Stewards Of The Planet

One of the hymns in the coming year's WWDP Order of Service is by Fred Pratt Green. he was a Methodist hymnwriter and minister. The Preparation Day I led on Saturday was at the Methodist Church in Norwich, where he was a member in his retirement until his death in 2000. The ladies there were pleased this hymn was in the booklet, and proud to tell us of their connection with Fred. It fits in well with the 'stewards of creation' theme planned by the women of Suriname

God in his love for us lent us this planet,

Gave it a purpose in time and in space;

Small as a spark from the fire of creation,

Cradle of life and the home of our race.

Thanks be to God for its bounty and beauty,

Life that sustains us in body and mind:

Plenty for all, if we learn how to share it,

Riches undreamed of to fathom and find.

Long have our human wars ruined its harvest;

Long has earth bowed to the terror of force;

Long have we wasted what others have need of,

Poisoned the fountain of life at its source.

Earth is the Lord's; it is ours to enjoy it,

Ours, as his stewards, to farm and defend.

From its pollution, misuse, and destruction,

Good Lord deliver us, world without end!

I watched the first programme in the latest series of Blue Planet, and marvelled at the wonders of creation - but felt so sad to see the mother walrus struggling to find a safe place for her young, because rising temperatures are melting the ice at the poles.

Lord, help us to be good stewards of this wonderful planet we call home...