We Share the Peace
1. We share the peace. We share the pain.
We share the drought. We share the rain.
We share the fancy and the plain
Beside the Welcome River of Life.
2. We bring our dreams. We bring our fears.
Our easy smiles. Our hidden tears.
We’ve found a place of comfort here
Beside the Welcome River of Life.
3. We who have crossed the oceans deep;
We who have swum the rivers wide;
We who have known this place alone
Now share the Welcome River of Life.
Words and music by Bret Hesla.
Written on commission for Faith Mennonite Church, Minneapolis, on their 50th Anniversary.
© 2011 Bret Hesla. All rights reserved. Use with permission, please.
Licensed via OneLicense.net, Contact: Bret.hesla@gmail.com.
I have a little office at Faith Mennonite Church in Minneapolis, the rent being a barter for music. So for their 50th anniversary, I got to write some songs for them. The congregation is quite near the Mississippi River, in the heart of the metro. I interviewed the anniversary committee and several members. Their strong themes were life-giving water, immigrant welcome, justice, peace, and gratitude.
This song tries to capture some of that deep community they embody as a congregation. The song’s been used as an offertory, a prayer response, in healing services, even a gathering song.