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Bulletin: Work on UMC hymnal halted
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The United Methodist Hymnal Revision Committee has halted its work because of a lack of funds, according to a committee member (see post, "What Would God Have Us Do?").
The Rev. Heather Josselyn, representative to the hymnal committee from the Order of St. Luke, a monastic association focused on liturgy, music and sacramental life, told the OSL Cyber-Chapter that the committee was informed in its Tuesday teleconference there's no money for the project.
"A report, with our findings and work to-date, will be presented at the next General Conference, and in 2012 we will see if there is funding and momentum for another push." Rev. Josselyn said in her email. "In the mean time, however, many of us on the HRC are hoping to contribute to this future work in whatever way may be helpful."
A press release posted at 11 a.m. May 19 on the Facebook Group, New United Methodist Hymnal, gave details:
“The resources required to sustain a dedicated staff and pay for the planned activities are simply not available at this time and will not be available in time for completion of the assignment to deliver proposed content for a new compilation to the next General Conference,” Bishop Ernest S. Lyght, chair of the HRC, told the members of the committee. “As a result, and with great regret, we acknowledge that the United Methodist hymnal revision project cannot continue this quadrennium due to unexpected and extraordinary financial constraints resulting from the world-wide economic crisis.”
The press release continues:
"Both Karen Greenwaldt, General Secretary of the General Board of Discipleship, and Neil Alexander, President and Publisher of UMPH, told the committee that special projects in the development of resources for the church’s liturgical life and music ministries will be pursued on other tracks. The two agencies will collaborate with each other and with worship leaders across the connection in the next months, they said. The Facebook New United Methodist Hymnal Group will continue as a valuable resource for new and emerging publishing projects in worship and music for the church.
"UMPH, which is completely self-funding, would have to invest at least $2 million in the development of the new hymnal. While eventual sales of the revised hymnal would likely recover the investment and exceed it, at this time sufficient funding to continue the work is not available either from ongoing operations or from reserves.
“The news that the project cannot move forward for lack of funding is unwelcome for all involved,” said Bishop Lyght. “But it is also understandable as we witness the rollbacks and financial constraints faced by many churches, annual conferences, and United Methodist organizations.”
Dr. Dean McIntyre, one of the co-editors, added this comment on the Facebook group:
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