David

My street is quiet now. Cars, buses, lorries, noisy polluters of our very breath, have fled in disarray.

As suggested by the title, the book takes a progressive approach to religion, seeing the critical biblical analysis of the past 200 years and the discoveries of science as friends rather than enemies in the ongoing quest for truth.

Creation’s splendour calls forth praise for Nature’s wealth, for vibrant life. This planet home, a wondrous gift, is threatened now by greed and strife.

Boundless love in all creation, Source and pulse of human life, Unseen hope of every nation, Healer of disease and strife;

Word of God from Bible page, Sacred wisdom for life’s way, Framed within a distant age, Breaking forth in power today.

Gladly we address our burdens Through the mystery of prayer, Lovingly support each other In the privilege of care.

Long years ago the promised Holy Spirit With wind and flame, in resurrection might Inspired true love, compassion rich within it, And now as then rekindles vision’s light.

For love is long-suffering and abounds in kindness. It is not arrogant or boastful. Love does not behave rudely. Neither self-serving nor quick to take offence, love never thinks the worst.

Love one another as I love you all; In others’ needs hear my insistent call. I bid you wear with me love’s seamless dress, Welcome the outcast from the wilderness.

Covenant is firmly established in Christian theology, but among mainstream denominations Methodism gives it particular emphasis. Dating from the time of John Wesley and adapted from seventeenth century Puritan ideology, the annual covenant service is an established part of Methodist tradition. In some quarters it has been welcomed as part of Methodism’s distinctive contribution to the World Church. Grounded in both the Old and New Testaments, covenant theology is surely beyond reproach. Or is it?

The popular press loves to highlight instances of abuse. It sells newspapers. And we may be encouraged to imagine that abuse is so widespread that it has become the norm. Hence a beguiling theory. If we can be led to believe that people in poverty are essentially the authors of their own misfortune and that the solution rests in their own hands, then we can cheerfully leave them to it and not worry unduly about their plight.

Religion is no more - Fragmenting humankind With doctrine, creed And narrowness of heart.

Praise the universal Spirit, Present as we draw each breath, Live and move and have our being, Pass at length the gate of death.

To Blow or not to Blow? That is the question facing many who encounter malpractice in the workplace or elsewhere – whether to blow the whistle on misdemeanours and predictably open a can of worms in the process, or to mind their own business and leave it to someone else.

Gladly we address our burdens Through the mystery of prayer, Lovingly support each other In the privilege of care.

1. Loving God in all creation, Source and pulse of human life, Unseen hope of every nation, Healer of disease and strife;

Life in abundance, Jesus says I bring to set the world ablaze, Exalt the weak and poor.

Eternal Love, your grace we praise Which shapes and comforts all our days, Evolves the world we know.

Hymn words from David Stevenson...". Welcome doubt! Refine our thinking, Urge us further into light; Lead us to a greater dawning. From the shadows of our night..."

We walk where reason may not tread     By faith’s audacious guiding,     Beyond the light by knowledge shed     We quest in grace confiding.

1. Eternal Love, your grace we praise Which shapes and comforts all our days, Evolves the world we know. Let worship, symbols come