Calvin Synod Herald, 1996 (96. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1996-01-01 / 1. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 5 AMERIKAI MAGYAR REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA An Action to Harmonize With Bis Social Change (New York Times) "The New Century Hymnal" of the U.C.C. is already in the pews of U.C.C. churches. *Dear Lord and Father of Mankind Flnt Tune John Qroonhaf Whittlrr, 1872 HERMANN 8.6.S.8.6. Mtlody by Nieholau* Htrmann, 15 54 Harm, by C. Winfred Dough*. 1240 Dear God, Embracing Humankind lohn Grrenfeaf Whittier, 1872; oh 502 Mark 1:16-20: Mott. 14:22-23; 1 Kings 19:11-12 1 Dear God. era-brac-ing hu - man-kind, for - give our fool - ish Changes in "The New Century Hymnal" include steering titles and lyrics away from traditional masculine titles for God. Masculine titles for God were much reduced, or occasionally "balanced" by including other metaphors for the deity, "to say that God is greater than male and female." "The book is rich in 'Fountain,1 'Wellspring,1 'Rock' and 'Fire.'" The Rev. Paul Sherry, president of the United Church of Christ, said the hymnal offered "a major instrument for the regeneration of this church." The change is afoot among those of a more theologically liberal persuasion, in the re-writing of hymns to recognize the influence on everyday speech of such sweeping social changes as feminism, environmentalism and multiculturalism. How people in the pews have received these re-written hymns has been difficult to measure. The 1.5 million-member United Church of Christ, a Protestant denomination, offered evidence that its new hymnal, containing some of the boldest revisions yet of traditional sacred lyrics, has become a strong seller by the standards of religious songbooks. Since its publication last July, "The New Century Hymnal" has sold nearly 190,000 copies, mainly to United Church of Christ congregations, according to the denomination's publishing arm, Pilgrim Press. The last time the church published a hymnal, 22 years ago, it took three years to sell 170,000 copies. With 617 new hymns, the new book contains much that is familiar from British and American Protestant traditions - for example, "Amazing Grace." But there are also songs in languages other than English - Spanish, in particular. Thus, the 109-year-old hymn, "Lead On, O King Eternal," has been revised as "Lead On Eternal Sovereign." The slightly older "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" appears in the new hymnal as "Dear God, Embracing Humankind." The hymnal committee devoted four years to its work, holding 35 public hearings across the country to allow church members to comment. Along the way, the committee solicited hymns "from communities of Asian-Americans, Native Americans, African-Americans, Latinos/Latinas and Hungarians" wrote its chairman, the Rev. James IV. Crawford of Boston, in the book's introduction. P.S. Many of the Calvin Synod congregations are deeply disturbed by the daring and big social changes. D? YES! I would like to order. .copies of Kálmán Csiha's book "The Light Through The Bars" # of copies x $8.00 = $. s/h - add $3.24 for 1 to 5 books TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED = 1 = $_ Please make checks payable and mail to: "The Light' Publication Project 415 Steven Boulevard Richmond Heights, Ohio 44143 Be sure to order enough gift copies... Supplies are running out fast! Name: Address:. City:___ If you order 25 copies or more, we can offer each book to you Jor only $6.00 + s/h ~~ per copy! State: Zip: Dew Lordand Fa • (her of awn-kind. For - five our foot tih
