In her article in the recent edition of Roundabout Central England, Hilary Johnson reflects on Pray24Brum. She included some references to music that you can listen to here.

During our Quaker hour, we interspersed words with periods of silence, reflection and music. Here are some of the sources used to help our reflection:

Silent Gathering & Our Life is Love from ‘Songs for the Journey’ (Jenny Vickers)

Adaptation from Advices & Queries: 1.02:1&2 from ‘Be Patterns’ (Jenny Vickers & Brett Lightweit Fletcher)

As we sit quietly, we pray for healing, as we hear the reassuring words from Handel’s Messiah:

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, and he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those who are with young. (Isaiah 40:11)

Come unto him, all ye that labour, come unto him, that are heavy laden, and he will give you rest. Take his yoke upon you, and learn of him; for he is meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11, vv.28–29)

During our closing silence, we reflected on Penington’s ‘Our life is Love’, set to music:

Our life is love, and peace, and tenderness; and bearing one with another, and forgiving one another, and not laying accusations one against another; but praying one for another, and helping one another up with a tender hand. (Isaac Penington, 1667)