Hymn Blog - October 25, 2009

October 25, 2009

MV 53 – God Who Spread the Boundless Prairie. Recognized as the best known and one of the most highly regarded preachers in the Anglican Church, Herbert O'Driscoll is a former urban Cathedral Dean in Vancouver, British Columbia, and former Warden of the College of Preachers, Washington National Cathedral. He is the celebrated author of 30 books, including A Doorway in Time, a reflection of his own Celtic spirituality, and Emmanuel, written while in the Holy Land. In great demand as a speaker and conference leader, O'Driscoll is at once a brilliant scholar and mesmerizing Irish storyteller. Composer Judith Snowdon was born in England but completed her formal music education in Canada. A recipient of ARCTs from The Royal Conservatory of Music in both Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy, she completed her formal composition studies at Canadian Mennonite University (Bachelor of Church Music) and the University of Winnipeg (Gold Medalist – Bachelor of Arts). An award winning composer and accomplished church musician, Judith also managed a successful private studio for over twenty years and currently teaches piano at The Chocolate River Conservatory in Dieppe, NB. Judith also works part-time for the Mennonite Central Committee and serves as organist/choir director at McKees Mills United Church in New Brunswick where she lives.

MV 191 – What Can I Do? See last week’s hymn blog.

MV 78 – God Weeps. Shirley Erena Murray is a hymn text writer, born in Invercargill, New Zealand in 1931. Her texts have appeared in more than 100 collections worldwide and have been translated into several languages. She has been an editor with the New Zealand Hymnbook Trust and received international acclaim for her writing, including being made a Fellow of the Royal School of Church Music (2006) and becoming a Member of the NZ Order of Merit (2001) for services to the community through hymn writing. She is the first citizen to be so honoured. Shirley has been the Erik Routley Fellow (PCUSA) in 1996 and her hymns have been included in the worship of the World Council of Churches' Assemblies. She was named a Fellow of the Hymn Society in 2009. DELGADO, the setting to this lovely hymn of lament was written by California composer Jim Strathdee.

VU 678 – For the Healing of the Nations. This is perhaps the most performed of the over 200 hymns written by Fred Kaan (see obituary in last week’s blog). The hymn was first sung by Fred’s congregation in Plymouth at a service marking United Nations day in 1965. It was first associated with Henry Purcell’s tune WESTMINSTER ABBEY in 1973 at a “Come and Sing” event held in Westminster Abbey.

MV 15 – Holy Sacred Spirit. One of Australia's most highly respected Christian composers and workshop facilitators, Monica is a teacher with additional studies in spirituality, pastoral guidance, liturgy  and creative arts. She has been awarded a Masters Honours Degree in Education from the Australian Catholic University, having completed her thesis on spiritual development and the integration of creative process. Her expertise is in religious education, worship and ritual, and scripture story telling through the integration of creative process. Her highly acclaimed book, ‘Embodying The God We Proclaim - Ministering as Jesus Did'  reflects something of the depth of spiritual insight that typifies Monica’s ministry.