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Precious Lord, take my hand,Lead me on, let me stand,I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;Through the storm, through the night,Lead me on to the light: Take my hand, precious Lord,Lead me home. Alicia is 17. She has been very unwell recently: ‘I know that this is only a small part of myContinue reading “Precious Lord”

Musing on recent lessons learnt: fears on ‘returning to normal’ Coronavirus Coronavirus has reminded us of our weakness and vulnerability I fear that, focusing on ourselves, we shall lose sight of others still suffering with coronavirus. 10-year-old Rahaf fled Syria with her family seven years ago to an overcrowded Lebanon refugee settlement. The risk ofContinue reading “Learning Lessons and Facing Fears”

There is a balm in GileadTo make the wounded wholeThere is a balm in GileadTo heal the sin-sick soul On Sunday Edward Colston’s statue was dumped in Bristol harbour. Colston was an investor, board member eventually deputy governor of the Royal African Company, the most prolific slave-trading company in British history. During his period itContinue reading “Balm in Gilead”

Yesterday George Floyd’s brother Philonise spoke before the House judiciary committee calling on Congress to act over police violence: ‘…make the necessary changes that make law enforcement the solution – and not the problem… Teach them what it means to treat people with empathy and respect…’ Home Secretary Priti Patel, described in the House ofContinue reading “Black Lives Matter”

When you walk through a stormHold your head up highAnd don’t be afraid of the dark… Carousel tells of millworker Julie Jordan and carousel barker Billy Bigelow. They fall in love and marry. The troubled Billy is violent towards Julie. Involved in a bungled burglary he kills himself. Nettie, Julie’s cousin, sings ‘You’ll Never WalkContinue reading “Two More ‘Passing’ Songs”

Coronavirus has made us consider death… Bishop Michael Curry reflected on George Floyd: “… For one man to place his knee on the neck of another and to… choke the breath of life that God gave out of him… it is unconscionable, it’s unthinkable, and it’s horrible.” Yesterday the mother of suicide victim Caroline FlackContinue reading “Musings on Passing”

Would you know my name If I saw you in heaven? Will it be the same If I saw you in heaven?  I must be strong, and carry on Cause I know I don’t belong Here in heaven.  Eric Clapton wrote this song following his son’s death. Clapton’s musical achievements as a legendary guitarist are well documented, as are hisContinue reading “2 Songs in Passing”

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!Heir of salvation, purchase of God,Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood Fanny Crosby was born in New York in 1820. Blinded as a baby, her father died and her 21 year old mother had to work. Her grandmother brought her up and educatedContinue reading “Blessed Assurance”

On Thursday I mused on ‘We Shall Overcome.’ The hymn-spiritual of 100 years ago was ‘I Will overcome’. It was changed to ‘We Shall Overcome’ to unite white and black people in the civil rights struggle. Some from the black community argued that it should stay ‘I’. They said that if you say, ‘We shouldContinue reading “When ‘we’ becomes ‘I’”

The musical ‘Wicked’ tells the story of Elphaba, the smart, notorious, green Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the beautiful, popular, blonde, Good Witch of the South. Starting as best friends their lives follow different courses and they drift apart. In a final reconciliation they realise the influence they have had on each other,Continue reading “Changed for Good”