Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde inspires Presbyterian hymnwriter
The Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette helps to pen ‘May We Be Brave and Curious’ to honor the bravery of Budde and many others
LOUISVILLE — In collaboration with a friend, the Rev. Kathryn King, Presbyterian hymnwriter the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has released a new hymn, “May We Be Brave and Curious,” lifting up the theme of bravery in biblical stories and in our world today.
Gillette and her husband, the Rev. Bruce Gillette, worshiped last Sunday at All Saints Episcopal Church in Bay Head, New Jersey, where King is the rector. The guest preacher that Sunday was Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and the author of a new children’s book, “I Can Learn to Be Brave.” Watch the worship service here. Budde begins her sermon at the 36:15 mark. Budde also wrote “How We learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith” and “We Can Be Brave: How We Learn to Be Brave in Life’s Decisive Moments.”
The congregation sang “May We Be Brave and Curious” as the opening hymn during Sunday’s worship service.
May We Be Brave and Curious
AURELIA ("The Church's One Foundation")
May we be brave and curious; O God, there’s much to learn!
The world you’ve made is wondrous; it’s new at every turn.
So may we be courageous to seek and try new things.
May we rise up and say yes and fly on eagle’s wings.
May we be brave and daring when things are hard to do.
When we see folks despairing, may we take risks for you.
When Moses spoke to Pharaoh, he took a friend along.
When we speak truth to power, together we are strong.
God, give us perseverance whenever times are tough —
When we, like Peter, protest that we aren’t good enough.
God, make us bold disciples who try and try some more
to work for peace and justice, to welcome in the poor.
God, give us faith to help us when fear gets in the way.
Remind us you are with us and give us words to say.
May we be like those women who spoke of Easter joy.
There’s power in resurrection that nothing can destroy.
We sing our alleluias; we praise your name above.
We ask you to work through us, that we may share your love.
Creator, Christ, and Spirit, may we embrace your Way
till love becomes the message we bravely live each day.
Tune: Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1864 ("The Church's One Foundation")
Text: Copyright © 2026 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Written in gratitude for the witness and writings of Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde.
Email: [email protected]. New hymns are here.
Hymn formatted with music can be found here.
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