"Each Person Is Whole"

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At Guilford Park Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, our scripture study group created a hymn titled "Each Person Is Whole." Written in 2025 and set to the tune of LYONS by Joseph Martin Kraus, this hymn emphasizes inclusivity and the inherent worth of every individual.

Inspired by Mark 5, which tells the story of Jesus healing a woman who had suffered for twelve years, our hymn seeks to shift the narrative from viewing her as "broken" to recognizing the societal structures that ostracized her. We aim to remind ourselves that "each body is whole no matter the kind."

Stanza One: An Inclusive Theology

The first stanza establishes an inclusive theology, drawing inspiration from "We're Different, We're the Same" by Sesame Street. It celebrates diversity within our community, affirming that our differences are expressions of God's creation.

Stanza Two: Acknowledging Diverse Experiences

The second stanza honors those who navigate life with wheelchairs, walkers, and canes, emphasizing that every member deserves to be seen and valued. Our faith community is enriched by all its members.

Stanza Three: Embracing Neurodiversity

The third stanza reflects on the experiences of a church member's grandson with autism and Down Syndrome. It underscores the importance of creating a welcoming space for neurodivergent individuals and recognizing their contributions.

Stanza Four: Celebrating Sanctity and Wholeness

The hymn concludes with the declaration that "all persons are sanctified, body and soul, / each one is a blessing, both holy and whole." This encapsulates our message that every individual deserves dignity and love.

Each person is whole no matter the kind.
We long for a world with none left behind:
where people are gathered in Christ’s holy name
and ev’ryone’s diff’rent and yet still the same!

Each body deserves a place to belong,
a portion of grace, a part of God’s song.
With wheelchairs and walkers and canes by their side,
each neighbor is sacred; God’s welcome is wide.

Each brain is unique and works diff’rent ways;
created by God whose wonders amaze.
A glorious tapestry, spectrum divine,
each diff’rence is sacred by God’s great design.

God calls us to serve, compels us to care.
Diverse though we be, in faith we declare:
All persons are sanctified, body and soul,
each one is a blessing, both holy and whole.

Permission is granted for this hymn to be used in worship with appropriate credit given.

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Stephen Fearing

Stephen was born in 1988 in Cookeville, TN, where his parents met whilst attending Tennessee Tech. Shortly after, they moved to Dalton, Georgia where they put down roots and joined First Presbyterian Church, the faith family that taught Stephen that he was first and foremost a beloved child of God. It was this community that taught Stephen that it was OK to have questions and doubts and that nothing he could do could every possibly separate him from the love of God. In 1995, his sister, Sarah Kate, joined the family and Stephen began his journey as a life-long musician. Since then, he has found a love of music and has found this gift particularly fitting for his call to ministry. Among the instruments that he enjoys are piano, trumpet, guitar, and handbells. Stephen has always had a love of singing and congregation song. An avid member of the marching band, Stephen was the drum major of his high school's marching band. In 2006, Stephen began his tenure at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC where he majored in Religion and minored in History. While attending PC, Stephen continued to explore his love of music by participating in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Jazz Trio, as well as playing in the PC Handbell ensemble and playing mandolin and banjo PC's very own bluegrass/rock group, Hosegrass, of which Stephen was a founding member (Hosegrass even released their own CD!). In 2010, Stephen moved from Clinton to Atlanta to attend Columbia Theological Seminary to pursue God's call on his life to be a pastor in the PC(USA). During this time, Stephen worked at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Silver Creek Presbyterian Church, Central Presbyterian Church, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. For three years, Stephen served as the Choir Director of Columbia Theological Seminary's choir and also served as the Interim Music Director at Westminster Presbyterian Church. In 2014, Stephen graduated from Columbia with a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Arts in Practical Theology with an emphasis in liturgy, music, and worship. In July of 2014, Stephen was installed an ordained as Teaching Elder at Shelter Island Presbyterian Church in Shelter Island, NY. Later that year, Stephen married the love of his life, Tricia, and they share their home on Shelter Island with their Golden Doodle, Elsie, and their calico cat, Audrey. In addition to his work with the people who are Shelter Island Presbyterian Church, Stephen currently serves as a commission from Long Island Presbytery to the Synod of the Northeast and, beginning in January of 2016, will moderate the Synod's missions team.