There Is a Love (Parker)

Rebecca Parker says, “‘There Is a Love’ is a prayer to invoke healing and sustain peace for an ever widening circle of inclusion. It embodies the Universalist theological affirmation that God’s love embraces our whole lives and all of life.” 

​

Rebecca Ann Parker first composed the words during her personal spiritual journey to recover from childhood trauma. Following 9/11, at the request of her dear friend, Rev. Mary Harrington, she taught the prayer at a retreat for Unitarian Universalist leaders who had gathered for spiritual strength to resist the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The prayer became a regular part of classes at Starr King School for the Ministry and in September 2011, Rebecca composed music for the words to be chanted as a round for the School’s opening Threshold Ceremony. From Starr King the prayer has spread. Parker’s musical setting has been passed from hand to hand and is published here for the first time.

​

​

Rebecca Ann Parker (she/her), President Emeritus and Professor of Theology Emeritus of Starr King School for the Ministry is a minister, musician, theologian, educator, and justice activist. Trained as a classical cellist, she entered the ministry while continuing to perform orchestral and chamber music nationally and internationally. Her influential books include Proverbs of Ashes (with Rita Nakashima Brock), Blessing the World, Saving Paradise (with Rita Nakashima Brock), and A House for Hope (with John Buehrens).