One of my new year resolutions… or desires, rather (as I don’t really believe in resolutions), is to hold, taste and be grateful for the life-giving moments. And I had one such extended moment this past week: the possibility of participating in the Clergy Summer School of the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane, on the theme of Sing a New Song: Experiencing Music as Theology.
In the beautiful setting of Southport School, with its beautiful buildings, views (and organ!)
I had my first real immersion in the ecumenical heritage of this part of the world.
And it was great. It is very beautiful to speak of something that is new and yet recognised – and when theology is ‘chewed over’ by and with people coming from the harvest fields and going back into them, the flavour is rich, because the spice has had time to take hold.
Of the many blessings was the interweaving of themes and experiences with composer and author Geoff Bullock.
Strange (or is it?) how people can come from such different paths and find themselves in perfect harmony on the transforming grace and mercy of God. So it made complete sense to finish off in song together.
Thank you Geoff, for accompanying me singing Lead Kindly Light, and inviting me in to sing The Power of your Love – new lyrics and all – with you. That song marked a whole groups of us journeying in music ministry in England quite a while ago. It was an honour to make music with you, as well as to listen to the sound of God’s presence in your journey and find resonances in the room and in my own. God is faithful.
So as we live out what the Church calls ordinary time, although it never really is, I’m thanking Jesus for the way He leads our lives, and for the mercy upon which we walk…