Progressing the Journey

<ul><li><strong>Are you looking for fresh original hymn lyrics and liturgy for your church? </strong></li><li><strong>Would you like to celebrate diverse ways of being fully human in a loving faith community?</strong></li><li><strong>Is your church ready to explore </strong><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>current ideas about God - not just male not <em>up there</em> but down here with us - creation Jesus & theology?</strong></li></ul><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> </span></p><p>Then these 42 hymns 70 gatherings affirmations and blessings; along with poems & reflections <strong>will provide a valuable resource to support your worship ministry.</strong></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)> </span></p><p>Susan's lyrics that can be sung to well known tunes have been used at a Presbytery inauguration in communion at anniversaries for baptisms and for a same sex wedding. They have featured in Pride services Transgender Day of Remembrance commemorations during Bible Month and throughout the Season of Creation.</p><p> </p><p>Susan's kitset hymn <em>ln our world we find delight</em> written for original music by Vivien Chiu covers the whole Season of Creation 3-year cycle.</p><p> </p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Her lyrics and liturgy mark the seasons of the church year in unusual ways as well as celebrating: questioning rainbow themes faith stages the cosmos diverse orientations and identities gender equality 21</span><sup style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>st</sup><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)> century reformation interfaith connection prodigals postmodern church endangered species and the importance of finding the Self by going deep within.</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Praise for Progressing the Journey</strong></p><p><br></p><p>...I strongly recommend Susan Jones' Progressing on the Journey and her deeply contemplated and whole-hearted expression of distinctive New Zealand themes and images; this is a very rich new spiritual resource for troubled times.</p><p><em>Colin Gibson Hymnwriter Composer & Lay Preacher</em></p><p><br></p><p><strong>This book speaks deeply to me in Aotearoa about the variety of our people. Through these words different races genders and sexual orientations are all welcomed as part of the beauty of God's world.</strong></p><p><br></p><p>I love that Susan's taken old hymns and provided new words. She takes seriously what we're doing to the land and each other.</p><p><br></p><p>These lyrics and liturgies speak deeply to me about the God I know the God I see in the Bible but also in the land; its beauty the mysteries of creation and those around me.</p><p><br></p><p>I wish I'd had this book when preparing services each Sunday. Now it takes me deeper into God as part of my morning prayer. Thank you Susan.</p><p><em>Very Rev. Marg Schrader former Moderator Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand</em></p><p><br></p><p>...Jones has a concern for the dignity and inclusion of LGBTIQ people in church and community. She has written several prayers on this theme and for occasions such as Pride month and Transgender Memorial Day. <strong>I applaud her prompting us to be truthful honest and respectful about the variety of human experience.</strong></p><p>Finally I applaud her courage. She asks readers if they cannot use the whole of a prayer or hymn as written then why use it at all? Worship leaders often self-censor. I recommend this brave and poetic work.</p><p><em>Reviewed by Rev David Poultney in the October 2022 issue of NZ Methodist newspaper Touchstone</em></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>