Pablo Sosa & Graham Maule

In Memory of Pablo Sosa and Graham Maule

In recent weeks, both Pablo Sosa and Graham Maule died, two leaders in the world of ecumenical worship. We sang songs by each this past Sunday. Here’s a short message from Terry MacArthur:

On 11 January Pablo Sosa died at the age of 85. Some of us remember the Sunday he came and led his Gloria, one of the beloved songs of our congregation.

We also sing “Miren qué bueno,” and “May this Church Be Like a Tree,” with a few others lurking in the walls from former times. A prolific composer and dedicated teacher, he gave himself tirelessly to the Methodist Church in Argentina, and to the Ecumenical Movement. He served on several worship committees for global WCC meetings, including the Vancouver Assembly. He participated in worship workshops, two of which were a month long, so that others might catch the spirit of creating worship together across cultures and traditions. His reputation was that he could make the stones sing. He is one of the beloved grandfathers of ecumenical worship.

Graham Maule was an integral part of the Wild Goose Resource Group in strong, creative partnership with John Bell and others. He was a lyricist and artist. His designs became emblematic of the Iona Community. His funeral was 10 January in Scotland.

Audio during communion this last Sunday in our church; ‘Take, O take me as I am’ – a Maule /Bell song also sung at his funeral in Scotland:

(©1995 WGRG, Iona Community, Scotland)