Song of Thomas

In the spring of 2006, I left the security of a settled ministry position in the Indianapolis suburbs and embarked on a journey to plant a new church in downtown Chicago.  During the time of transition, I went on a retreat in Florida, and just before starting the retreat, I was honored to fill the pulpit at United Church of Christ Congregational and Disciples in New Smyrna Beach the Sunday after Easter for my dear friend and colleague, Rev. Sarah Lund.  The text for that week was that of "doubting" Thomas, whom I am convinced gets a bad rap throughout history.

Thomas' questioning, his desire for proof, didn't hinder his faith.  Instead, his reaching out a hand in the dark meant he was able to touch another's pain and to believe.

In writing my sermon, I felt inspired to write this song - partly about Thomas, but mostly about me.

Song of Thomas

John 20:19-31, Easter 2C

Words and Music by Rachel Frey

It’s a scary place

This place here without you.

It’s a scary place

   We long to lock our doors

   We know what this world can do

   It’s a scary place

Chorus 1

     And I will not believe

     Until I touch your wounds

     And I will not follow

     Unless I see you’ve been there, too

It’s a scary way

The way to follow you

It’s a scary way

   But we cannot stay inside

   The world needs to hear good news.

   But it’s a scary way

Chorus 1

It’s a scary life

This life you’ve called us to

It’s a scary life

   But we can step out in faith

   ‘Cause your word of peace is true

   What a blessed life

Chorus 2

     My Lord and My God

     I believe.  I touched your wounds

     And now I can follow

     Because I know I walk with you.

Copyright © 2006 by Rachel Frey.  All rights reserved.

We Remember

In the fall of 2004, I preached at Avon Christian Church as part of a series on the Ten Commandments.  My sermon was on "Thou Shalt Not Kill", or rather, since we were spinning each of the commandments to the positive, "You Shall Embrace Life".  In this sermon, I shared with the congregation a very personal story of my involvement with a capital murder trial which ultimately led to my position in opposing capital punishment and my commitment to non-violent conflict resolution.  I had been afraid that I would break down and cry during the sermon, but surprising myself, I did not.  However, as I stood at the communion table later in the service and began the prayer of confession, I lost it.  The tears just started to flow and would not stop.  I somehow made it through the prayer and the words of institution, and then it was time for the elders to pray for the elements.  First one and then the other elder struggled through their prayers as they were both in tears as well.  I am not sure exactly what transpired that day, why we were all so moved at the same time.  I have long tried to put that experience at the communion table into words.  The best I have been able to come up with is this song, which pretty much wrote itself that evening.

I was honoured to perform this song at the ordination service of my dear friend and colleague, Rev. Sandhya Jha.

We Remember

Words and Music by Rachel Frey

You showed us how to love, and you told us to forgive.
You said we shall embrace life, and then you showed us how to live.
But in the violence of this world we often fail to live your peace.
So we ask for your forgiveness and we call out for release.

Chorus: 
And we remember
Though we don't always understand
How the power that can change the world is broken in your hands.
We remember
How you took the bread and wine
And transformed an act of violence into living so sublime.
We remember.
We remember.

We meet you at this table with blood upon our hands.
So we confess the hatred and the killings in our lands.
And we lay our lives before you, crying, "Purify our hearts.
Make us vessels of your healing for both near and distant parts."

Chorus

It's not enough to say, "I'd never kill my neighbor."
When there is anger in my soul.
We must intentionally touch and bless each other
For in love, we are made whole.

We remember.
We remember.

You showed us how to love, and you and you told us to forgive.
You said we shall embrace life, and then you showed us how to live.

Chorus

Copyright © 2004 by Rachel Frey.  All rights reserved.

 
UPDATE: In June 2016, I recorded this video of me performing this song after the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

Breathing Life

In February 2006, the Open & Affirming Ministry Team of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) held a three day conference/retreat to support, sustain, and equip our O&A congregations within the denomination. The theme of the event was "Breathing Life" based upon Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones rising up to new life. The themes for the three respective days of the conference were "Unite - Empower - Create". As a member of the O&A Team, I composed the event theme song, a praise hymn, based upon this theme.

If you would like the music and chords, please contact me.

Breathing Life

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Words and Music by Rachel Frey

Refrain:

Come from the winds and breathe upon us

That we may live, your breath* within us.

Come, breathing life.

Repeat - *life

1.         Uniting Spirit, rush to this place.           
            Join us together in Love’s embrace.
            Stir us to rise, and let us rise as one,
            That we may continue the good work that you’ve begun.
            Uniting Spirit, breathing life.

Refrain - * love

2.         Empowering Spirit, blow in our midst.
            Breathe in us courage – to touch, to bless.
            Ignite our hearts with your refining flame.
            Inspire us to welcome all of your children in your name.
            Empowering Spirit, breathing life.

Refrain - * fire

3.         Creating Spirit, flow through our lives.
            Justice is dawning; open our eyes.
            Show us the world to which you’re giving birth,
            And help us to help you building your realm here on earth.
            Creating Spirit, breathing life.

Refrain - * voice, truth (joy, light, power, etc)

Refrain 2:  Uniting, Empowering, Creating Spirit, breathing life.  Repeat

Copyright © 2005 by Rachel Frey.  All rights reserved.