wfn.org | United Methodists Promote "Souper Bowl" Sunday with New Hymn

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

28-January-2000 
00046 
 
    United Methodists Promote "Souper Bowl" Sunday 
    with New Hymn by Presbyterian Pastor 
 
    by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.-On the eve of the 11th annual "Souper Bowl of Caring" - a 
national campaign started by Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, 
S.C. - the United Methodist Commission on Relief (UMCOR) has a new hymn 
posted on its web site to help participating churches. 
 
    The author of the new "Souper Bowl" hymn is the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey 
Gillette, co-pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Pitman, NJ.  She has 
written 47 hymns since July 1998 when she began writing her first hymn in a 
summer seminar at the Synod of the Trinity's synod school.   Her hymns have 
been utilized for disaster relief efforts -- "The Storm Came to Honduras" 
was used by many churches to highlight Hurricane Mitch relief -- as well as 
for the new Presbyterian curriculum and the upcoming Churchwide Gathering 
of Presbyterian Women this summer. 
 
    The Rev. Brad Smith, associate pastor of the Spring Valley church and 
founder of the "Souper Bowl," said the brand new hymn will be used as a 
resource for next year's "Souper Bowl." 
 
    The hymn: 
 
    God, You Give Us Recreation 
    (Tune: "There's a Wideness in God's Mercy") 
 
God, you give us recreation, rest and play when work is through, 
Game and sport and celebration, times that challenge and renew. 
In the days we spend together, in the feasts that we prepare, 
In the times of joy and laughter, may we know your loving care. 
 
Yet, O Lord, we see your crying for the ones who know no rest, 
For your children, hungry, dying, for the homeless and oppressed. 
May we, as your sons and daughters, share with open heart and hand, 
Till your justice flows like waters to the poor throughout the land. 
 
Bless, O Christ, our gifts of caring, for we know without a doubt: 
Soup and bread are made for sharing, hands are made for reaching out. Even 
in our times of playing, may we keep the vision clear: 
Keep us serving, loving, praying, welcoming your kingdom here. 
 
   Copyright c 2000 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Used 
by Permission. 

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