By Rev. Richenda Fairhurst
Creation care and environmental justice resources continue to grow, including the growing library at the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement. The need for more resources that reflect God’s creation is being met one song, one prayer, and one worship series at a time. This year the UMCJM worship team developed two series, one for the Season of Creation and another for Eastertide, upcoming in 2025 and available through Discipleship Ministries.
For creation-attuned Advent resources in particular, see the new Advent-Christmas hub on the UMCJM website.
Even as we celebrate the growing library, more resources are being developed and many more are needed. This year’s Advent Worship Café, “Tending to Advent: Preparing the Way,” will offer yet more materials, and many of those too will be made available and posted to the library.
New Music for the Season
I would like to share one other collection. This year Sara Nussel and I collaborated on brand new Advent-Christmas songs/hymns, we created new arrangements of familiar melodies and hymns offering new lyrics, and also wrote wholly new songs. Our hope is that they will be an inspiration to remember creation when we celebrate Advent and the birth of Jesus.
- “Brightest Morning Hymn PDF” – a five-verse hymn using an old Appalachian tune known as “Brightest and Best.”
- “Brightest Morning Choral PDF” – A choral version of the above (SATB voices). Piano MP3.
- “Imagine Solo PDF” – An original song for solo voice with lyrics to remember the Earth when Jesus was born. Piano MP3.
- “Imagine Choral PDF” – A choral version of the above (SATB voices). Piano MP3.
- “For All Creation Solo PDF” – Another original song for solo voice – this one in awe of God’s gift of Jesus. Piano MP3.
- “People Be Glad Hymn PDF” – A hymn with five new homage verses set to the melody of “People Look East” # 202 UMH
- “People Be Glad Choral PDF” – a choral version of the above (SATB voices). Portions of “Gesu Bambino” are threaded throughout. Piano MP3.
Sara Nussel composed the music for all seven offerings. Nussel is a lifelong United Methodist; her home church is Southwest UMC in Gainesville, Florida. She has been a musician from an early age. In college, she began directing choir and has built on her love of music since. More recently, she spends a good amount of time composing.
“In retirement I’ve had more time to pursue my love for composing. Many mornings I wake up with a melody in my head and have to hurry to the piano to write it down. I figured this is God’s way of telling me I should put those musical ideas to good use. God has blessed me with choristers willing to sing my songs,” Nussel explains.
Nussel reached out to UMCJM, attending Movement Cafés and other events. She shared her efforts in recycling, as well as her love of music and her desire to express her love of creation through music.
“It has been a blessing to develop Advent hymns to raise awareness of our need to be better stewards of God’s Creation. Congregations that are walking toward more sustainable living can use reminders in their worship about the importance of our role in protecting this beautiful earth,” says Nussel.
The idea for collaboration came up at last year’s Advent Worship Café. For that service, new “green” lyrics were added to the familiar “Friendly Beasts” hymn. The connection turned to inspiration. Says Nussel, “Working with Richenda has been a joy because she does words really well. Lyrics are not my forte.”
It has been a joy also from my own perspective to work with Sara. I love to write prayers and poetry, but while I love melodies, I cannot compose. Sara’s enthusiasm, her music, and her willingness to collaborate have given me joy, as well. We hope our shared effort–from Florida to Oregon–will inspire others to share the music and form their own collaborative and creative partnerships.
The music is available free for use in church settings; just download it above or from the library.
More Advent Resources
From New England Annual Conference: Grace Pugh Hubbard includes worship and study resources, along with a library of resources gathered; search Creation Care Corner: Resources for Advent
From 2023 Creation Justice Ministries Green Lectionary Podcast: Scroll to “Rewind to Advent” to hear podcasts and be inspired.
From Presbyterians for Earth Care: An Advent Daily Devotional (downloadable pdf).
From Just Creation: A 2023 list of Advent and Creation resources is still a great place to go for a comprehensive look at what is available.
From Catholic Climate Covenant: A number of great resources.
From the December 2023 Advent Café worship service, “Rewilding Advent,” is available from the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement. Find the video of the service here.
Rev. Richenda Fairhurst is here for the friendship and conversations about climate, community, and connection. For more conversations, see the team at the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement Café. Find Richenda in Southern Oregon at JustCreation.org, and also on Bluesky!