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 The Verse
A monthly newsletter |
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The Hymn Society
in the United States and Canada |
April 2012 |
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Greetings!
Whew! Made it! Just under the wire, but it's still April!! How do the days slip by so fast? Don't let too many days slip by before you register for our summer conference in Winnipeg! Beat the June 1 price increase for registration by sending in yours right away!
We're talking with folks all over about the future of congregational song. Small groups are getting together to dream about the future of The Hymn Society. Please add your voice to the chorus and send your reflections in to the office. You'll find some questions to prime your thoughts later in this newsletter. Thanks for your contribution!
Meanwhile, keep singing!!
Deb
Deborah Loftis |
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Hugh D. McKellar, Life Member, died in Toronto on February 8, 2012, following surgery. The Anglican Journal in Canada posted this obituary: http://www.anglicanjournal.com/nc/other/news-items/c/obituaries/article/quietly-made-a-difference-10593//abp/285.html
George H. Shorney, FHS, died on March 31, 2012 in Naples, FL. A memorial service was held April 17 at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, IL. The links below will take you to obituaries in the Sun Times and Tribune.
http://legacy.suntimes.com/obituaries/chicagosuntimes/obituary.aspx?n=george-h-shorney&pid=156866767&fhid=6268&FBNF=ShareObitAt&refsvce=facebook#.T32m5e3Qs1N.facebook
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-04-11/news/ct-met-shorney-obit-20120411_1_hymn-hope-publishing-choral-music
The memorial service program may be viewed here. Shorney memorial service
Beverly Howard's father, Eugene Howard, passed away following a massive stroke, on Monday, April 25 in Texas.
The body of Tim Goman, Lucy Goman's son, was recovered at last from the Williamette River and the family has made burial plans. The Tim Goman Memorial Fund at Oregan State University in Corvallis, will be used to help students who, like Tim, are struggling in school. The funds will be used to train advisors, faculty and student leaders to identify and work with students in crisis, which will include suicide awareness and prevention. If you would like to contribute, please address your gift to OSU Foundation, 850 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR, 97333-4015 and indicate "Tim Gorman Fund" on the memo line.
We lift our prayers for all of the families of these friends and colleagues.
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As part of our 90th birthday celebration, we're going to spend some time this summer dreaming together about what The Hymn Society could be in our second century! Leading up to that, we're having some conversations in different locations across North America, but we don't want anyone to miss out on the chance to dream with us. If you're not attending one of the gatherings in May, please take some time and respond to the questions listed. They're mostly just ideas to get your thoughts rolling, so don't feel restricted to just these ideas. Let us know what you're thinking; what you see from your seat as a lover of congregational song. Jot them down; send your thoughts and dreams to the office and Deb will gather them for the summer conference.
What do you see as the current state of congregational song?
What trends do you see emerging?
What are your hopes and dreams for the future of congregational song?
What are your concerns about the future of congregational song?
How can an organization like the Hymn Society
best support the needs/trends/hopes/dreams voiced here today?
We want to hear from YOU!! |
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During April and May, GIA is hosting hymn workshops in six major cities and hymn festivals in three cities to promote their new publications, Gather 3rd ed. and Worship 4th ed. Visit their website to see more details
http://www.giamusic.com/email/index_email-tapestry-of-prayer-general.html
June 2, 2012-- SOCHS and the Ontario Guild of English Handbell Ringers will host a meeting from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. In the morning session at Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen Street East, Gerald Martindale will introduce the art of the carillon and offer a tour of Metropolitan's fine set of bells. In the afternoon session at St. Andrew's United Church, 117 Bloor Street East, J.-C. Coolen will demonstrate ways in which handbells can build community and enhance worship. If you have any questions, address them to info@sochs.org, or call (416)-342-6034. The registration form is also available on the SOCHS website, www.sochs.org
June 8-9, 2012-- The Church Music Institute, under the leadership of Charlotte Kroeker, will present a Sacred Music Summer Workshop at Wilshsire Baptist Church in Dalas TX. See the website for more details:http://www.churchmusicinstitute.org
Two upcoming seminars at Calvin College:
June 18-22, 2012, "Singing What We Believe: Theology and Hymn Texts" will led by Bert Polman, More information at http://www.calvin.edu/scs/2012/seminars/polman/
July 23-Aug. 3, 2012, "Globalization and Worship: Soundings from the Worldwide Church" led by Charles Farhadian. More information at http://www.calvin.edu/scs/2012/seminars/farhadian/
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2012 Summer Conference -- THE MEETING PLACE -- July 15-19
The conference brochure is available online! You can view the schedule and find information about all the sectionals being offered.
To view the brochure, click here.
The conference brochure is available also in the Winter issue of The Hymn.
How are you getting to Winnipeg?? Yes, the airfares are expensive, but there might be a way to economize--and have time to visit with other hymn lovers. Bill Clyma is flying into Minneapolis and would be interested in carpooling from there to Winnipeg. You can contact him at billclyma@centurytel.net
Maybe there are others who would like to meet in Fargo, SD and drive together? If you have an idea to save money on travel, let us know and we'll help you spread the word to others.
There has been a slight change in our housing and we want to pass the word along that all of the dormitory-type housing is single occupancy only--no double rooms. The information has been changed on the website but if you're using the paper registration form, please be advised of this change. Hey, we're flexible, right??
There are several hotel rooms being held at a group rate for any members who prefer hotel accommodations. A new facility, The Queen Bee Hotel, is just outside the main entrance of the University. The rooms have either one or two queen-size beds. You will need transportation to the meeting site; it is not within walking distance. Call the office for more details. 1-800-THE-HYMN.
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Recent Hymn Festivals
February 26, 2012 -- Celebrating Grace Hymnal Dedication was held at First Baptist Church in Huntsville, AL under the direction of Billy Orton, Minister of Music.
April 20-22, 2012 -- Samford University sponsored a weekend event, "Singing a 21st Centiry Faith" with workshops on congregational singing. Paul Richardson, FHS, and Eric Mathis, organized the event which culminated with a hymn festival on Sunday afternoon led by C. Michael Hawn, FHS, "The Lord's Prayer: A Global Perspective."
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The Times, They Are A-Changing . . .
Church Publishing has published e-hymnals for iPad and any e-reader that supports ePub standards. Hymnal 1982, Wonder Love and Praise, and other supplements are available at their website. For more information and to download visit: https://www.churchpublishing.org/news/index.cfm#83
The new Presbyterian hymnal, Glory to God, will also be published in several electronic formats in the fall of 2013 and spring 2014: online, CD/DVD edition for projection and as an ebook. The contents of that hymnal are now available for viewing on their website: http://www.presbyterianhymnal.org/ |
| Continuing Hymn Contests
Humbercrest United Church, Toronto, and the Southern Ontario Chapter of the Hymn Society
are co-sponsoring a hymn search "Marking Significant Moments in Congregational History. Full details and a very concise summary are available on our site at www.sochs.org. Deadline for submissions is May 15, 2012
Macalester Plymouth United Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, announces the seventeenth annual international contest for English language hymn writers. It is our understanding that hymns can motivate the church to be more actively involved in social reform, a vital part of its ministry. It carries a prize of $500 for the winning entry. Our 2012 contest will be a search for hymns that address the scriptural call to speak out loudly and clearly against injustice, and to unite with others working for change. Entries must be postmarked by December 31, 2012. Macalester Plymouth Hymn Contest details
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