The world dries up
Although most of my hymns aim to build hope, there are times when we just need to stop and acknowledge our grief at the devastation that climate change has already brought and our fears for the future. This hymn expresses that pain but makes no attempt to resolve it. It might be used to lead into a time of contemplation with hope being built in … Continue reading The world dries up
Singing our vision
This hymn is more about the wider ecological emergency than it is about the specifics of climate change but still feels at home within this collection. Few people will appreciate the differences between the songs of different birds, and this may offer an opportunity to play some recordings to introduce the hymn to the congregation and explore this aspect of biodiversity. The bird names are … Continue reading Singing our vision
Like a butterfly
As this blog-site demonstrates I am fascinated by the use of the butterfly as a Christian symbol. Although a search of “butterfly as Christian symbol” will find several sites making claims that this is part of Christain tradition, I’ve yet to see one that cites a convincing example. Anyway, even if the Buttefly hasn’t been used in this context before, I firmly believe it should … Continue reading Like a butterfly
Here we are in 2050
I’ve recently written a number of hymns as part of my the communications module of my masters degree in Sustainability and Behaviour Change. This is the first I’m publishing on this blog and was inspired by a challenge from one of my lecturers to imagine a day in 2050. My immediate thoughts were dystopian, but then I decided I wanted to capture a vision of … Continue reading Here we are in 2050
Large Blue at the Big One
Large blue is off to the Big One in London on Saturday 22nd April. I’ve turned it into a costume so you should be able to spot it in the crowd or on any TV coverage there might be, If you’ve landed on this page from the QR code on the butterfly then you can read about its significance at this link. Continue reading Large Blue at the Big One
Song Thrush
One of our creative writing exercises this week was to write a poem about an animal. So here it is: Streaked, brown and creamy pouting chestVulnerable, visible, perched high and separateSmall silhouette against a pearl sky. . Singing for no particular audienceHope born of innocenceJoy of not seeing the future. Continue reading Song Thrush
New Year 2050
This is the second song for communal singing that I’ve written this week (click here to view the other). This one was inspired by an exercise we were given to spend three minutes writing a piece starting “As new year dawns in 2050 … “. I have spent a little longer than three minutes though! To the tune of Londonderry Air (Danny Boy). As new … Continue reading New Year 2050
Morning is Breaking
I’m currently studying for a masters degree in Sustainability and Behaviour Change. On the most recent residential week, looking at Communication, we were challenged to keep a creative diary over the week. Earlier in the session I’d been talking about how positive I find it to use hymns to explore climate and wider environmental messages with church groups, and how I miss this when sharing … Continue reading Morning is Breaking
Comparing my carbon footprints
In a recent post I compared a number of carbon footprint calculators that are now available on the web. In conducting my research I was interested to find out whether they agreed or not. They all ask different questions so I’d expect some difference in the results. I did, however, try to give consistent answers as far as I could. Some give an option to … Continue reading Comparing my carbon footprints
Which is the best carbon footprint calculator?
Our carbon footprint is a simple concept representing the greenhouse gas emissions for which we are responsible in any given year. It is the most useful tool we have for reducing those emissions. As well as giving an overall total the footprint also tells us which aspects of our lifestyle are leading to the largest emissions. We can use this information to plan how we … Continue reading Which is the best carbon footprint calculator?
Large Blue 