Paddling by the Shore

In this exciting collection of hymns, Kim Fabricius not only skillfully guides us through the Christian year--from Advent and Christmas, through Lent, to Easter and Pentecost--he also imaginatively explores the church's perennial themes: the mystery of God, creation and providence, suffering and death, worship and prayer. He writes for disciples seeking an intelligent faith that, eschewing cant and banality, boldly addresses the contested issues of war and peace, wealth and poverty, gender and sexuality, race and immigration, evolution and ecology. With an eye for the striking image and an ear for the unusual rhyme, Kim writes in a colloquial style that, while often poetically playful, is always theologically serious. Here are hymns that Christians can sing with heart and mind, in joy and sorrow, as passionate expressions of gratitude to God and commitment to the New World coming. ""The songs gathered here stink. They stink of theology cultivated by the best of the Catholic tradition and sensitive to the hazards of congregational worship. They stink of the holy wit of an indecorous soul set loose. And, most wonderfully, they stink of divinity unashamedly immersed in the blunt realities of being human in the world and delighting in life familiar with, but unconstrained by, death. They also should be sung, loudly and lots."" --Jason Goroncy, Lecturer in Systematic Theology, Whitley College, University of Divinity, Parkville, Australia ""Let me sing the praises of the playful, provocative, and profound hymns of Kim Fabricius. This hymnal will startle and surprise you, in all the best ways. The hymns are, by turns, whimsical, deeply theological, prophetic and pastoral. Augustine once said, 'Whoever sings prays twice.' With Kim's hymns it felt like a whole lot more."" --Richard Beck, professor, blogger and author of Unclean and The Slavery of Death ""At first, these hymns seem the same as many others--affirming, comforting, guiding. Then suddenly 'the elephant in the room.' Unfamiliar questions open up new worlds; new words encourage believing differently; uncomfortable challenges demand too much. Instead of 'Paddling by the Shore' you find yourself struggling in the deep! I've sung some of these hymns, and they leave you feeling perplexed and uneasy--and affirmed in your questions. Before you sing them to familiar tunes, read the unfamiliar lines: be challenged before you sing!"" --Dr Noel A. Davies, retired congregational minister, living in Swansea, Wales; teacher of theology and advocate for an ecumenical future I am delighted to see this collection of Kim Fabricius' texts. Over the years, we have had the pleasure of publishing his work in Worship Live. His hymns are always well crafted, and singable. They frequently challenge unthinking beliefs, and offer new ways of expressing intelligent faith. There are interesting pairings between texts and tunes, and erudite references to biblical and literary sources. These are hymns to use in worship, and return to in reflection. An excellent resource! Rev Dr Janet H. Wootton, Congregational Minister, Director of Studies for the Congregational Federation, hymnwriter and editor of Worship Live since 1995. Kim Fabricius is an American expatriate who lives in the UK, where he is a retired minister in the United Reformed Church and a former university chaplain. He has a BA in English from Wesleyan University and an MA in Theology from the University of Oxford. Kim is the author of Propositions on Christian Theology: A Pilgrim Walks the Plank (2008), and he is a popular guest blogger at ""Faith and Theology.""