In Appreciation of Jane Parker Huber

On Sunday we sang one of my favorite hymns, "Called As Partners in Christ's Service." It is one of eleven hymns in the Presbyterian Hymnal written by Jane Parker Huber. She took the tunes of old hymns and provided them with new words to reflect inclusive language, peacemaking, social justice, and hope in Christ's kin-dom. She wrote many other hymns that she published in A Singing Faith and Singing in Celebration.


Ms. Huber died on Saturday. You can read the obituary on Witherspoon.

She will be missed.


Called as partners in Christ's service,
Called to ministries of grace,
We respond with deep commitment
Fresh new lines of faith to trace.
May we learn the art of sharing,
Side by side and friend with friend,
Equal partners in our caring
To fulfill God's chosen end.

Christ's example, Christ's inspiring,
Christ's clear call to work and worth,
Let us follow, never faltering,
Reconciling folk on earth.
Men and women, richer, poorer,
All God's people, young and old,
Blending human skills together
Gracious gifts from God unfold.

Thus new patterns for Christ's mission,
In a small or global sense,
Help us bear each other's burdens,
Breaking down each wall or fence.
Words of comfort, words of vision,
Words of challenge, said with care,
Bring new power and strength for action,
Make us colleagues, free and fair.

So God grant us for tomorrow
Ways to order human life
That surround each person's sorrow
With a calm that conquers strife.
Make us partners in our living,
Our compassion to increase,
Messengers of faith, this giving
Hope and confidence and peace.

Thank you, Ms. Huber for sharing your gifts with the church and for being a partner with us on this journey.