New Methodist hymn collection to be published in 2011

The Methodist Conference has announced plans to publish 'Singingthe Faith', a major new authorised hymn collection for theChurch.

The collection contains 772 hymns and songs, plus 59 canticles andpsalms. It has been six years in the making, and will be the firstauthorised Methodist collection in thirty years. Leading modernhymn writers, including many Methodists, are represented alongsidethe best of Methodist heritage, such as hymns by CharlesWesley.

Revd Barbara Bircumshaw, Chair of the Music Resource Group, said,"This collection represents the best of old and new. Worshippingthrough music and lyrics is at the very heart of what it means tobe Methodist and drafting this major resource has been a reallabour of love. Our expert compilers have sifted through literallythousands of hymns to produce a collection of unsurpassed qualityand breadth. The collection draws on both the well-known and themodern, with songs for all ages, from Christian traditions aroundthe world."

For founder of Methodism, John Wesley, singing was essential to aperson's spiritual life. So much so that he wrote a list of seven'directions for singing' for his fellow Christians. These includedthe entreaty to "Sing lustily and with good courage."

The collection will be launched with a 'big sing' event at the 2011Methodist Conference in Southport.

Singing the Faith will be published by Hymns Ancient and Modern.The full music edition will cost £30, the words edition £9 and thelarge print words edition £15. At a future date, these will besupported by electronic resources, including a website offering afree range of extra resources and products relating to the corehymn collection.