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In the fall term of 2005, the Perkins Student Association, with the leadership of then president Debra McKnight, commissioned a blessing hymn to celebrate both the diversity and the unity of the Perkins community. Once approved and funded by the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÔ¤²â student senate, the PSA invited students, faculty and staff to reflect on their experiences as members of the Perkins community, and commissioned John Thornburg to compose a blessing hymn which would weave both the depth of our distinctions and the strength of our unity into a common language and a shared voice.

WE ARE ONE IN CHRIST
Refrain:
We are one in Christ, called and claimed
by the One who knows our name;
seeking, wrestling, giving praise,
serving freely all our days.
Heirs of our Creator God,
Abr’ham, Sarah, Micah, Ruth,
formed by grace and prophet’s truth,
This is who we are..
Modern magi seeking Christ;
searching in the book divine,
gath’ring round for bread and wine.
This is who we are..
Longing for the Spirit’s touch,
seeking guidance as we pray
fresh anointing for our day.
This is who we are..
Gathered from around the world,
many viewpoints intersect;
thought and vital prayer connect.
This is who we are..

John Thornburg, 2006