A songwriting minister’s sabbatical was so inspiring she created more worship songs for Christians to enjoy.
The Revd Debbie Lord works part-time as a musician, teaching piano and singing, and has been composing songs for some time. Some of her creations have been sung in the church community she leads, 2nd Sundays at All Saints in Didcot where people meet once a month to be creative and worship together.
Debbie and her husband Andy took three months away as sabbatical earlier this year, spending time with Christian friends in Pasadena in the US as well as attending the Resound Workshop song-writing conference back here in the UK.
Some of the songs which she has written have been inspired by her time away – one even features a bellyflopping hippo! She describes her sabbatical as ‘life-changing’ adding: “It has rejuvenated me and provided me time and space and some wonderful experiences that ignited my imagination afresh.”
She said: “My songs are written with people in mind who are faith exploring for the first time. It’s written in a way to encourage people who wouldn’t usually get involved in music to have a go. And to really think about the words they are singing.”
Some of Debbie’s songs have been licensed for any church to use, for the first time via the Church Song website. A development which Debbie said ‘felt almost unreal’. She added she was very grateful for the funding which enabled her sabbatical.
Listen to Debbie's music or hear her share how she's been composing since the age of 14!