A hymn for days of terror

[9-12-01]

We just received this note and new hymn text, and we're proud to share it here.  The Rev. Bruce Gillette sent the hymn written yesterday by his wife and co-pastor, with this note:

Dear Doug,

Two of our church members are working as EMTs now in the relief efforts in New York. We live 100 miles from the city, but the need was so great that they were called in to assist. This morning our church's clerk of session was across the river in Bayonne to lead a training seminar and witnessed the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. Carolyn wrote this new hymn today as our family watched the news reports from New York City and Washington, DC. You are welcome to share the hymn with neighboring pastors or other online friends as a resource for congregational and ecumenical services.

O God, Our Words Cannot Express
ST. ANNE CM ("O God, Our Help in Ages Past")

O God, our words cannot express
The pain we feel this day.
Enraged, uncertain, we confess
Our need to bow and pray.

We grieve for all who lost their lives...
And for each injured one.
We pray for children, husbands, wives
Whose grief has just begun.

O Lord, we're called to offer prayer
For all our leaders, too.
May they, amid such great despair,
Be wise in all they do.

We trust your mercy and your grace;
In you we will not fear!
May peace and justice now embrace!
Be with your people here!

Tune: Attr. William Croft, 1708. Tune is in public domain.
Text: Copyright ©© 2001 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
305 South Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071

Phone: (856)-589-8444

Email: Bruce.Gillette@ecunet.org

Permission for free one-time use of this hymn is given. Please include the above copyright and contact information (in smaller type) when copying the hymn text or e-mailing to friends.

Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is the co-pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Pitman, NJ and author of Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship (Geneva Press, 2000).

Blessings on your ministry in these difficult times.

Grace and Peace,
Bruce

Bruce & Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, Co-Pastors
First Presbyterian Church, 305 South Broadway, Pitman NJ 08071
Office Phone: (856)-589-1050 Home Phone: (856)-589-8444
Email: Bruce.Gillette@ecunet.org Church Fax: (856)-589-1051
Church website: http://www.firstpresby.org/

[9-12-01]

Bruce Gillette has pointed us to a little story by Mark Twain, "The War Prayer," as "a helpful reminder to all who offer public prayers after the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington."

Voices of Sophia blog

Heather Reichgott, who has created this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:

After fifteen years of scholarship and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy, students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and thoughtful community.

Witherspoon’s Facebook page

Mitch Trigger, Witherspoon’s Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!

You can post your own news and views, or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you.

John Harris’ Summit to Shore blogspot

Theological and philosophical reflections on everything between summit to shore, including kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology, politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a member of the Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian Church in Flushing, NY.

John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive

A Presbyterian minister, currently serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton, Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and lightening up.

Got more blogs to recommend?

Plan now for ...

GHOST RANCH PEACE & JUSTICE WEEK
July 27 - August 2, 2009

Now's the time to make reservations to be a part of the 2009 Peace & Justice Week at Ghost Ranch, July 27-August 2. There are eight seminars to choose among, including the Witherspoon-sponsored class “New Eyes for Peace & Justice from the World Church” led by Clifton Kirkpatrick.

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