OTHER RESPONSES / SONGS:
*NEW* Our Tears, Falling Down Like Rain - a response written for the final Hymn Festival of the 2018 Conference of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada. It’s a Kyrie eleison (Lord/God, have mercy), a classic penitential text in the Christian tradition, rooted in a verse from Psalm 126. A recording can be found here.
Trust the Work - a contemplative chant based on a poem by Jesuit priest, philosopher, and paleontologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J. A recording can be found here.
The Journey of a Thousand Miles - a rhythmic journey song based on a teaching of Taoist teacher Laozi. A recording can be found here.
Pray With Our Feet - a new protest song based on a quotation by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel that speaks back to the shallow 'thoughts and prayers' and inaction of American politicians in face of ongoing mass shootings and gun violence. A recording of the piece can be found here.
God Calls You Good - affirming our identity as beloved children of God, this lyrical song was written as a sermon response for the First Sunday of Lent (Year A). A recording of the piece can be found here.
I Can Do Small Things - a rhythmic, minor-key sending song based on a quotation of Saint Teresa of Calcutta. It was written as a sending song for the Not So Churchy community in New York City. A recording of the piece can be found here.
Christ Has Broken Down the Wall - a Gospel-inspired paraphrase of Ephesians 2:14-18 written for a meeting of the Presbytery of Southern New England. It was sung as a refrain while worshippers listened and responded to Scripture. It could also be used for the Passing of the Peace. A recording of the piece can be found here.
We Are Forgiven, Loved, and Free – a joyful, Gospel-inspired tune that invites us to share the blessing of forgiveness and peace with others. It was written as a sung response to the Assurance of Pardon but can also be used for the Passing of the Peace, Baptism, a Benediction, or as a general song of praise. A recording of the piece can be found here.
Be Rooted in Hope – a joyful blessing song for the Passing of the Peace or dismissal, it can be taught quickly by a leader/soloist with the congregation/group echoing each phrase. A recording of the piece can be found here.
Christ Has No Body Now But Yours – St. Teresa of Avila’s well-known prayer is set as a flowing, contemplative song. It is well-suited to themes of service, stewardship, incarnation/embodiment or can be used during Communion.
Fountain Fullness of Everlasting Love - inspired by words of the 13th century theologian Bonaventure, this song names God in the movement and flow of water, expanding upward, downward, outward, and inward. A harmonized setting for SATB choir is also available for purchase. A recording of the piece can be found here.
Holy One, We Welcome You - an expansive language praise song written for Holy Ground in Long Beach, CA that serves as a Gathering Song, Introit, Call to Prayer, or as a general song of praise. A recording of the piece can be found here.
The Holy One Has Chosen You – a song of blessing for an individual who was beginning a gender transition, written for the Not So Churchy community in Brooklyn. The piece also works beautifully for Baptism, Renewal of Baptism, Ordination or any other time we celebrate our identity as beloved children of God. A recording of the piece can be found here.
The Serenity Prayer – written for the Lifeline recovery community in NYC, this setting of a well-known prayer attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr would work well in many contexts including 12-step and recovery-focused meetings, services of healing prayer, or even as a Prayer of Illumination. A recording of the piece can be found here.
With Joy and Thanksgiving (forthcoming) – in the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Book of Common Worship offers a response at the conclusion of the Baptism service and when welcoming new members to the congregation. An upbeat refrain in Afro-Caribbean style and a solo verse from I Corinthians give these familiar words fresh energy.