wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Presbyterian pastor pens election year hymn

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Note #8542 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

04473
October 20, 2004

Presbyterian pastor pens election year hymn

Carolyn Winfrey Gillette hymn inspired by NCC Christian principles

by Carol Fouke
National Council of Churches News Service

NEW YORK - The National Council of Churches' (NCC) "Christian Principles in
an Election Year" have inspired a new hymn - "In Times of Great Decision," by
the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, whose hymns are sung in a wide variety of
denominational and ecumenical  settings.

	Gillette and her husband, the Rev. Bruce Gillette, are co-pastors of
Limestone Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, De, where they moved two months
ago after 10 years of service together at the First Presbyterian Church in
Pitman, NJ.

	"Bruce found the principles on the Web, and he said, 'You know what?
This would make a really neat hymn,'" Gillette said.

	She agreed, commenting, "The principles are very biblical, and
express the faith we believe, have passed down and try to follow. And they
bring focus to what we feel is important in this election.

	The NCC's "Christian Principles in an Election Year" may be
downloaded from www.ncccusa.org/news/04christianprinciplesstory.html.

	"Some people say we should separate the 'political' and 'religious'
sides of life, but I believe we are supposed to carry our faith convictions
into the way we vote and the way we choose our leaders," she said.

	The NCC's "Christian Principles in an Election Year" apply
well-established ecumenical principles to both domestic and foreign policy
issues, and address issues of war, poverty, immigration, education, health
care, racial justice, distress in U.S. inner cities and rural communities,
the environment and the criminal justice system.

	They urge domestic policies that build "communities shaped by peace
and cooperation" and a foreign policy "based on cooperation and global
justice."

	The NCC says it hopes all persons of faith - whether liberal or
conservative in their views - will study the principles and use them as they
evaluate candidates for public office.

	Since mid-July, when they were posted to the NCC Web site, more than
12,000 copies of the principles and related study questions have been
downloaded and duplicated by the thousands for congregational and individual
use.

	Gillette said that she enjoyed taking the 10 principles - written to
speak more to the "head" - and capturing their essence in a four-verse hymn.

	"When you write a hymn, you have to think a little differently and
use phrases that speak more to the heart," she said. "To me, a hymn is always
a prayer. It can have depth, content and theological integrity, but it is
always a prayer."

	Many churches have used Gillette's hymns. "O God, Our Words Cannot
Express", a hymn she wrote on Sept. 11, 2001, was used by thousands of
churches, featured on national PBS-TV in the United States and the BBC-TV in
the United Kingdom, and made into a music video by Noel Paul Stookey of
"Peter, Paul and Mary" and Emmy-winner Pete Staman.

	Church World Service, the humanitarian agency, has a Web page with
links to postings of 15 of Gillette's hymns. She was commissioned to write a
hymn for the inauguration service for Churches Uniting in Christ. The United
Methodist Church promoted her hymn for peace ("God, Whose Love is Always
Stronger") before the war with Iraq. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America has sent one of Gillette's hymns to all of their congregations. The
American Baptists sang her jubilee hymn at their national meeting. The new
Episcopal hymnal supplement has four of her hymns in it.

	The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation's Geneva Press has published
a book of her hymns titled Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship.

	Gillette is granting free one-time use of "In Times of Great
Decision" to congregations and ecumenical gatherings, and requests a donation
to the National Council of Churches - www.ncccusa.org - or to Church World
Service - www.churchworldservice.org - for multiple uses. Permissions and
other questions may be directed to the Gillettes at   bcgillette@comcast.net.

	The full text of the hymn - suggested tune is Samuel Sebastian
Wesley's AURELIA 7.6.7.6 D ("The Church's One Foundation") or Welsh folk
melody LLANGLOFFAN ("O God of Every Nation"):

		       In Times of Great Decision

	In times of great decision, Be with us, God, we pray!
	Give each of us a vision Of Jesus' loving way.
	When louder words seem endless And other voices sure,
	Remind us of your promise: Your love and truth endure.

	O God, whose gifts are countless, You send us bearing peace.
	You fill our dreams with justice For all communities.
	You give us global neighbors That all may justly live.
	May those we choose as leaders Reflect the life you give.

	O God, you bridged the distance; You opened wide your door.
	You call us by our presence To reach to serve the poor.
	You teach us: Welcome strangers! Seek justice on the earth!
	May those we choose as leaders See every person's worth.

	You call on every nation To put aside all greed,
	To care for your creation And for your ones in need,
	To care for those in prison, For children, for the ill.
	In times of great decision, may we choose leaders well.

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