New Hymnal Committee

June 26, 2008

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

We met to organize information for the upcoming Book Talks with the congregation. We listed "Frequently Asked Questions", searched for hymns (requested by the survey participants) and made notes on formats within the 4 hymnals of choice. We made a poster showing the key strengths and weaknesses of the books in regard to durability, authenticity of lyrics and favorites within the books.

Music surveys continue to come in and are being included in the results.

Book talks were offered to the congregation on June 29 at 8:30 and 10:45
We had no participants for the early session but the 10:45 was well-attended and filled with lively discussion. Very good questions asked and information shared.

Next steps — Discuss Book Talk results and survey results — Look at 4 publishing options again— Designate a sub group to list favorite songs (from our survey) for an updated Songs of the Spirit if used in conjunction with the new hymnal — Confirm the fee we pay as a church, to use music, will extend copyright permissions for the songs we may bind into the Truth and Light Hymnal.

4 published options:
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 binding of our favorites within the standard book 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

** custom bind-in within The Hymnal of Truth and Light requires 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.

Next meeting is July 10 at 5PM.

Submitted by Dana Wiggins