So, tomorrow I’m giving a seminar at the Festival of Preaching, and because I am a last minute kind of person, I didn’t get my handouts submitted on time, so just in case, here they are for those who like to see things written down as well as hear them.
I got an opportunity to pull together some of the things I’ve been going on about for the last decade and make them into a book. I just got my author copies, so it must be real. The book is about reflective practice and preaching, particularly all age preaching. And it has pictures!
You can hear me talk about the book on this podcast, courtesy of the Church Times.
Have you ever taken a small child to an ordination? It’s really important for children who have a significant adult being ordained to be able to take part and support that person at such a joyful and significant moment. It’s also really important to affirm that children are full members of the body of Christ- especially as we celebrate the way that God calls each of his people to ministries of different kinds.
But ordination services can be long, and while there’s lots going on, it may not feel very accessible to children. The original ‘ordination explored’ resources were compiled to help children engage with the event. You can download them all here:
https://reverendally.org/2017/09/14/ordination-explored/
We are now very excited to launch a revised ‘ordination explored – episcopal edition’ booklet designed for children who are attending the consecration of a bishop! You can download it here – make sure you print your copy before you set off if you’re heading to an episcopal consecration with children in tow.
A friend was lamenting the lack of all age songs suitable for Trinity Sunday (at her church their service will also reflect on the church as a community in which all offer their gifts). If you’re stuck on the same thing, how about one of these:
First, singing in a round is a nice way of matching form and content when thinking about distinction and unity, so how about a round to the tune ‘Frere Jacques’?
Praise the Father, Praise the Father,
Praise the Son, Praise the Son,
Praise the Holy Spirit, Praise the Holy Spirit,
One in three, three in one.
Second, here’s one I made earlier, really based on 1 Corinthians 12. The tune is from the game Tetris, but is actually a Russian folk song.
These words aren’t new. I wrote them after Orlando and Jo Cox. Then we sang them again after Manchester and Westminster Bridge and London Bridge. And Christchurch, and Sri Lanka. And San Diego. And the rest.
O God of all salvation
in every desperate hour
Look down at your creation
With pity and with power.
In all the pain we’re seeing,
For stranger as for friend
We’ll cling with all our being
To love that cannot end.
O God, your loving passion
Is deeper than our pain,
Look down, and in compassion
Bring us to life again.
When we are found despairing,
When all seems lost to sin,
We’ll hear your voice declaring
That love alone will win.
O God, when hate grows stronger,
With fear to pave its way,
The cry, ‘Lord, how much longer?’
With broken hearts we pray.
In all that is dismaying
In humankind’s freewill,
We’ll join our voices, praying
That love will triumph still.
O God, whose love will never
Be silenced, stalled or stilled,
Set us to work wherever
There’re bridges to rebuild.
We’ll take our life’s vocation
To make, like heav’n above,
In this and every nation
A kingdom built on love.
(Tune: Kings Lynn or other 7676D)
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