The Leavening of Life is a collection of contemporary hymns for services of commitment, communion, justice and peace, and healing; for specific events in the life of communities, such as weddings, confirmations, funerals and memorial services; and for the seasons of Advent and Christmas, Holy Week and Easter. Whilst some of the texts have new tunes written by John L. Bell, the majority are set to well-known hymn tunes or traditional folk melodies.Pat Bennett is a writer and liturgist based in Glasgow who has worked closely with the Wild Goose Resource Group. She has been writing hymns – many of which have been widely sung – for over twenty years. She is a member of the Iona Community and a long-standing contributor to Wild Goose books.