Strange Majesty

22 hymns (words & music), exploring themes not easily found in the standard repertoire, by Leith Fisher, who was a minister and a member of the Iona Community.

If ever a book was written about Leith Fisher’s life, it would need numerous chapters to cover his many gifts, interests and life experiences. Leith was a parish minister in the Church of Scotland in Glasgow and Falkirk, a member of the Iona Community, a broadcaster, contributing to BBC’s Thought for The Day; he served on presbytery committees, and was Convener of the General Assembly’s Panel on Worship. He was a gifted speaker (and also a gifted listener) and his pastoral abilities were legendary. In a tribute to him following his death in 2009 Leith was described as ‘one of the ablest ministers of his generation’. 

For all his activity, Leith was also at his desk, sometimes late into the night, writing poems, articles, reports, life-changing letters, gospel commentaries, prayers – and hymns. 

Seven of these were included in the fourth edition of the Church Hymnary (2005), and hymns like ‘For your generous providing’ and ‘Christ is our light’ are now established in the song of the church.