Monday 1 December 2008

Methodist Church invited to ‘Sing a New Song’

The Methodist Music Resources Group is asking people to offer their opinions on a new collection of hymns and songs in their ‘Sing a New Song’ consultation.

The aim is to produce a music resource that retains the best of the old and includes the best of the new, reflecting a diversity of theological and musical traditions. The new compilation contains 294 hymns from the 1983 collection Hymns and Psalms, and draws on the best new material that has emerged since Hymns and Psalms was originally compiled.

The Revd Barbara Bircumshaw, Chair of the Music Resources Group, said; “Worshipping God in music and song is in the very soul of Methodism. This consultation offers people the chance to engage with the draft collection and let us know their thoughts before the final list is submitted to the 2009 Conference for approval.”

The draft collection contains over 700 hymns and songs, including international and previously unpublished material. It is arranged by subject, covering themes such as the love of God, suffering, justice and peace. At this stage the list is incomplete and there will be additions and doubtless deletions.

The consultation will run from 1 December 2008 through to the 31 January 2009. The full list of hymns, together with an online response form, is available at www.methodist.org.uk/newhymnbook. The list will also appear in The Methodist Recorder on Thursday.


Source: Methodist News Service 01/12/2008

5 comments:

Granny Annie said...

I can never open the little red Cokesbury Hymnal without hearing my grandpa's voice booming out "The Old Rugged Cross" or "When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder" or "Little Brown Church In The Wildwood".

Olive Morgan said...

In the circles in which I move, there are many who don't think we need the expense of a new hymnbook - even an organist, who has to juggle several tunebooks at present. In our church we no lnger give out hymnbooks, but they are in the pews for any who prefer to use a book. All our hymns and responsive prayers are shown on screen and it will be very expensive to buy new hymnbooks.

Mr John Cooper said...

Olive
I would say the cost of a new Hymnal is nothing compared to the joy and excitement it can bring!

The current H&P is good - yet how many churches have suppliments? Most! If they really ahve to have suppliments surely it means it has passed its time of use?

Hymn Books reflect the time they were drawn up in and times move on. The people called methodist have much to say to the Modern era and its great if we're all supported to sing that view!

Warmest Regards

john

Mr John Cooper said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Greta Stratford said...

can I still submit newly written hymns?

Greta Stratford