Hymn in Celebration of the Supreme Court’s Ruling on Marriage Equality

My heart is filled with joy over the triumph of love, justice, freedom, truth, and equality. Marriage equality is not only a huge victory for LGBTQ persons but for all people. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (Martin Luther King, Jr.). I would add: The victory of justice anywhere is a victory for justice everywhere.

Believing in the power of music to continue bringing transformation, I offer this hymn in celebration of marriage equality and with the hope that justice and love will keep moving from the courts to the hearts of all people everywhere.

Praise the Source of All Creation

(Genesis 1:1-27, 31; Proverbs 3:13-18)

Praise the Source of all creation, giving life throughout the earth,

blessing every love relation, filling all with sacred worth.

Celebrate all forms and colors, varied beauty everywhere,

streams of goodness overflowing, wondrous gifts for all to share.

 

Many genders, many races, all reflect Divinity;

many gifts and many graces help us be all we can be.

Partners on this path of freedom, taking down each stifling wall,

we will open doors of welcome, bringing hope and joy to all.

 

Long have many been excluded, judged and scorned by custom’s norms;

everyone will be included as we work to make reforms.

Let us end abuse and violence, bringing justice everywhere,

joining Holy Wisdom’s mission, helping all be free and fair.

 

Equal marriage, healing, freeing, nurtures body, mind and soul,

reaffirming every being, all created good and whole.

Come, rejoice and sing together, celebrating life and love;

praise the great Creative Spirit, living in us and above.

Words © 2012 Jann Aldredge-Clanton

(suggested tunes: BEECHER, HYFRYDOL, HYMN TO JOY)

Note on this Hymn:

In 2012 the Religious Institute sponsored its first hymn contest on the subject of the gift of sexuality, calling for hymns specifically addressing themes articulated in the Institute’s “Declaration on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing.” Among these themes are working to end sexual abuse and gender violence, and working for full inclusion of women and LGBTQ persons in congregational life, including their ordination and marriage equality. I was delighted and honored that “Praise the Source of All Creation” was selected as the winner. When asked by the director of the Religious Institute to comment on the hymn, I wrote: “Words we sing in worship have great power to shape belief and action, helping congregations and individuals in our journey toward healing from sexism, heterosexism, racism, and other injustices. The Religious Institute’s prophetic mission inspired my hymn, and I feel honored to contribute to this mission of celebrating the goodness of all creation and affirming a sexual ethic based on justice, equality, and full inclusion of all persons.”