Hark, the glad sound - the Saviour comes!

Frideswide is an obscure saint and very strongly located not just in Oxford, but in Christ Church. I wrote this hymn for her feast day (and our patronal festival) in 2022. It's dedicated to Richard Peers, then our Sub Dean, a priest of huge integrity, wisdom and gentleness from whom I learnt a lot. The tune is Highwood, because I love it. This is the house which holy Frideswide founded strong in God’s peace, unshaken, unafraid, choosing a life of prayer, of love and service, she taught God’s truth and brought God’s gracious aid. Once in this place, she healed God’s hurting people; here from her faith she built a house of grace; now in her presence we her light remember as she beholds our God with glowing face. Here stands the shrine, its fragments found and mended – marble and stone once carved with faithful care – craft that remade it after years of absence; her silent presence and her steadfast prayer. And here we come, to ask again for healing, kneeling in worship at the broken ...

A hymn for the beginning of new ministry, in a place where prayer has been valid. (Hebrews 11:32-12:2) (Written to celebrate the installation of Sarah Foot as Dean of Christ Church in 2023.) With saints of all the ages we praise our holy Lord, whose death has opened heaven, whose life was once outpoured, who lives and reigns forever, who makes his people one: one with the saints in glory, with hope of life to come. Our kindred are the saints who worked wonders with each breath  and we like them are called by the God who conquered death. So strengthened and befriended by those who went before, may we like them bring healing, and like them hope restore. *Here Frideswide sang God's praises, here prayer was daily heard, a House on firm foundations and trusting in the Word, and at this new beginning our prayers and praise arise: O bless our priests and people, God merciful and wise. We pray for all who worship, we pray for all who lead; our loving God will give us the daily strength we ...