Hymns for our planet
Each of the seven hymns below was written by the Revd Andrew Pratt in response to a talk on science, faith and the climate and ecological emergency, as part of Bramhall Methodist Church’s Praying for Our Planet 2021.
Andrew studied Zoology as a first degree and then obtained an MSc in Marine Biology. He had a spell teaching before experiencing a call to the Methodist ministry. It was during his training that he started writing hymns as a way of exploring theology. Many of his hymns have been incorporated in recent hymn books (including nine in Singing the Faith) and he has published several collections of his own.
Each of Andrew’s Praying for Our Planet hymns can also be found on his own blog, where you can explore more hymns and poems reflecting scientific themes, as well as a wide range of Andrew’s other hymns, thoughts and resources.
Climate Change, Nature and Us
Climate Change and Others
Lamenting our loss: finding hope in a world of wounds
What can we do?
Supporting and engaging with young people
We’re all in this together
Developing policy for sustainable development
Climate Change, Nature and Us
Original talk by Dr Mike Morecroft – Principal Climate Scientist, Natural England
Called to be partners with God in creation,
stewards of the biosphere, what can we do?
How can we work with the land as it’s changing,
working more flexibly, alter our view.
Here with a climate that’s moving, evolving,
summers are drier, but winters more wet,
storm, drought and flood, matched with wildfire, erosion,
raising the question how great is our debt?
Help us to learn how to live with each species,
neighbours to share with our planetary store.
Earth has a cycle, a sensitive balance,
ours to care fairly, destroy or restore.
God infuse learning, respect for creation,
give us humility, channel your grace;
all earth’s resources are precious, yet finite,
help us to value all life in this place.
Words: Andrew Pratt, 12-5-21 © 2021 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk. Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd
Metre: 11.10.11.10
Suggested tunes: STEWARDSHIP (Ruddle); alternatively, EPIPHANY HYMN; SPEAN
More science-themed hymns by Andrew at https://hymnsandbooks.blog/category/science-hymns-poems/
Climate Change and Others
Original talk by Mr Christopher Walsh – Tyndall Centre, University of Manchester
How we trust and work together
with our partners on this earth,
will sustain, or damn our planet,
place of nurture, home of birth.
Yet removed and isolated
we have not been stewards of faith,
as we pray with understanding
may we channel active grace.
May our prayer inspire our actions,
not just words or empty rhyme,
all our lives are interactive,
interwoven threads in time.
With a common understanding
sisters, brothers work as one,
reap the value of creation
as our time on earth is run.
Words: Andrew Pratt, 18-5-21 © 2021 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: 8.7.8.7
Suggested tune: ALL FOR JESUS
More science-themed hymns by Andrew at https://hymnsandbooks.blog/category/science-hymns-poems/
Lamenting our loss: finding hope in a world of wounds
Original talk by Dr Tim Gordon – Marine Biologist, Exeter University
The song of the sea, once melodious is dying,
that song is essential, the calling of home;
Great God, we lament, yet the sound of our crying
is quieter than breakers, the wash of the foam.
What work must we do to restore what is broken,
how can we encourage the choir of the sea?
The spirit is moving, the waters are wounded,
the oceans are anguished for life to be free.
You enter our suffering and love in our grieving,
you join us in weakness, when frailty is near,
God hold us, enfold us when hell overcomes us,
stand near to the tomb of our folly and fear.
You promise a covenant, both gift and promise.
Creation is groaning, still coming to birth.
Bring newness, renewal, a hope that is living,
from suff’ring bring joy for the whole of the earth.
We treasure the symphony, yet we are grieving,
we long for the chorus, the song of the sea,
bring light in the darkness and sound in the silence,
Great God, co-creator let all life be free.
Words: Andrew Pratt, 25-5-21 © 2021 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd
Metre: 12.11.12.11
Tune: STREETS OF LAREDO
More science-themed hymns by Andrew at https://hymnsandbooks.blog/category/science-hymns-poems/
What can we do?
Original talk by Professor John Evans – Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, University of Southampton
To work with God we need to learn
each nuance of this earth,
the way the planet shifts and moves,
its treasures, all their worth.
We search out every finite source,
yet sometimes lack the care
to measure out just what we need,
to leave some resting there.
And now we start to comprehend
not just this worldly wealth,
but how its use can build, enhance,
or damage earthly health;
not just the strength of humankind,
but climate’s synergy,
the balance on which life depends
for its vivacity.
So now we learn to understand
the calling of our race,
to stand in watch, to call and act,
within each time and place;
not just renewing white bleached bones
or raising dead to life,
but clothing every word with love,
where hatred once was rife.
Words: Andrew Pratt, 7-6-21 © 2021 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd
Metre: CMD
Suggested tune: KINGSFOLD
More science-themed hymns by Andrew at https://hymnsandbooks.blog/category/science-hymns-poems/
Supporting and engaging with young people
Original talk by Ms Steph Bryant – Youth and Schools Programme Co-Director, The Faraday Institute
Our view of the stars fosters wonder, through grandeur:
the sense of a cosmos within God’s embrace;
from infinite chaos we’ve grown on this planet
to learn, live and care, an inquisitive race.
We thrive as God nurtures our fragile existence,
our life is related to all life on earth,
and each generation must deepen in knowledge,
yet guard against arrogance in our own worth.
God give us compassion to live with our neighbours,
to value each species, conserve, and renew;
to challenge those actions that lead to destruction,
to cherish and never take more than our due.
And these are the gifts we must share with our children,
compassionate love and a God-given grace,
this love with no limits pervades all creation
from oceans and forests to infinite space.
Words: Andrew Pratt, 14-6-21 © 2021 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk. Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd
Metre: 12.11.12.11
Suggested tune: St Catherine’s Court
More science-themed hymns by Andrew at https://hymnsandbooks.blog/category/science-hymns-poems/
We’re all in this together
Original talk by Dr Cecilia Medupin – Dept of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester
Dry, cracked and crazed the water-bed lies empty,
the earth is thirsty, rain is slow to come,
this news is hidden, floods have filled the headlines,
the prophets now, not heard, might well be dumb.
This is the earth the ground of life, our being,
our home to share, to nurture and protect,
a gift of God for us and all God’s creatures,
to use our knowledge, work to good effect.
As people wait, the wells of life are barren,
how long, O God, before your people learn
that we must live and love and work together,
to answer needs that science can discern.
The brightest light of wisdom dims in sadness,
if we ignore the needs of all the earth,
if selfishly we dominate creation,
deny the love once given at our birth.
Great God, earth mother, father of creation,
we plead and cry that you will hear each voice,
then motivate your people, bring fresh waters,
till earth can sing and once again rejoice!
Words: Andrew Pratt, 18-6-21 © 2021 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk. Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd
Metre: 11.10.11.10
Suggested tune: Intercessor
More science-themed hymns by Andrew at https://hymnsandbooks.blog/category/science-hymns-poems/
Developing policy for sustainable development
Original talk by Dr Admos Chimhowu – Global Development Unit, University of Manchester
Just imagine death and illness,
overtaking life and health,
poverty of moral action
favouring our human wealth.
Politicians take decisions,
what is their priority:
Love of neighbour? Economics?
What does Christ expect of me?
Every person on this planet,
worthy of the dignity,
dignity of healthy living,
heir to our prosperity,
needs the food to answer hunger,
pure, fresh water for her thirst;
but injustice threads through choices
hoards the best, then trades the worst.
Conflict, climate, infestation,
ruined crops, polluted streams;
sign the time for human action:
not just words or empty dreams.
Faith and politics together,
people of each race and clime,
we must join in one endeavour:
save this earth while there’s still time!
Words: Andrew Pratt, 18-6-21 © 2021 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk. Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd
Metre: 8.7.8.7 D
Suggested tune: Bethany (Smart); Lux Eoi
More science-themed hymns by Andrew at https://hymnsandbooks.blog/category/science-hymns-poems/