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First responses to the terrible day |
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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:
| Bruce Gillette has just sent an
update on this hymn, along with the text of another, equally
appropriate hymn. [10-11-01] |
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/
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| A war prayer
[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."
Twain apparently dictated it around 1904-05; it was
rejected by his publisher, and was found after his death among his
unpublished manuscripts. The story is in response to a particular war,
namely the Philippine-American War of 1899-1902, which Twain opposed. |
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 former member of the Witherspoon
board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian Church in
Flushing, NY. |
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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. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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Plan now for our 2010 Ghost Ranch
Seminar!
GHOST RANCH SEMINAR
July 26-August 1, 2010
WE’RE
ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
CONFRONTING THE STRUCTURES OF INJUSTICE |
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