Fore Street Topsham, Exeter

Reverend Paul Collings BTh (Hons) - - - - paul.collings@methodist.org.uk - - - - 01392 206229 - - - - 07941 880768

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Friday 21 August 2020

Around the city - Thoughts on Exeter’s past 13

Exeter’s Quay by Rev’d Paul Collings  


Psalm 107: 23-24 Some of you set sail in big ships; you put to sea to do business in faraway ports. Out at sea you saw God in action, saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean: With a word he called up the wind—an ocean storm, towering waves!


From distant lands and far off ports

Came many tales, seafare reports  

How passage trade from cross the seas 

Brought to our quay by sail filled breeze -


Those ships of oak. pitch tar and sail.

From harbour home through stormy gale

Each voyage crossing storm tossed seas

Would bring to port, vitals that ease;


Would ease the needs of kith and kin

Transporting neath the decks within

Delights for table, goods to share

And destined here to bring welfare.


Creator God of might and power,

Still here today new blessings shower,

As to each harbour of each soul

You bring your grace to make us whole.


With thankful hands we moor each barque

As if receiving Noah’s Ark

A vessel built to save, give life,

And banish doubt and danger, strife.


And as I sail life’s vessel, Lord

Please take the helm and guide assured

That I the right coursed journey take,

At your command, my own forsake.


The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. Marcel Proust



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