Presbyterian Hymnal Project Blog

Publication Event Registration

Registration is now open for all 6 hymnal publication events! Sign up now for two days of worship, workshops, and lectures. Each conference is designed for pastors, musicians, worship committees, and ecumenical friends. Members of the Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song (PCOCS) and Hymnal Project staff will be joined by nationally-recognized music and worship leaders:

• Wayne/Philadelphia (Oct. 18-19, 2013); Walter Brueggemann, plenary speaker; Kimberly Bracken Long, preacher
• Albuquerque (Nov. 1-2, 2013); Michael Hawn, plenary speaker; Margaret Aymer, preacher
• Salt Lake City (Nov. 4-5, 2013); Marva Dawn, plenary speaker; Glaucia Vasconcelos Wilkey, preacher
• Ft. Worth (Jan. 9-10, 2014); Don Saliers, plenary speaker; Laura Mendenhall, preacher
• Atlanta (Feb. 21-22, 2014); Craig Barnes, plenary speaker; Theresa Cho, preacher
• Louisville (Mar. 14-15, 2014); Martha Moore-Keish, plenary speaker; John Wurster, preacher

Focus topics will include global music, how to teach a new hymn, the theology behind the notes, liturgy in Glory to God, and much more!  The $35 registration fee includes two meals, a pew edition of Glory to God, and much more.  The first 100 registrants at each event will be entered in a drawing to win a free accompaniment edition of Glory to God.

Visit the hymnal www.presbyterianhymnal.org/launch for an overview of all events.  Mark your calendars now for these important introductions!

"Christian Century" Article

Are you still wondering, "why a new hymnal?"  Is your congregation asking the same question?  Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song chair, Mary Louise Bringle, wrote an article published in this week's Christian Century.  (May 1, 2013)  Here is a brief excerpt:

In the current political climate, such hard-won compromises seem increasingly rare—and increasingly valuable. Not to be overly cute, but a hymnal is like a telephone in ways other than the fact that both bear replacing long before they physically wear out. Like a telephone, a hymnal is also a medium of communication to bridge distances and differences. Old hymns, psalms, spirituals and gospel songs serve to bridge generations far removed from each other, connecting today’s congregations with resources and relatives from centuries past. New songs build bridges, too, honoring the contributions of contemporary worshipers, whether from popular culture in the U.S. or from communities around the globe.

This article is an excellent read, as well as a helpful tool for congregations discerning their singing future.

Indexes

The indexes are often the most-used section of a hymnal. Often frayed and battered from weeks and years of regular use, the final pages are the first place many turn when seeking a particular hymn or topic. The pew edition of Glory to God will be published with a topical, Scriptural, tune, meter, author/composer, and first line/common title indexes. Here are a few statistics from the current draft of the Scriptural index:

• There are approx. 5500 biblication citations, with an average of 6.5 per hymn or song.
• 2250 Old Testament citations / 3250 New Testament citations.
• More than 1000 references to psalms.
• Every book in the Bible has at least one hymn or song reference.

Additional indexes will be available in the online edition of the hymnal.  The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation is specifically hoping to make the copyright permissions process easier for users. Each hymn or song will have a list of what components (if any) need permission, and from whom permission should be sought.

Different from an index but equally rich in information, the Companion edition of Glory to God will be an important resource for hymnal users. Written by hymnologist, Carl Daw, it will contain historical, theological, and practical information about every hymn and song in the pew edition. Ideal for pastors and musicians planning worship, church administrators writing bulletin notes, or teachers preparing lessons. This hardback edition (approx. 1000 pages) will be published in Spring 2014.

Large Print Edition Clarification

Many people have questions about the large print edition of Glory to God.  Here are a few answers:

• Each pew edition page (words and music) will be enlarged and printed on 8 1/2 x 11" paper.
• Because the volume of the book will require approximately two reams of paper, it will not be bound (in one book). It will be printed and boxed loose-leaf.
• Purchasing the large print edition does not give automatic permission for copying, reproducing, or projecting. Congregations must purchase or seek appropriate copyright permissions. For more information about copyright law, read this former blog post.
• The box will have a black cover, not purple or red. A recent order form errantly lists two cover options. Our apologies for this miscommunication.

Please call Customer Service (1-800-533-4371) with questions about products or ordering.

Speakers Announced for Events

The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC) is pleased to announce six national conferences around the publication of its new hymnal, Glory to God.  These two-day educational events are being designed for pastors, musicians, worship committees, and ecumenical friends.  Focus topics include global music, how to teach a new hymn, liturgy in Glory to God, and much more!  Nationally-recognized musicians, preachers, and theologians will be featured at each event.  Here is a list of locations, dates, speakers, and preachers for each event.

                Wayne Presbyterian Church (Wayne, PA); October 18-19, 2013

                                Plenary speaker: Walter Brueggemann

                                Preacher: Kimberly Bracken Long

                First Presbyterian Church (Albuquerque, NM); November 1-2, 2013

                                Plenary speaker: Michael Hawn

                                Preacher: Margaret Aymer

                First Presbyterian Church (Salt Lake City, UT); November 4-5, 2013

                                Plenary speaker: Marva Dawn

                                Preacher: Glaucia Vasconcelos Wilkey

                First Presbyterian Church (Ft. Worth, TX); January 9-10, 2014

                                Plenary speaker: Don Saliers

                                Preacher: Laura Mendenhall

                Central Presbyterian Church; (Atlanta, GA); February 21-22, 2014

                                Plenary speaker: Craig Barnes

                                Preacher: Theresa Cho

                Harvey Browne Presbyterian Church; (Louisville, KY); March 14-15, 2014

                                Plenary speaker: Martha Moore-Keish

                                Preacher: John Wurster

Information is available on the hymnal website.  Registration will open in May 2013.

2012 orders

The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC) began accepting orders for its new hymnal, Glory to God, in the summer of 2012. By the end of the year, over 600 congregations had placed prepublication orders for Glory to God. In addition to churches, some camps, conferences, colleges, and ecumenical partners have ordered the hymnal. Marc Lewis, President and Publisher of PPC, said, “The Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song (PCOCS) worked diligently on this project and, in doing so, gave the church a wonderful gift. Seeing their service and selections gave us a glimpse of this hymnal’s possible significance; the number of congregations who have already adopted the book affirms the PCOCS’s work and their vision of the future worshiping church.”

David Eicher, hymnal editor, added, “The enthusiastic response to prepublication orders has been in stark contrast to the ‘doom and gloom’ predictions of many who doubted whether congregational singing is still vital or simply a relic of the past. Churches are jumping at the chance to have a new collection of hymns and songs for their worship of almighty God.”

Thank you to all of the individuals, congregations, and institutions who have supported the hymnal project.  We look forward to putting the actual book in your hands this year!

Year in Review

"Lord, of all eagerness, Lord of all faith, whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe: be there at our labors, and give us, we pray, your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day." ("Lord of All Hopefulness", v. 1)

"Glory to God!" was the angels' refrain as they announced Christ's birth, and "Glory to God!" is our prayer and hope as we conclude this year's work.  2012 was full of hymnal activity from beginning to end.  January held the final meeting for the Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song (PCOCS).  After their final sing-through and vote, the office began seeking copyright permissions.  Public domain hymns immediately went into the production line for typesetting and copy-editing.  In July, the 220th General Assembly received the list of contents and dismissed the PCOCS with thanksgiving for their service to the church.  And thus the wheels turned towards publishing this monumental resource.

Throughout the year workshops, retreats, hymn festivals, and other opportunities have focused on the contents of Glory to God.  Hymnal-related products (the Companion, the Enlarged Print edition, the electronic editions, etc.) were developed.  Copyright permissions returned, pages were formatted, and sound-bytes recorded.  Here is the year by numbers:

• 2012: the year
• 3 dedicated staff (2 full time; 1 part time)
• 15 PCOCS
• 3 staff liasons from partner offices
• 849 hymns and songs approved for inclusion (dependent upon copyright permissions)
• 32 pages of liturgical material (1 Service for the Lord's Day, 3 services for Daily Prayer)
• 15 conferences
• 28 states
• 100 events
• 1-800-533-4371 ... Customer Service for orders and questions about products.

It is now time for Sabbath.  The Hymnal Project offices will quieten these next weeks for much-needed rest.  (NOTE: Customer Service will be open and receive orders through the holidays, with modified hours. Thank you to those staff!)  We are grateful for all those who have served, hosted, sung, shared, and participated in the project this year.  We look forward to continuing our work in the new year --- 2013: the year of publication!

"Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm, whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm: be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray, your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day."  ("Lord of All Hopefulness", v. 4)

May your Advent and Christmas seasons be filled with hope and peace.

Hymnal Publication Celebrations

The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation is pleased to announce six national continuing education events celebrating the publication of our new Presbyterian hymnal, Glory to God.  Each event will be a two-day immersion into the contents of Glory to God.  Workshops and worship services will be led by members of the Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song, Hymnal Project staff, and other nationally-recognized music and worship leaders. Focus topics will include global music, how to teach a new hymn, the theology behind the notes, orders of worship, the hymnal as a preaching companion, and much more!  Pastors, musicians, worship committees, and ecumenical friends are all invited.  Join us at one of the following celebrations:

• Wayne, PA; Hosted by Wayne Presbyterian Church (Oct. 18-19, 2013),
• Albuquerque, NM; Hosted by First Presbyterian Church (Nov. 1-2, 2013),
• Salt Lake City, UT; Hosted by First Presbyterian Church (Nov. 4-5, 2013),
• Ft. Worth, TX; Hosted by First Presbyterian Church (Jan. 9-10, 2014),
• Atlanta, GA; Hosted by Central Presbyterian Church (Feb. 21-22, 2014), and
• Louisville, KY; Hosted by Harvey Browne Presbyterian Church (March 14-15, 2014).

Registration will open online in April 2013.  Costs are expected to be less than $50/participant, and include a new hymnal, several meals, and other bonus materials.  More information will be posted on the hymnal website.  Mark your calendars now for this important introduction!

Diagrammed page

The pages of "Glory to God" will be formatted differently than the current/blue hymnal.  This diagram of a familiar hymn may help you navigate the information on newer music pages.

Ordinary Time

These past weeks included travel from coast to coast, with worship and workshops near and far.  People often ask, "where is the hymnal?  why is it taking so long?"  Although the current work is not as easily shared as the committee process, here are the things keeping us busy:

• Seeking copyright permissions.  Approximately 1/3 of hymns and songs in Glory to God are public domain; they may be freely copied, edited, and shared without permission from a copyright holder.  The bulk of the book's contents, thus, requires permission from dozens of rights' holders.  Some hymns only need permission for texts, while others require permission for printing the tune.  Some require permission from two different rights' holders.  Additional permission is needed to edit a text or tune; any change in the accompaniment, a harmonic part, a text phrase must be approved by the copyright holder.  When proposed changes are denied, the Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song may reconsider their vote.  Another reason to be thankful for their service!  Though their work is "done", though they have been officially thanked and dismissed, they continue to sing the song that does not end.
• Proofreading and editing.  Hymns are initially prepared by separating text and music into two different files.  These individual files are proofread before being engraved.  After engraving, with words and music now on the same page, they are proofread again.  Misspelled words, wrong notes, incorrect placement are all reasons to return to the engraver.  Some days only 5 or 10 hymns are 'finished' (for this step).  It is a detailed process that requires sharp eyes and minds.  Proofreading will continue through June 2013, with each hymn and song checked dozens of times at each step.
• Advising worship planners, leading services.  As presbyteries meet and conferences organize, many Presbyterians want to use new hymns and songs.  Our office is in regular conversation with people around the country.  We make suggestions, point to sources, and problem-solve.  We are also involved in the leadership of different events, facilitating workshops, teaching songs, playing, preaching, and singing all around the country.  It is a privilege to serve the larger church in this way.

We are eager to hear how congregations are learning new music.  As always, we are glad to support your ministry.  Please keep in touch!