Supporting Ukraine and the Anglican Chaplaincy in Kyiv

Many Chaplaincies and individuals have been in touch with the Diocese wanting to give practical and financial help to our people and others in Ukraine. This was encouraged by members in Kyiv who were taking part in the service of prayers last night.The Diocese will keep updating the information on the diocesan website in theContinue reading “Supporting Ukraine and the Anglican Chaplaincy in Kyiv”

Prayers Across Europe for Peace in Ukraine

From Bishop Robert Re Prayers Across Europe for Peace in Ukraine on Tuesday 1st March Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The situation in Ukraine is very deeply troubling. President Putin is leading a completely unjustified and aggressive war against Ukraine, a war which many ordinary Russians deeply deplore. Leaders from many Christian churches, includingContinue reading “Prayers Across Europe for Peace in Ukraine”

Great is thy faithfulness

Great is thy Faithfulness was written by Thomas Chisholm (1866_1960) with music composed by William M. Runyan (1870_1957) in America. The words attest to the changelessness of God and gained huge popularity from its association with Billy Graham. Shaun Yong 1. Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father.There is no shadow of turning withContinue reading “Great is thy faithfulness”

Be still, my soul

‘Be still, my soul’ was originally an 18th century German pietist hymn by Catharina von Schlegel. It was translated into English in 1862 by Jane Borthwick in Edinburgh. The tune we now associate the words with came from Finland by the composer Jean Sibelius, who wrote a patriotic symphonic poem called ‘Finlandia’. But it tookContinue reading “Be still, my soul”

All things bright and beautiful

‘All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.’ This is a hymn that celebrates the creation in which we live and which we are. It’s widely popular in churches, school chapels, and even beyond the church. Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-95), of ‘OnceContinue reading “All things bright and beautiful”

Praise my soul the King of Heaven

‘Praise my soul the King of heaven’ is a paraphrase of Psalm 103 by Henry Francis Lyte, who published it in 1834. It is sung to a tune by John Goss (1800-80) which has achieved universal popularity. Unique among hymns, Goss wrote a different accompaniment to each of the four verses, each with its ownContinue reading “Praise my soul the King of Heaven”

Eternal Father, strong to save

‘Eternal Father, strong to save’ also known as the Royal Navy Hymn, is a 19th century English hymn traditionally associated with seafarers. Written by William Whiting in 1860, it is a prayer of safe passage ‘for those in peril on the sea’. The popular Victorian hymn composer John Bacchus Dykes wrote the tune to thisContinue reading “Eternal Father, strong to save”

Guide me, O thou great Redeemer

Guide me, O thou great Redeemer ‘Guide me, O though great redeemer’ is without doubt one of the great Welsh hymns. It has a tune that is difficult to forget and a text that is personal but not sentimental. The words contemporises the Exodus from Egypt, so that the singer identifies their own ‘pilgrim’ withContinue reading “Guide me, O thou great Redeemer”