Moderator's prayer for the people of Paris

I invite you and your family to create a short ritual at a meal this coming week. Light a candle. Place an empty chair at the table. Break bread and drink from a cup. Have a conversation about the "fear factor". Will fear or love win? This is the very least we can do!

Rt Rev Andrew Norton
Moderator, Presbyterian Church Aotearoa New Zealand

Lovers Lament

city of lovers'
where the cello bow
acquiesced to the cadence
of assassins' fire

a city weeps
blood spilled
bodies broken
conceived in terror 

we hold your silence
our hands cup your tears
our families host an empty chair
for the ones you have lost

we light a vigil candle
a sign of hope
a prayer for a world
in darkness

may fear be destroyed
wine poured
bread broken
conceived in love

This prayer was inspired by the children of Knox Church Dunedin, as we sat in conversation together, Sunday 15th November 2015

Celloist in Paris

Cello player on the streets of France (2013). Photo supplied by Andrew Norton.