Come Join the Sacred Journey

This song's melody was originally written as an alternative tune for the Sylvia Dunstan hymn "Bless Now, O God, the Journey" (#633 in the Voices United Hymnal) and this arrangement can also be found on this web site. Sylvia Dunstan (1955-1993) was a minister in the United Church of Canada and author of lyrics to several hymns in the UCCan hymnal. Her own journey was cut tragically short when she died a mere four months after being diagnosed with cancer. Dunstan never met me but in a way, my path has crossed hers through her lyrics. It reminds me of how we meet Christ – not in person, but “all around” as Dunstan put it. When the words and deeds of others reflect those of Christ, we meet Christ again. But I was moved to set my own words to this melody after hitting a few bumps in my own life journey. Life presents what seems to be an infinity of possible directions - which is the right one? Which will be a dead end? Our response is like a rounded answer - not the most exact or perfect, but often the best we can do. Whatever our choice, by leaving behind more than we found, we have helped clear a path for others. Belief is a matter of both where you are going and how you get there. And on that journey, Christ goes with us and his presence can be felt in those who walk with us.