Hymns

Hymn for the Month of Prayer and Action for Inter Faith relations
Tune: Ruth (Summer Suns are glowing….)
(Alternative Tune… Evelyns)

Faith to Faith we now live
in communities,
facing challenges that
often bring unease,
but when we start talking
as sincere new friends
peace may have a chance as
misconceptions end.

Faiths in this diverse world
must together fare,
recognising values
that in life we share.
In this human family
we must strive for peace;
find a way of loving
that must never cease.

God help different faiths their
prejudices leave,
to learn from each other,
looking to receive.
Sensitively listening
with respect and care:
honestly engaging;
making space to share.

God our prayer is simple
but the world is tough:
we plea for a safe world,
where each has enough.
Division's destroying
all that you have formed,
help us to restore it
and become transformed!

Gary Hopkins, member of the Methodist Youth Executive.

Hymn: O Source of many cultures
Tune: King's Lynn or Aurelia

O Source of many cultures,
of lives, beliefs and faith;
you brought us all together
to share one world in space;
          Now show us how to honour
          each vision of your way,
          to live within the tension
          of difference you display.

The colour and the culture,
that kept us both apart,
are gifts that we can offer,
a means for us to start
          a journey with each other,
          till hand in hand we show,
          through mutual understanding,
          respect and love can grow.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948)

Permission granted to the Methodist Church for reproduction on www.face2faith.org.uk (until 31.01.2010) to promote a Month of Prayer and Action for Inter Faith relations. During the “Month” (Feb 2007) churches may use the text freely with any inter-faith services. Subsequently, any use must be included on returns to CCLI (if the church has a current Church Copyright Licence) or alternatively, prior to use, pay a fee of £6.50 + VAT to Stainer & Bell.

Hymn for a Multi Faith Society
Tune: Sine Nomine – ‘For all the saints'

In this world where old beliefs collide,
Where faithful neighbours fall to narrow pride,
Help us to fling the Kingdom open wide.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Teach us to hear and heed the Spirit's call:
God present now with grace enough for all;
Great is such faith, although its seeds be small.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

In Him who broke through fear of every kind,
Peace tears away the masks we hide behind,
Revealing faith to which we once were blind.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

So praise the One our words fail to explain,
Whose loving will our creeds cannot contain,
Whose heart alone can heal creation's pain
Alleluia! Alleluia!

The Tenth Birthday Hymn of Touchstone in Bradford
Tune: Cwm Rhondda

Walk the streets and hear the voices
speak in tongues we do not know.
In the interchange of cultures
glimpse just how the world must go.
In the multi-faith-full city,
walk the streets and walk with God;
walk the streets and walk with God.

Climb the hills, above the fountains;
look back down on City Hall.
Share the struggles of the people,
with a Christ who died for all.
In the city in West Yorkshire,
climb the hills and walk with God;
climb the hills and walk with God.

Pause for breath and search for meaning
in the city's joy and strife.
Sing God's praises here in Bradford -
draw together threads of life.
Find new hope within the city,
pause for breath and walk with God;
pause for breath and walk with God.

Using Hymns and Psalms

There are many appropriate hymns in Hymns and Psalms , such as:

• 25 - He's got the whole world in his hand
• 36 - God is Love, let heaven adore him
• 48 - Thy ceaseless , unexhausted love
• 56 - Praise to the living God!
• 145 - Jesu, Jesu, Fill us with your love
• 220 - God is love: his the care
• 230 - There's a wideness in God's mercy
• 295 - Spirit of the living God
• 402 - For the healing of the nations
• 412 - We turn to you, O God of every nation
• 419 - Creator of the earth and skies
• 745 - O thou who camest from above
• 765 - Come, all who look to Christ today
• 776 - Make me a channel of your peace
• 777 - O Breath of life, come sweeping through us
• 798 - O loving Lord, who are for ever seeking

If you have access to Hymn Quest you could check under “Other Faiths” in the thematic index. In the 2007 edition a little over 2 dozen hymns are listed there. Care needs to be taken in choosing and using hymns.

In addition to the hymns mentioned from Hymns and Psalms you may have access to items such as Partners in Praise 171 (Bridge a river, span a gorge) or one or two suitable items in Come and Praise Beginning (Clap hands, sing out loud) and Come and Praise, Book 2 (We ask that we live and we labour in peace) published by the BBC and the BBC Hymn Book itself (Gather us in, Thou love that fillest all).

Some texts by Andrew Pratt in his collection Whatever Name or Creed are worth considering (eg. 39, Great God of many names; 62, O source of many cultures; 101 The day will come, must come, and soon).

The Tenth Birthday Hymn of Touchstone in Bradford Tune: Cwm Rhondda

The Tenth Birthday Hymn of Touchstone in Bradford
Tune: Cwm Rhondda