Gathering input from dioceses across Canada and material from around the world, developers of a supplementary collection of congregational hymns are ready to bring their project into the limelight.
The Hymn Book Supplement Task Force was formed approximately two years ago through the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee of General Synod to explore the creation of a hymn collection that would supplement Common Praise and reflect developments in congregational music.
A diverse team of Anglican musicians, both lay and ordained, its members include:
- Kenneth Hull, chair, associate professor of music at the University of Waterloo
- Becca Whitla, former music director at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Toronto, PhD candidate in Sacred Music at Toronto School of Theology
- Michael Capon, music director of St. George’s Cathedral in Kingston
- David Buley, associate professor of music education at Laurentian University
- the Rev. Martha Tatarnic, rector of St. George’s Anglican Church in St. Catharines
The task force followed a twofold approach in preparing the collection. After looking through resources already familiar to them, they contacted each diocese to organize consultations in which participants discussed specific resources and hymns they used.
While the process is set to wrap up in the coming months, the task force is still accepting material and feedback. Suggestions may be sent to [email protected].
As the church explores how it will make use of the supplementary collection, the task force is striving to highlight the project’s importance at a time when the ministries of the Anglican Church of Canada face enormous challenges.
“Without a strong liturgy and without a strong sense of corporate identity that finds expression in [the church’s] music, it’s going to be really hard to find the strength to move forward,” Whitla said.