New Hymnal Committee

May 8, 2008

Attending: Elaine Brownell, Barbara Merrill, Shirley Curry, Dana Wiggins, Betsy Keiter, Barbara Powers, John McCall
Excused: Evie Strom, Bruce Lockwood, Dolores Broberg, Deb Theriault, Carrie Skeffington, Lynn Howard

The committee reviewed many hymnals, observing differences in music selections, unison readings, and prayers. 4 hymnals stand out and are most readily used by other UCC churches at this time. Pricing and ordering deadlines were a consideration– information follows:
New Century - $14.50 plus shipping- black cover - order anytime for delivery within 2 weeks
Truth & Light - $17 per including delivery in March 2009
- standard issue, 9th printing (red w/silver type) order by Dec. 1
- with custom cover on standard issue book by Nov.1
- with custom selection of songs bound in by Oct.15
Chalice Hymnal - $16.19 with red cover, church name imprinted - delivery within 1 month
Worship and Rejoice - $15 - church name imprinted - delivery within 1 month; blue, red or green cover
One option discussed - The Hymnal of Truth and Light - is available with a bound in custom supplement with our favorite songs, prayers, church history. To consider this option we will clear copyright permissions on included music. Our church has paid a fee that grants rights for music used in the church and we will confirm that this fee extends to new SOS selections.

Music survey, written by Bruce, was reviewed, edited and reformatted to one page. Survey will be included in the next Beacon and will be handed out by ushers to the congregation on 5/18. John will distribute at chapel. Betsey will email the survey to Council and Church teams. 3 week duration (5/18 – 6/8) was decided upon for gathering input from the congregation.

Book talks offered with the congregation were set for June 29 before and after summer service in Davidson Lounge. Dana will write Beacon invitation dates, times and opportunity to see book samples, list of attributes we would like in a hymnal and how each meets the goals.

Next steps will be in gathering input from congregation on music selections, choosing songs for the updated Songs of the Spirit (or the custom bind-in hymnal), verifying copyright permissions.
Additional help is needed in the selection process of cherished hymns. Next meeting is May 29 at 5PM.

Submitted by Dana Wiggins