The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC) will conduct six national education events to acquaint Presbyterians with the church’s new hymnal, Glory to God. The new hymnal, on sale now, will be published in September in a variety of print and digital formats.

The six two-day events are being designed for pastors, musicians, worship committees, and ecumenical friends.  They will include worship services in which Glory to God will be used liturgically in a variety of ways.

According to marketing director the Rev. Mary Margaret Flannagan, topics for discussion will include global music, how to teach a new hymn, liturgical resources in Glory to God and more.  Nationally-recognized musicians, preachers, and theologians will be featured at each event: 

  • Wayne (Pa.) Presbyterian Church ― Oct. 18-19, 2013

                        Plenary speaker: Walter Brueggemann

                        Preacher: Kimberly Bracken Long

  • First Presbyterian Church, Albuquerque, N.M. ― Nov. 1-2, 2013

                        Plenary speaker: Michael Hawn

                        Preacher: Margaret Aymer

  • First Presbyterian Church, Salt Lake City ― Nov. 4-5, 2013

                        Plenary speaker: Marva Dawn

                        Preacher: Gláucia Vasconcelos Wilkey

  • First Presbyterian Church, Ft. Worth, Texas ― Jan. 9-10, 2014

                        Plenary speaker: Don Saliers

                        Preacher: Laura Mendenhall

  • Central Presbyterian Church, Atlanta ― Feb. 21-22, 2014

            Plenary speaker: Craig Barnes

            Preacher: Theresa Cho

  • Harvey Browne Presbyterian Church, Louisville ― March 14-15, 2014

            Plenary speaker: Martha Moore-Keish

            Preacher: John Wurster

More information about the events is available at http://www.presbyterianhymnal.org/launch/. Registration will open in May 2013.

The 216th General Assembly (2004) initiated the hymnal project by authorizing research into a new denominational songbook. The Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song was formed in 2008 under the leadership of hymnal Editor David Eicher and committee chair Mary Louise Bringle.

“The committee spent time analyzing other denominations’ hymnals, contemporary praise and worship trends, global music, and previous Presbyterian hymnals,” Flannagan said. PPC presented the complete list of contents to the 220th General Assembly (2012) in Pittsburgh and the Assembly commended Glory to God for use in congregational worship.

For more information or to order the hymnal, visit www.presbyterianhymnal.org. Other resources are available at blog.presbytrerianhymnalproject.com.

Flannagan can be reached by phone at 502-569-5099 or by email at mflannagan@presbypub.com.

Information for this story furnished by Mary Margaret Flannagan.