CAPTION: Lizzi wanted a song which acknowledged the pain of survivors of gender-based violence but could not find one, so decided to write one herself
Tackling Gender-Based Violence Through the Power of Song
The Rev’d Lizzi Green, Team Vicar of Plympton, has written a new hymn to the tune of Love Divine All Loves Excelling, which has been chosen by the Mother’s Union to feature in its national 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence campaign, as well as a special Anglican Communion service.
Lizzi is a survivor of abuse herself and is a Chaplain to the UN Commission on the Status of Women as well as being a parish priest. This is the second hymn she has written on the theme of justice for victims of violence.
The opening lyrics are: “God of justice, God of mercy/ hear the cries we cannot still/ violence shatters, silence covers/ yet your love is stronger still.”
Rev’d Lizzi Green in her role of chaplain at the UN in New York
Lizzi said “I’m a passionate believer in the fact that the language we use in both our sung and spoken worship is important. I’m a survivor of gender-based violence, and a passionate advocate for gender equality, and that has led me to establish an ecumenical service each year to begin the 16 Days of Activism on Gender Based Violence – it’s a huge privilege to lead this service each year with my ecumenical colleagues.
“Looking around for hymns, I wanted something that acknowledged the depth of the pain carried by those who have experienced violence, as well as something that hoped for change. I couldn’t find anything – so this was the result.
Lizzi led a service at the start of the 16 days on 25 November and will host a Transforming Plymouth Together event: Light the Way: Churches and Communities Coming Together to Shine a Light on Domestic Abuse on 29 November (2:00–3:30 pm) at Plympton Church Hall.
Lizzi commented, “I’m so privileged to have been able to use the new song in worship already, and it will also feature in an online service produced by the Anglican Communion Office. It’s always weird to think of others using my words, but I hope if they are used that people find it a way to bring this pain before God and dare to hope for God’s justice.
Open the Conversation
Lizzi said she began songwriting when a health condition prevented her from singing: ” I am a musician to my core,” she said, “and I also used to sing. About 18 months ago, I had an operation to remove a large tumour on my thyroid.
“Unfortunately it damaged some of my vocal ability. A few people were praying that God would restore that to me in some way. My voice has actually recovered more than was predicted, but before that happened, I started to write hymns – it felt like a way of singing even if I couldn’t sing myself.
When asked what she would like to see churches and other organisations doing to help end gender-based violence, she said ” One of the things I think we need to begin with is just to open the conversation.
We can present an image of church that is shiny and squeaky clean – the reality is that there will be people in our churches who have or are affected by gender based violence.
“On top of that, we have a mandate to do it from a God who passionately cared about and empowered women.
“Perhaps we start by refusing to be silent, by talking about it and working together – with churches and with secular groups – to bring change.”
You can download Lizzi’s hymns and other Mother’s Union resources for the 16 days of activism here.
God of Justice, God of Mercy
God of justice, God of mercy,
hear the cries we cannot still;
violence shatters, silence covers,
yet your love is stronger still.
Into fear and into anguish,
speak your word of truth today;
call us into steadfast courage,
walk with us the costly way.
Christ, who knew the depth of sorrow,
Christ, who bore the wounds of wrong,
stand with all who face tomorrow,
when the nights are dark and long.
Risen Christ, bring resurrection,
hope that suffering cannot kill;
with your fierce and tender presence,
hold us, heal us, guide our will.
Spirit, stir in us compassion,
give us strength to work for peace;
till your justice brings us freedom,
till the captive find release.
Take our anger, take our yearning,
shape a future just and true;
in our living, in our daring,
make the world your kingdom true.
