfully, “We are loved, though so absurd, human, foolish, chosen people, …” (VU # 224). Certainly, lots of poignant life moments are included in these offerings. Personal history is described. Moments of sadness and sorrow are disclosed. Flashes of celebration and courage are remembered. I think this tiny volume has potential to provide one small vehicle to help us to get to know one another better. A counselor friend of mine says that when we know one another better it is easier to understand one another, accept one another and love one another. In a world where community can be hard to find, I hope you will approach contributors. I encourage you to ask further questions, share your favourites, and say thank you to them for sharing of themselves in this way. I consider what they have offered a gift and I am most grateful. Ted Dodd Chair, Songs of Faith Ministry Group April, 2012 Brenda Baker One More Step along the World I Go VU # 639 There are many hymns that touch me at the time we sing or I remember it but one of my favorite hymns is “One More Step along the World I Go.” It reminds me that no matter what is happening in your life it only takes one more step to change things. There are lots of things that have happened in my life over the years and at the time it seems the event is very overwhelming but as time goes on things can get better if you have faith, time and take that one more step. It always seems to give me a lift when I hear it. Dianne Baker My Love Colours Outside the Lines MV # 138 Music speaks to me at a depth of spirit that is almost inaccessible to other forms of expression. Singing in community is the closest my soul gets to rapture, to being transported to some kind of union with God’s intention for the world. Hymns that move me become very precious to my faith. Many hymns lift me, or cradle and rock me, or call me to action, or help me find voice for a thought I have wrestled with. When they are released in an uninhibited way by a congregation that lifts their communal voice, I feel our songs fly straight to the heart of creation. When there is unity between the intent of the words and the mood of the music, something true happens. When I lived in Trinidad, a hymn sung by the Methodists with great joy and vigor was “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing.” The melody matched the emphasis of the words perfectly and the end of each verse was repeated and the tune first rose, filled with grace notes, then sank and settled with profound solidity. Somehow, the tune we use from Voices United doesn’t move me to the same degree. These days, one contemporary hymn that speaks to me is by Gordon Light, “My Love Colours Outside the Lines.” Surprisingly, it started out as a love song for a life partner, and then became a hymn about the adventures of a faith that follows an unconventional path of risk and discovery and longing for engagement. I sang it at the church my parents attend in Sechelt BC, accompanied by one of the most skillful jazz pianists I have heard play in the church community. That was the last time my father heard me sing publicly. Next time I sang it was crooning softly at my father’s hospital bedside, then a week later at his funeral. “We’ll never walk on water if we’re not prepared to drown; body and soul need a soaking from time to time.” Peggy Barker She Flies On VU # 380 My favourite hymn is “She Flies On.” My mother always played the piano but when she retired from teaching she took lessons to learn to play the organ. After several years she began playing the organ in church (Kenville United Church). She was the organist there when Voices United was launched. I was talking to her one day when she was working with the congregation to introduce some of the new hymns. She said that the new one she really liked was “She Flies On”. I remember her saying that it was hard to sing so they really had to work at to get comfortable with it! I think Mom liked it for the music as much as for the ideas and imagery. For me, the image of the Holy Spirit as female and maternal is what is important. It was one of the hymns we sang at Mom’s funeral. Whenever I sing it I think of Mom and her love of music, her willingness to try new things and the importance of the church in her life. These are all part of her legacy to me. Marlene Beaty My Life Flows On VU # 716 The hymn I am choosing is: "My Life Flows On", #716 in Voices United, words and music by Robert S. Lowry This hymn has touched my heart from the moment I heard it and it has grown more meaningful to me since then. I love the beauty and soulfulness of the melody. Because singing and music have been a need, a joy, and a solace to me, the words "How can I keep from singing?" are very powerful to me. The writer speaks of the shadows in life and how, despite "tumult and strife" and "earth's lamentations", God is always there, our "rock". Those words have resonated with me in an emotional way when I have experienced down times in my life; they have allowed me to experience those feelings and yet have hope. As well, the writer talks of the joys of life and the need to praise God and to celebrate them. That has also been important to me; the hymn gives me the opportunity to express that joy and thankfulness. Rose Brown (age 4 as told to her Mom) Away in a Manger VU # 69 I like "Away in the Manger" better than "Where's Priscilla?" (A song they sing at the start of Sunday School) and then "Don't be afraid, My love is stronger". Rose could not say why she likes these songs but she does sing them all the time at home. Barbara Ann Bryant‐Anstie I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry VU # 644 There are many hymns in Voices United and More Voices that speak to my spirit. One that has become a favorite is “I Was There to Hear your Borning Cry”. I grew up within a strong Christian family and an active faith community. In many ways the hymn’s poetry tells my own faith‐life story. I find the images powerful and the music uplifting. My father was a loving, intelligent and gentle man who loved to sing. In his later years Alzheimer’s Disease robbed him and those who loved him of his strong and gentle spirit. On a warm and sunny first day of spring in 2000, dad died. The Memorial Service was held in Knox–Metropolitan, Regina, where our family had always attended. In honour of dad there was lots of music and the choir loft was filled with members of the Regina Philharmonic Choir. But I don’t remember what they sang. There was a Hymn I wanted especially to hear sung that day, and I do remember it. I asked a young woman from the church choir if she would sing “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry”. Because my dad was like a grandpa to her she was unsure if she could manage it. But she agreed and sung beautifully. She told me later that when she looked over and saw my smiling face as she sang that helped her to sing. The words are powerful and affirming yet simple the music lyrical and easy to sing. It is one of my favourite hymns. Charlotte Caron What hymn is my favorite? My mind jumps from hymn to hymn—old to new, rapid tempo to slow, familiar to fresh, easily sung to challenging. As I contemplate various hymns, I realize that my favorite hymn is the one that fits with the rest of the service and allows me to worship fully. No one hymn or style of hymn or era of hymn can do it. For me hymns are about worship—about being in the presence of God and letting God’s Spirit act through the singing in community. Sometimes the hymn evokes praise. Sometimes it brings the scripture to life. Sometimes it calls for commitment. Sometimes it brings hope in a world that often seems devoid of hope. Protestant worship appeals to the mind. We are a people of the Word. And so what the hymn says—the words joined into poetry to express the message—is important. My favorite hymns also add emotion. They enliven the Word with feelings. When feelings open and the words convey the message, music inevitably enriches the spirit. The presence of God is real—and for the moment the hymn that aligns Word, heart and spirit is my favorite hymn. Barbara Cook In the Bleak Mid Winter A favourite hymn? That’s a hard one. Some I like for their words and meaning, Some I like the melody, Some I find grow on me over time, Some I know the poet Or the composer is a favourite. And through it all I come back to a Christmans hymn “In the Bleak Mid Winter” VU#55 which gives me peace and quiet and paints a picture for me that I like to remember. Also I am fond of: VU #260 God Who Gives to Life Its Goodness #296 This Is God’s Wondrous world #297 All Praise to You (Finlandia) #299 Teach Me God to Wonder #353 ‘Tis the Gift to Be Simple #420 Go to the World #614 In Suffering Love #691 Though Ancient Walls #697 O for a World #964 Go Now in Peace MV #179 Sisters Let Us Walk Together VU#55 Alan Crossin Unto the Hills VU page 842 I have many “favorite hymns”, most of which, alas, are rarely sung in church, but if I had to pick one to head the list it would be VU842 “Unto the Hills”. When I was around seventeen years old I was invited to join a church group for young men aged 16 to 21 known as the Order of the Black Square. Meetings were held Sundays at St. Andrew’s River Heights United Church in Winnipeg following the morning worship service. I greatly enjoyed my association with this group, made many new friends, and learned much that has been helpful to me in later life. This was an amazing organization! All our meetings opened with the singing of “Unto the Hills”. “On the wall of our meeting room in the basement of the old church was a framed picture of Lake Louise, which we were told was the scene that inspired the author to paraphrase the ancient Hebrew words of Psalm 121 for this hymn. It was written by John Campbell, Marquis of Lorne and Governor General of Canada from 1878 to 1883, when he visited the area in the early days before it was accessible by road or railway. To me, “Unto the Hills” is the Black Square hymn. When I sing it I think of that remarkable group and I am transported in spirit to beautiful Lake Louise. I love that hymn. It’s truly Canadian, it has a great tune and a message that fits my own theology. Kathy Desbiolles Morning Has Broken VU # 409 Amazing Grace VU #266 I was at an emotionally vulnerable age (junior high) when my maternal grandfather died. I remember seeing my mother cry and really feeling scared. Parents were supposed to be rocks, unshakable, able to handle everything! My grandfather's funeral was the first one I remember attending. It was a real eye‐opener ‐ a Catholic funeral ‐ (we attended the United Church). One of the hymns was “Morning Has Broken.“ I was profoundly touched by that hymn. I memorized the lyrics and I remember walking to school, singing the hymn with all my heart, my best friend at my side, singing with me. I comforted myself in that way. For me, “Morning Has Broken” symbolized sadness and funerals. “Amazing Grace” also comes to mind as a hymn that affects me profoundly. It was television that acquainted me with that hymn. I have always associated it with pain and suffering assuaged through death. Six years ago, when my husband of 19 years died, deciding on hymns for his funeral was easy. It had to be “Morning Has Broken” and “Amazing Grace.” The effect of these powerful hymns for me is profound. Upon hearing them in church, I am immediately transported back to those very sad times of my life and I find the feelings still just as raw and painful. Each time these hymns make me revisit the grief, I notice that it takes me a little less time to recover; I am healing a little. That is comforting. So, favourite hymns... yes, because I recognize their healing qualities for me. No other hymns have affected me so powerfully. Ted Dodd Spirit, Open My Heart MV # 79 Like so many others in this volume, I found selecting one hymn daunting and distressing. Many hymns carry, for me, the power of nostalgic and profound sentiment and connection. Some twenty years ago, I sang “Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah” (VU #651) to my mother as she was dying. For many important, formative years, I worked with young people and they loved to sing and move to “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” (VU # 375). The Servant Song, “We Are Pilgrims” (VU # 595), has become almost an anthem for my beloved diaconal community. Many hymns have the ability to combine language in music in a way that speaks my faith and prayers. The stark poetry of “how does the creature say home” (“God of the Sparrow” VU # 229) catches my soul. The poignancy and rhythm of the words: “For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us, most of all that love has found us” (“For the Fruit of All Creation” VU #227) delights me. The power of the images in “God Weeps” (MV # 78) captures my sense of lament and outrage at the brokenness in the world. Many hymns vibrate with melody and texture in a way that allows me to sing in a way that I think I am a better vocalist than I actual am. “Stay with Us through the Night” (VU # 182) stands as an Easter example, and a Christmas one is “Before the Marvel of This Night” (VU # 40). The choice of “Spirit, Open My Heart” involves a little of everything for me. I have fond, warm memories of singing this song with the students in Centre for Christian Studies learning circles. Its words effectively evoke something of the ambiguity of life’s “joy and pain”, something of the importance of the mutuality in “receiving and giving”, something of the biblical mandate to replace a “stony heart” (Ezekiel 36:26, Psalm 95:8). And the lovely lilt of the tune, Wild Mountain Thyme, makes me feel I could aspire to be a version of some Celtic crooner. Enid Dorward Unto the Hills VU page 842 Many psalms are a source of comfort and strength, none more so than Psalm 121. I have often turned to it at times when I needed strength and reassurance. The sung version of this psalm “Unto the Hills” is on page 842 in Voices United. I grew up in a little country church, St. David’s United, north of Oak Lake, Manitoba. It is surrounded by farmers’ fields, and there is a range of hills perhaps half a mile west of the church. At some point over the years, the congregation adopted this hymn as their own, as it describes the setting of the church. When I sing this hymn, I gain comfort from the words of the psalmist, and also from the memory of the little white church that was built more than a century ago by the pioneers of my home district. Elsie Douglas Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah VU # 651 I’ve been thinking about what hymns I could sing ‐ without a hymn book. It would have to be a hymn that I have learned “by heart” (which is not always the same as “by memory”), one with a good solid text and a strong tune, a hymn that has stood the test of time. And it must be fun to sing. (Some hymns are sort of like Brussels sprouts – good for you but not much fun!) And that hymn, for me, is the great Welsh hymn, “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah.” The text is based on the story of the Exodus. The God who provided food for the Israelites, guided them through the desert and delivered them safely on Canaan’s side, is the same God who guides, sustains and strengthens me in my fear and weakness. The tune, Cwm Rhondda, is a good vehicle for the text. It’s not a difficult tune; repetitions make it predictable; the range in the melody is only one octave; each harmony part has an interesting melody. It rises to a lively climax at the end of the fourth line, and whether it’s being sung at a royal wedding or funeral (Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer, in those cases), at a Welsh rugby game, in a church in rural Manitoba by a congregation of nine elderly women, or at Crescent Fort Rouge, it’s usually sung with spirit and energy. This is the hymn I hope to be singing with enthusiasm for the rest of my life … and beyond. Peter Douglas Your Hand, O God, Has Guided VU # 274 In 1965, I went to Scotland to study Theology. Scotland may have been an ancestral home, but it was a long way from family and friends. The United Church hadn't yet composed the statement of faith we entitled "A New Creed", so I wasn't in the habit of reciting "We are not alone. We live in God's world." I may have felt alone. Attending the Church of Scotland, they sang a hymn that spoke of the guiding hand of God, of a wondrous story sung by saints through the ages. It was a song to be sung in times of joy and in times of struggle. It called on us to face life head‐on. To let our hearts fail and our hands hang down, said the hymn, is to fail to trust in the faithfulness of God ... in the hopefulness of the Gospel ... and in the community of the Church. I might be far from home, but I was not alone. In 1971, we published a new hymn book, commonly known as "The Red Book". It contained the hymn "Your Hand, O God, Has Guided" and with that hymn I gladly sing of one church, one faith, one Lord. Ian Fillingham God Be In My Head VU # 430 This is not really a hymn, but a benediction. It is, however, one of my favourite pieces of music. Although it can be used to end a service, it can also be used as a meditation, a prayer, or a choral response equally well. The harmonies are so well structured that each part could be sung as a melody line, but work best done together in a lush blend of sound that carries you deeply into the text. The thoughts are simple, but the meaning is profound, just as good poetry should be. For me, this brief but complete song has been a guide to my interest in sacred music. Much of my spiritual thinking has been influenced by church music, and this piece was an early part of that journey for me. Although it is rarely sung in our services any more, as a singer I will continue to use it as a benchmark for music that speaks to me; and through me to others. Bill Gillis God Is Here VU # 389 Provided with the daunting challenge by the Songs of Faith group to pick a favourite hymn may be one of my main Lenten disciplines for this year. There are for me so many favourite hymns, both old and newer, that it is really difficult to settle on one. As one who does not read music, is unable to play any instrument, who cannot sing, who has virtually no sense of rhythm, and who has difficulty playing a cd on anything but the most basic cd player it may seem odd that I enjoy music. Perhaps it is only now that some of you will learn that I was actually deported to Winnipeg from the East coast where “everyone” is musical. In hymnody especially, both lyrics and music matter to me. In our two books are many hymns that I could have chosen. My final choice is “God is Here” with lyrics by Fred Pratt Green to the Welsh tune Blaenwern. Sung in our sanctuary with the curved seating which brings us into some sense of a circle and with the sonorous tones of the organ the tune, Blaenwern, helps the lyrics to speak of personal faith, community life, challenge of mind, nurture of heart, and equipping for faithful daily living. Here is a website with the tune as it is most often used for the hymn “Love Divine.” This version by the Boys Brigade with organ and brass would be magnificent for “God Is Here.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJkHkUw0tKk Debbie Girard No Crowded Eastern Street VU # 49 I’ve loved this Christmas hymn from the first time I sang it. Its simple, unrushed melody supports lyrics with the uplifting theme that Christ is born here and now, using specifically modern references. As far as I know, it’s the only hymn in our books that mentions Winnipeg winter weather conditions, prairie agricultural outbuildings and commercial air travel. I think its relatability gives it its resonance; my Decembers don’t usually involve shepherds or donkeys, but they do often include plains and planes. I love the message that even though the manger scene assembled over 2000 years ago and halfway around the planet, hope and peace and love are with us here and now, as “yet still to us is born tonight the child, the King of glory." Irene Greenwood Long before the Night (This Ancient Love) VU #282 I don’t know that Carolyn McDade’s hymn “Long before the Night (This Ancient Love)” is my favourite, but it is certainly among my favourites, not just because I like the words and the music, but because the United Church was daring enough to include it in Voices United. It was a decision that made me proud to be part of this church. This is a hymn that reminds us that our understanding of God goes beyond what any one religion can claim. Every time I sing it I am reminded that Christianity, or any other religion, does not own God. The feminine and ancient imagery of this hymn speaks to me in ways that are deep and eternal. That there is something deeper and older than any religion is somehow comforting. Our understanding of God tends to be limited by the words we use to describe or name God. This hymn reminds us that there is something beyond, something older, something bigger than any of our understandings of God – something that is a mystery. But this hymn does also make its own attempt at describing God ‐ God as an ancient, aching love. Who does not have times of wanting to be wrapped in a comforting love? In times of grief, worry, trouble, joy, celebration and more, we long to know we are loved. More than this, we are invited to be part of this love, wrapping all of creation in our collective arms. We are invited to be part of God. Gary Hannaford Shall We Gather at the River VU # 710 I finally got a chance to go through Voices United to pick out my favourite hymn. It is "Shall We Gather at the River." I have always enjoyed this hymn. So much in the bible has links to the river and it is appropriate that we as Christians seem to gather by the river so often. It is where Christ himself was baptized by John the Baptist. At Crescent, we have also often gathered by the river. It was a tradition for many years that we held a spring gathering either along the Assiniboine when Pat Wotton was one of the ministers or we often had a spring gathering at Crescent Park along the Red River. Living in a city where two rivers join together at The Forks, which was historically the gathering place of First Nations in days gone by, it seems appropriate that we are reminded of how often we “Gather at the River." It is one of those hymns that once you hear it, it sits in the back of your thoughts for many days following. Emily Harasen Great Is Thy Faithfulness VU # 288 This is a hymn which I have sung since my childhood. I grew up just outside the city of Thunder Bay, and went to a rural Baptist church from around age 2 until my early 20’s. The style of music we sang was mostly Gospel which has remained a favorite style of music to this day. We did not have a church “choir”, although we did have a couple of musical groups within the congregation, but our entire congregation seemed to sing as a complete whole. I remember the feeling of the music wrapping itself around me, and filling my entire body with sound. I don’t remember the first time I sang “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” in our church, but I do remember the first time it sank into my heart and soul. One of the youth conferences I attended when I was 11 had as its theme, the faithfulness of God, and our theme song was “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” At the closing service we sang the song for a final time and the music and words were imbedded in me. When I sing this song today, I still remember the people around me, the voices beside me and the absolute certainty that God is truly faithful to us. Jim Hatherly Jesus, You Have Come to the Lakeshore VU # 563 My hymn choice is “Jesus You Have Come to the Lakeshore.” This hymn takes me back to reflections I had when I was a teenager. At that time as much as at any other in my life I felt the discerning of a call, of what to make of my life. I was eager to go somewhere on a path that would offer challenge and purpose. “Jesus You Have Come to the Lakeshore” evokes the person of Jesus without describing him. While thin on theology, it is full of humanity. It is more a song of adventure than a hymn. It draws me to someone whom I instinctively trust, and whose invitation holds both mystery and risk. It is the beginning of discipleship. I feel known by the Jesus in this hymn. He knows me by name. His invitation has to do with a shifting of the world. His craft holds no gold or weapons, but something more enduring. The destination is uncharted. The invitation is all that matters for the moment. The cadence of the music lulls me like a gently rocking canoe, but it begs to abandon the shore for “other seas.” At the end of the last verse I am ready to go. Susan Heald How Great Thou Art VU # 238 I know it’s rather un‐cool and old‐fashioned of me, but I’m a sucker for the old hymns. They’re familiar; they remind me of standing with my grandmother, my mother and sister, and my very tall father and two brothers. We all loved to sing, and we would belt out those hymns, helping out others in our small congregation—or drowning them out, depending on your perspective. Yes, the old hymns often convey a theology that is foreign or even anathema to me: they are frequently sexist and rely on tunes, harmonies and rhythms exclusive to a white, Western tradition. In spite of that—or perhaps because of it‐‐their big chords, marching rhythms and sometimes‐soaring tunes seem somehow majestic to me and I feel at home singing them. (All of this is no doubt helped by the fact that a 30‐year absence from the church means that I missed learning the “new” hymns in Voices United.) And so I think, when asked to pick a “favourite hymn,” of “How Great Thou Art.” The phrase “awesome wonder” reminds me of the centrality of wonder and curiosity in my life. Asking questions, wondering why things are the way they are and how they got that way, but at the same time not needing to fix a firm answer, being willing to enjoy the awe and wonder attendant in not knowing—all of these are central to how I live in the world, how I teach and raise my children, and how I worship. Secondly, the hymn celebrates the natural world. Being in a canoe on a quiet lake at sunset, or in the woods on skis on a sunny winter afternoon, watching the river ice break up in the spring, listening to the haunting call of the loon or the cacophonous clatter of the sandhill cranes as they gather in the fall…These are all moments when my spirit soars and I feel close to something that must be God, or Creator. When I consider the mess humans seem to continually make of the planet and of our relations with each other, I feel despair. “How Great Thou Art” lets my soul sing of something much greater than all of that; I can consider a world endless in its beauty and opportunities for curiosity, awe and wonder. Shirley Hilton This is God's Wondrous World VU # 296 I have many favorite hymns, depending on the circumstances, the mood I am in or special memories. One that has special memories is 651 "Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah". My Father in Law would sing it in his deep rich Welsh voice. But the one I have chosen is "This is God's Wondrous World." It might be considered a children's hymn. It is the hymn for Explorers ‐‐ the group for 9 to 11 year old girls leading up to CGIT. My Explorer girls would sing it with such joy. It celebrates the wonder of this world that God has made. But it also acknowledges that there is wrong in the world. "O let me ne'er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet." At this season of the year when new growth is bursting forth, when we see such glorious glorious sunrises and sunsets, how can we not rejoice and be glad. Doug Holroyd God be in My Head VU # 430 This is a beautiful hymn to me that asks God to always be in my thoughts, that God be considered first in all the choices I make each day and for all my life. A tall order, that I don’t come close to making a habit, but a worthwhile aspiration. Helen Isaak In the Bulb There Is a Flower VU # 703 In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed an apple tree; in cocoons a hidden promise ; butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. In our end is our beginning, in our time , infinity; in our doubt there is believing ; in our life eternity. In our death a resurrection; at the last a victory, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. This song brings back many memories of a dear friend Lois. It was sung by her family at her memorial service. Lois’ first love was children and she taught with much dedication, joy and skill. For the last number of years she taught a special class of language delayed children, pouring all her love and energy and discipline into helping “her kids” overcome their limitations. Over the course of her life, Lois was forced to face and overcome many difficulties and challenges. Her marriage ended in a painful divorce. Persistent and debilitating pain necessitated hip replacements. A stroke left permanent vision loss, memory loss and many other deficits which she worked with much determination to overcome. After her brain tumor was diagnosed, the last two years became for her a continuous struggle to survive and overcome first radical surgery, then radiation and over a year of chemotherapy. When despite all this painful effort , she was faced with the grim reality that the tumor had returned and was untreatable she responded with the same courage, faith and concern for others that had always been a part of who she was. barb janes There Was a Child in Galilee (Dreaming Mary) MV #134 When the Songs of Faith group came up with the idea for this collection, i immediately thought of “My Soul Cries Out” (MV #120), with its fabulous, driving rhythm of celebration…but instead surprised myself by turning to “There Was a Child in Galilee (Dreaming Mary)”, a hymn that haunts me with its wistfulness and never fails to make me cry. For us Protestants, Mary is a new discovery, yet where else would Jesus have learned to dream the dream of the Magnificat (Luke 1:46‐55)? i love the sense that the dream is both true and yet a dream, like the kingdom (or kin‐
dom) of God – already among us and yet to come. We are invited to take up the dream, and make it come true. “She dreamed, rejoicing in her savior; she dreamed of justice for the poor. She dreamed that kings oppressed no more…” The sense of rejoicing and, at the same time, putting our hands to the task resonates in a deep place for me. This is a hymn that draws from scripture and looks to the future, evidenced not only in the words but in the generosity of the lyricist/composer in lodging the copyright with the United Church of Canada Foundation. Barb was in email conversation with Janet Gadeski, the composer/lyricist of this piece. Janet wrote: I've thought for a long time that the mother of Jesus must have been an extraordinary person, yet we know so little about her. She is pictured as "storing these things up in her heart" ‐ and I think that contemplative habit must have begun well before her pregnancy, so it wasn't hard for me to imagine her as a visionary, with no way open to her, a young, uneducated, poor woman, to express her vision. I've read some of the "Gospels" that didn't make the cut when the Bible was assembled, and was surprised to find miracle stories about Mary that paralleled some of Jesus' miracles. They also started me thinking about how important and unique she must have been. One day as I pictured her just before the Annunciation, I saw her attending to household chores in a simple hut with a fire in the middle. Gusts of wind blew open the door and stirred the fire. Sparks flew. The Annunciation vision happened, whether through an external angel or a spiritual melding of her inward vision and dramatic natural phenomena. She brought up Jesus and taught him her vision, and now he shares it with us. The verses came first, as you'll gather from the story. For a while, I tried to fit them to a different tune of mine, but it just wasn't right. Finally, when I was creating some new music for a Celtic service (I play the Celtic harp), I realized that what I was improvising/composing fit the first couple of lines of the Dreaming Mary text. Once I had that, I shaped the rest of the tune fit, and it all came together. My relationship with the United Church began in 1989, when I took the job of church administrator at Metropolitan United Church in Toronto. From there, I moved to the General Council office to put wheels under the idea of a national charitable foundation for the church. Now I lead a company that publishes electronic and print resources, presents seminars and webinars, and offers individual bequest campaign guidance to charities all over Canada. I don't do enough music any more, but keep looking for a way to create sufficient quiet space for another Dreaming Mary or two to emerge. Your encouragement will, I'm sure, add more fuel to that fire, and for that, I'm very grateful to you. Joan Jarvis I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry VU # 644 When approached to write a short statement about my favourite hymn, I thought it would be an easy task. After all, for years I have written the names of beloved hymns on the inside cover of my Bible…all I needed to do was to choose one! Why then is this a difficult undertaking? As I reflect on the list of hymns I cherish, I realize that they were chosen because they have touched a chord deep within at some point in my life. These hymns have resonated because of the beautiful melodies…the harmonies that blend together so brilliantly…sometimes it is the words that connect to my theology and faith journey, conveying feelings of affirmation, questions or challenge. I do recognize, however, that these hymns have one thing in common; they all intersect with significant life experiences. At this time in my life, I find myself choosing “I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry.” In this past year, I have experienced the intense joy in the birth of our first grandchild, Ian and the pleasure this has brought to our lives. I have also experienced the intense pain of letting go and saying a final goodbye to loved ones. And so it is that the words from this song resonate deep within and touch my spirit in ways that are difficult to communicate. I was there to hear your borning cry, I’ll be there when you are old. I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold. When the evening gently closes in and you shut your weary eyes, I’ll be there as I have always been with just one more surprise. This hymn speaks to me of God’s blessings that are ever‐present throughout our lives and that in the circle from birth to death, we belong to God who blesses us with both tears and laughter. Cam Mackie I Am the Church; You Are the Church She Flies On VU # 380 When we returned to Winnipeg from Ottawa with two young children we were delighted to find a small group of people, who like ourselves, were seeking an inclusive congregation that engaged all ages in the worship service. We had joined a church in Ottawa where there was an early morning service whose members were largely young families and had some experience with such a congregation so we knew what we were looking for. We were blessed with members of our group who were always on the lookout for new activities and music. This hymn, “I Am the Church; You are the Church” which was not yet in any of the hymn books, fit our needs in every way. It simply says “all who follow Jesus all around the world, we are the church together”. The music allows even those who cannot keep a tune to join with others with gusto and to be touched both by the rhythms and the inclusive sentiments in the words. The soaring music of “She Flies On” is enough to make it a favourite for me. It captures our inherent need to be both participant in and observer of our spiritual selves. The assurance that “She” was always there for Jesus, hence for all of us, is both comforting and inspiring as we struggle to make sense of our beliefs and be reconciled with the unknowable. The use of “she” helps me to realize that the idea of “God” is not necessarily personified in my own image. Juanita MacKinnon I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry VU # 644 The instant my first daughter drew breath, began my lessons in motherhood and I’ve been learning ever since. An independent mother with three independent daughters meant that not all of the lessons were painless ‐ for any of us. Life is a journey fraught with twists and turns, ups and downs, risks and rewards. As my own children “wandered off to find where demons dwell,” I found comfort in the words of this hymn. In the darkness of a failed relationship, “I’ll be there to guide you through the night”, I found comfort. Now, at the birth of each new grandchild and in the light of a new relationship, this hymn reminds me, God will “be there to make your verses rhyme from dusk til rising sun.” Through sunshine or shadow, whether tears of sorrow or tears of joy, through it all, God promises to be present. Today, I find myself all too soon “in the middle ages of [my] life, not too old, no longer young.” Both of my parents have died and I am now in the ‘frontline’ generation in my family. We recently lost a friend to cancer – the first of our generation to die. The longer I live, the more common that will become. Without willing it, my mind drifts to that inevitable time when I will face the adventure that lies beyond this life. “When the evening gently closes in and you rest your weary eyes,” may I be comforted in the knowledge that God “will be there as [God] has always been with just one more surprise.” If my time comes as early as tomorrow, I am grateful for the life given and I leave this world happy. Barb Masterman God Be in My Head VU # 430 I first sang this when I was a young teen in the Winnipeg Girls’ Choir. When I sang it at Crescent, it felt like I had once again found an old friend. I love the sense of God being with me and guiding me in my present life and at my departing; it gives me great solace. Joan McConnell Let My Spirit Always Sing MV #83 Select one hymn, one hymn … how could I possibly choose only one from all the hymns I love in Voices United and More Voices? Thumbing through both books I found myself declaring every few minutes “Oh here is the one!” and then going on and finding another … and another … and another. However I soon found I kept returning to “Let My Spirit Always Sing” – but then I had to discern why this particular hymn kept pulling me back. Maybe it is the fact that the words speak to me of where I am in the cycle of life. In my 70s, I am finding this stage of the aging process a whole new adventure and that is what I hear in the words of this song. It speaks of one’s ongoing spirituality, not a spirituality that gets left behind as one gets older, but a spirituality that grows and deepens with time. Maybe it is the fact that it acknowledges how much more there is still to learn, no matter what our age. It affirms how being open to change, to expanding one’s thinking gives opportunity to continue to grow and experience new and different ideas, new and different people. Maybe it is the fact that it speaks to me of my faith in ways that I can hear and believe. Having walked with loved ones as they approached the end of their days I find that I too can sing (and believe) the words “… trust your love, through life and death.” So, let my spirit always sing …. Jo Millard God Bless to Us Our Bread MV # 193 How to choose a favourite hymn after a lifetime of hymn‐singing?! ? At first I leaned toward 'Breathe On Me, Breath of God ' (VU # 382) as it stirred many memories of singing at CGIT and Young People's Camp as well as church gatherings of many kinds in many places, all with a sense of reverence. And what could be more stirring musically as well as in text than 'Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah' (VU # 651 ) (The tune Cwm Rhondda of course!) But what I ultimately settled on as my number one was a very simple hymn/song we have often sung as an offertory, which to me captures succinctly the message of the gospel: God bless to us our bread, And give bread to those who are hungry And hunger for justice to those who are fec. God bless to us our bread. (I interpret the bread as a metaphor for all our material goods.) Gwenna Moss Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending VU # 25 When did you last sing that hymn? An odd, choice you might say, but I have two reasons. First, I always have a hymn playing in my head. This is usually, but not always, a hymn from Sunday worship, which plays in my head until another piece of music drives it out. It is like having an iPod playing on repeat. That’s what happened recently with “Lo, He Comes . . .” Second, this is a Charles Wesley hymn, or at least one that in 1758 he revised from the original words penned by John Cennick in 1750. Voices United sanitized the words a bit – the original “deeply wailing” became “deeply grieving”. I’ll go with “wailing”. Wesley’s hymns trigger something in my Methodist heritage. Two of my great grandfathers were Methodist lay preachers who came from other places (England, Ontario) to take up land in the Primitive Methodist Colony near Duff‐Abernethy in what is now Saskatchewan. This would have been a hymn they sang, probably acapella, although later they acquired a foot‐pumped organ. But – and here’s the challenge for contemporary church musicians – the metric has to be “lively”. The tune for this hymn is listed as “English melody 18th century”. The version which I like (no, love) is by Maddy Prior and The Carnival Band titled “Sing Lustily and With Good Courage” (one of John Wesley’s instructions for singing). The accompaniment to the vocal is by violin, bassoon, bass, lute, and tabor. And the metric is decidedly lively. I love it, and dance to it and others on this disc. Yvonne Naismith Long before the Night VU # 282 What ‘s your favourite hymn? There’s a challenging question. At the best of times I loathe doing surveys. I can never seem to narrow it down to just one answer. So I’ve been procrastinating for weeks over this question. Hmm do I choose “Morning Has Broken” with its many memories of Oxford United or perhaps Oscar Peterson’s “Hymn to Freedom” sung by the Oxford choir or… insert long list. This morning I’ve settled on “Long before the Night (This Ancient Love)”. Carolyn McDade’s music speaks to me on so many levels – the melodies, the imagery, her theology, warms my heart and speaks to my spirit. Added to this are memories of forming deep friendships singing McDade songs while studying for ministry at the Centre for Christian Studies. Imagine how delighted I was one Sunday morning to hear Emily play this hymn on the piano as the offering was gathered. I approached Emily after the service and mentioned how much I enjoyed the hymn and wondered if we could sing the words sometime during the summer. Emily’s response was “why not now!” Elsie Douglas & Diane Gillis were recruited and sat on either side of me in the front pew and we sang. What a blessed moment…”this ancient love, this aching love rolls on.” With profound thanks for the companions at Crescent Fort Rouge. Ken Nattrass O God, Our Help in Ages Past VU page 806 For every Remembrance Day observance (except one) since I began attending elementary school, I have eagerly anticipated singing the great Isaac Watts hymn “O God, Our Help in Ages Past.” It was always part of Remembrance Day services in school and, with one exception that I can recall, has been part of Remembrance services at CFRUC. That exception occurred approximately 20 years ago when the minister of the day took the view that it was “time for a change”. I recall reacting poorly to that decision and offering the opinion that the “time for a change” would be after I die, and not before. For me, the Act of Remembrance and the singing of “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” is a moment to honour the memories of my father, Keith Nattrass, his good friend Kenny Lester, and my uncle Jim Barker. I am here because my father survived 11 months of action (June 1944 to May 1945) at the front in an armoured car in the 12th Manitoba Dragoons. A young man from Ontario, Kenny Lester, served in the same armoured car as my father. He too survived and made it back to Canada safe and sound. However, in hitch‐hiking back to his home town from Toronto, he was struck and killed by a vehicle at the side of a highway. Jim Barker was my mother’s baby brother, the youngest of seven children in her family. He survived the war as an Air Force pilot. However, three months after VE Day, still in England, he was killed when his air plane crashed during a routine exercise. My given names are Kenneth James in honour of Kenny Lester and Jim Barker. Each year when, as part of the Remembrance observance, we sing “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”, my thoughts turn to my father, his friend and my uncle. For me, the hymn and the remembrance are inextricably linked. Stacey Nattrass Brown
How Great Thou Art VU # 238
Part of my love for this hymn comes from hearing it play at my grandparents house as a kid. Part of it comes from my dad who I know also loves this hymn. But the main reasons I love this hymn are that I just love the feeling of singing that melody and that the words resonate deeply with me. The melody starts off so humbly in the low register and then leaps up the octave for the chorus. I feel so energized singing it. The words really speak to the basis of my faith. For example the phrases, "When I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy hand hath made" and "You sent Your Son not sparing". When I look at the intricacy of creation, both in nature and in living creatures I cannot help but believe in God, and when I consider the sacrifice of Jesus I cannot help but turn my life into His hands. Truly this hymn captures the essence of my faith. How Great Thou Art VU # 238 Herb Neufeld
I almost can't remember when this hymn was not in my repertoire. As a young child, I heard it every Sunday afternoon as my parents sat down together in the living room to listen to The Billy Graham Gospel Program. "How Great Thou Art" was the theme song and each week the program started with the choir singing this hymn most majestically. As I grew up, the hymn became and has remained one of my all time favourites. I have always loved to sing it and have loved to play it on the piano or organ when accompanying congregations since it's the one song which really has them raising their voices. However, it wasn't until the spring of 2011 that the song spoke to me in a very real and personal way. I had undertaken the long pilgrimage known as the Camino de Santiago which is an ancient Christian pilgrimage through the northern part of Spain, ending at the Cathedral of Santiago which contains the remains of Jesus' disciple, James. As I began my long pilgrimage, leaving from the village of Roncesvalles near the French/Spanish border, I soon became overwhelmed by the amazing beauty around me‐‐the sights, the sounds, the smells. The wild flowers, sometimes in sprinkles and other times like carpets lifting their bright faces to the sun, the babbling brooks which I walked beside through the forests, the fields of grain waving gently in the breeze, the cows, sheep and horses in the pastures and the hundreds of birds singing loudly and joyously in the trees. Unconsciously I found myself humming this hymn and soon enough, I was singing it aloud: When through the woods and forest glades I wander, I hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze— Then sings my soul….!!!! This lovely hymn became my personal theme song throughout the 33 days of my pilgrimage. I don't think there was a day when I didn't sing it. I remained in "awesome wonder" while considering the universe which my God had made. My memory of my camino is complete with this hymn. Doris Mae Oulton I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry VU # 644 I have many favorites in the old style – I love Old Rugged Cross and Onward Christian Soldiers – they are comforting and familiar ……but I have become very fond of “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry.” I find it very emotional and often have a tear of two during the singing. It talks so eloquently of the faith journey – or the journey even when faith is waning. Isn’t that what we are always looking for – reassurance and continuity of love and caring. Cathy Rushton Guide Me, Oh Thou Great Jehovah VU # 651 One of my favourite hymns is "Guide Me, Oh Thou Great Jehovah." It is truly one of the great old standards and anyone who has stood near me on a Sunday morning will know that I love to belt it out. But the reason it is a particular favourite is because it reminds of two important men that I have known in my life ‐‐ both of whom considered it a treasure and both of whom are no longer with us. The first is my late father who passed away twenty four years ago. He was a terrible, awful singer (I did not inherit my musical abilities from him) but he always told us how much he loved that hymn. The other individual is the late Reverend Don Hilton who truly loved music and considered this hymn one of his favourites. I can picture him on Sunday mornings standing with his eyes closed singing it joyfully. Whenever we include this hymn in our worship, I think fondly of both of them. Elizabeth Schirmer One More Step Along the World I Go VU # 639 I selected “One More Step Along The World I Go” as my favourite hymn. When I hear the lively tune I want to start stepping along the world and get into action to bring justice to the peoples of the world. The hymn reminds me of the 2006 pilgrimage (led by Juanita McKinnon) to the island of Iona in Scotland. What a rich experience we shared living and studying in the centuries old Iona Abbey. When our travels ended; Anne Duncan rewrote this hymn to recount our Scottish adventure. When I listen to this music I recall a deeply meaningful time shared with dear friends. The words make me feel grateful for the many steps along the world I have travelled and how these journeys have enriched my life. I am reminded that I never travel alone as I am always travelling along with you. Debra Schweyer We Shall Go Out VU # 586 Favourite hymns come and go for me. There are favourite hymns of Advent, favourite hymns for rejoicing, or for lamenting... favourites that move me to tears and favourites that move me to action.... As my experiences of life give me different perspectives, my moods for music and lyrics change as well. However, I find I am drawn to strong, compelling music. Not marches, but with lift and energy. I confess that the gentle, flowing melodies, while lovely, just don’t capture my imagination. So, for now, I name this hymn a favourite. It is a favourite because of its wrenching, heartbreaking melody and the way it fills up a room, and my soul, with Hope. It sings of what I believe my faith is – something that compels me to go out from my comfortable pew or armchair and speak justice for those who cannot speak it for themselves. To stand and laugh and dance with those who seek a better world. To know that I, and the world around me, can be better if we trust in the power of Love. I hope that one day when my life is being remembered, this hymn will be sung, and you’ll really mean it!! If you were to ask me again next week... I would likely come up with something different! Margo Storey Saviour, Again to Your Dear Name We Raise VU # 426 I had a hard time trying to decide which hymn to write about, there are so many different ones that have special meaning to me. My final two choices were two hymns that are almost never sung in church. The hymn I choose not to talk about was the Christmas hymn “No Crowded Eastern Street” (VU #49. "Saviour, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise" as it will always be known to me, came into my life not as part of a normal worship service but as part of my first adult choir experience. This hymn is an evening benediction so for most people not fitting for morning services. It however, in its original form is a lovely piece of poetry with a simple but beautiful harmony. Unfortunately, in Voices United the words have been updated which to me does not sound just right but most of the meaning is still there. For some things I am still old school, this hymn needs to be in old English just as the 23rd Psalm and some of the key Christmas readings have to be the Kings James version feel right. My dad is a United Church minister, so I grew up involved with the church and started singing in the adult choir in High School around age 15. The choir director at the time was an amazing tenor and good family friend. At the end of each practice the choir sang "Saviour, again" without accompaniment as our closing prayer. Ever since this ritual, when I am having a hard timing praying I turn to the memory of the experience and words of this hymn. Judy Valenzuela Draw the Circle Wide VU # 145 “Draw the Circle Wide” by Gordon Light Draw the circle wide Draw it wider still Let this be our song, no one stands alone, standing side by side Draw the circle wide. I like the hymn for its ideas of inclusiveness and caring. It also brings to mind the beautiful hanging of the same name designed by Noreen Duncan. It was on display at The Bay in a 2010 exhibit in support of Grandmothers of Africa and the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Noreen used a photograph she had taken of two Masai children of Kenya looking out across the thorn fence protecting their village from lions (with a lion cleverly concealed in the fence). The girl and boy looked just like my own grandchildren, which drew me even more strongly to the image and to the hymn.