Perkins Blessing

In the fall term of 2005, the Perkins Student Association, with the leadership of then president Debra McKnight, commissioned a blessing hymn to celebrate both the diversity and the unity of the Perkins community. Once approved and funded by the Âé¶¹Éç student senate, the PSA invited students, faculty and staff to reflect on their experiences as members of the Perkins community, and commissioned John Thornburg to compose a blessing hymn which would weave both the depth of our distinctions and the strength of our unity into a common language and a shared voice.

WE ARE ONE IN CHRIST
Refrain:
We are one in Christ, called and claimed
by the One who knows our name;
seeking, wrestling, giving praise,
serving freely all our days.
Heirs of our Creator God,
Abr™ham, Sarah, Micah, Ruth,
formed by grace and prophet™s truth,
This is who we are..
Modern magi seeking Christ;
searching in the book divine,
gath™ring round for bread and wine.
This is who we are..
Longing for the Spirit™s touch,
seeking guidance as we pray
fresh anointing for our day.
This is who we are..
Gathered from around the world,
many viewpoints intersect;
thought and vital prayer connect.
This is who we are..

John Thornburg, 2006