God in whose memory no one is lost
love that will seek and will find
do not forget us when we forget you,
when we know fear in the mists of the mind.
Then Let Us Sing 26 verse 1
I've had conversations with my sister-in-law Shirley, recently retired as a United Church musician, about the newly released music resource called Then Let Us Sing. It was supposed to be ready well before the United Church of Canada 100th anniversary but wasn't, sad to say. Even though Shirley has closed one keyboard she is still tinkling the ivories at home and working her way through Then Let Us Sing.
She shared one hymn she found particularly poignant because of a couple of people dear to her heart living with rapidly advancing dementia. It is God in Whose Memory No One is Lost with words by the late Shirley Erena Murray, a wonderful lyricist for many hymns, including Touch the Earth Lightly in Voices United. It is also called the Forget-Me-Not Hymn because this flower is the symbol of the Alzheimer's Society of New Zealand, Erena Murray's country.
Shirley Erena Murray
It seems so important that there are hymns and worship songs which recognize the realities of dementia, including Alzheimer's. When I offered a study series with the title With God in the Shadows at Trenton United about dementia it was probably the best attended of any I have offered. We had a person from the Alzheimer's Society come to speak and I engaged in a dialogue with a lovely member whose beloved husband had died with Lewy Body Dementia.
As Christ followers we are disciples of a "Lost and Found" faith. Honouring those who live with dementia, including family members and caregivers is so important in our communities of faith and I'm glad that this hymn can be part of our repertoire.
Give us the grace of true kindness and touch
patience to stay on this road,
do not forget us when we forget you,
Spirit of Jesus, compassion of God.
Then Let Us Sing 26 verse 4
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