“Praise Ruah, Spirit Who Gives Birth” Video
Rev. Larry E. Schultz conducts the Chancel Choir of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, Raleigh, North Carolina, in singing “Praise Ruah, Spirit Who Gives Birth,” with pictures from various artists, to the tune of “All Creatures of Our God and King.” Rev. Schultz and Pullen Memorial Baptist Church practice an expansive, progressive faith through their worship and ministries. (For more on the prophetic ministry of Rev. Schultz and Pullen, see: https://jannaldredgeclanton.com/blog/?p=319.)
Ruah, the Hebrew word for “Spirit,” comes at the beginning of the Genesis account of creation. “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit (Ruah) was moving over the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). The Hebrew word for “Spirit” (Ruah) is feminine in form. Ruah moved over the waters to bring forth all life. The word Ruah also means “breath.” Ruah is the Breath of Life. Ruah breathes Her life into all, giving birth to the universe.
This central picture at the beginning and throughout the video is Lucy A. Synk’s “Ruach” painting © Lucy A. Synk. Used with permission. http://lucysynkfantasyart.com/print_gallery.
This photograph in the video is of Rev. Sheila Sholes-Ross, co-chair of the national, ecumenical, multicultural Equity for Women in the Church Community. The purpose of this Community is to advocate and network for clergywomen across denominations and cultures to facilitate access and congregational receptivity so that they find clergy positions in order to transform church and society.
This video calls us to celebrate and conserve the world of beauty, peace, and justice created by Ruah. As you watch and listen, imagine what our world would be like if we praised “Her” as well as “Him.”
This video is a gift for your New Year!
Praise Ruah,* Spirit who gives birth to worlds unknown and life on earth. O praise Her! Hallelujah! Stars dancing mystery through the night show forth her joy and endless light. Praise Ruah! Hallelujah! Praise the great Creative Spirit! Come and praise Her! Day dawns at sound of Ruah’s voice; wake all creation to rejoice: O praise Her! Hallelujah! Sun gleams like diamonds on the dew; birds join to sing the hymn anew: Praise Ruah! Hallelujah! Praise the great Creative Spirit! Come and praise Her! Tall trees in red and golden dress and ripened fruits their Maker bless: O praise Her! Hallelujah! Come now and gather harvest home; all beings feel a deep shalom. Praise Ruah! Hallelujah! Praise the great Creative Spirit! Come and praise Her! Cold winds and drifts of icy snow part us from all that we would know. O praise Her! Hallelujah! Each soul awaits in slumber deep Her warming love to wake from sleep. Praise Ruah! Hallelujah! Praise the great Creative Spirit! Come and praise Her! Fresh tulips lift their crimson cups; hope newborn in the heart leaps up; O praise Her! Hallelujah! Wildflowers rising into view clothe fertile fields in rainbow hue; Praise Ruah! Hallelujah! Praise the great Creative Spirit! Come and praise Her!*Hebrew word for “Spirit”
Words © Jann Aldredge-Clanton; Stanza 4, Karen Ivy; Music Arrangement © Larry E. Schultz; from Inclusive Hymns for Liberating Christians (Eakin Press, 2006)
Recording © Jann Aldredge-Clanton & Larry E. Schultz; from Inclusive Hymns for Liberating Christians CD (Eakin Press, 2007)
Music: Chancel Choir of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, Raleigh, North Carolina (http://www.pullen.org/). Conductor Rev. Larry E. Schultz
Visual Artists:
Lucy A. Synk: “Ruach” painting © Lucy A. Synk. Used with permission. http://lucysynkfantasyart.com/print_gallery
Stacy Boorn: “Urban Taxi” photo © Stacy Boorn. Used with permission. http://stacy.awegallery.com/; http://www.awegallery.com/index.php?page=artists&aid=1
Alice Heimsoth: photo of Rev. Stacy Boorn and some members of Ebenezer/herchurch Lutheran, San Francisco (http://www.herchurch.org/) © Alice Heimsoth. Used with permission. http://www.aliceheimsoth.com/Other/herchurch-Easter-2012/22366832_Whhj3j#%21i=1792348850&k=DT4MQbt
David Clanton: photos of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church Choir, Orchestra, & Congregation, and tulip blooming in the snow © David M. Clanton. Used with permission. http://www.davidclanton.com/; http://david-clanton.artistwebsites.com/
Recording by: Ward Productions, Pinehurst, North Carolina
Your “Ruah” video is just beautiful. Great lyrics and wonderful pictures!
THANK YOU! What a powerful piece! Your work is inspiring and personally very helpful.
Beautiful video! Thank you.
Awesome–thanks for sending. Goose bumps! Posted on Facebook!
What a fine choir with such rich and full sound, yet not really that many voices. Of course, it also makes me proud that this is North Carolina!
The pictures for this video had me in tears several times, partic;ularly the one of Ruah embracing the earth and blowing her life-giving breath around it…with such love, so much love. Thank you!
Thanks for this lovely gift. The words are beautiful.
Oh, this is a gift. Thank you for all you do, and for making heaven ring with the sound of justice.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!!
Great! Thanks so much, Jann. I will send the link to my class on Women & Religion.
Oh, thank you!!!! How beautiful! What a beautiful choir singing this glorious song. You are bringing world peace.
Thank you!!
Thank you, Jann, for sharing these wonderful songs with beautiful photography! I enjoy them very much.
Very beautiful. Thank you. Listen to it every Sunday.