14.09.2015
New Hymnbook Has Something for Everyone in All Parishes of the Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland’s new hymnbook will enrich worship whether in small congregations or large cathedrals. That was the commendation given to Thanks & Praise, the new supplement to the Church Hymnal, which was launched in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, on Friday evening (September 11).
The hymnbook was launched by the Archbishop of Dublin and the Archbishop of Armagh in the cathedral’s Lady Chapel. The large attendance had an opportunity to try out some of the hymns and the junior choirs of Taney and Kilternan parishes and the St Gall’s Choir from Canralea, Bangor also sang some hymns. Musician Edwin Brown performed the hymn he wrote, Hymn 124 See the Lamb of God.
Jacqueline Mullen, a member of the subcommittee who compiled Thanks & Praise, gave background information on the hymns chosen explaining that the hymnbook came about as a way of addressing areas where it was felt more hymns were needed.
Speaking on behalf of Standing Committee, the Revd Gillian Wharton, Honorary Secretary of General Synod, commended the hard work of the Liturgical Advisory Committee (LAC) in producing Thanks & Praise to make worship more joyful.
Bishop Harold Miller, Chair of the LAC, compared the publication of Thanks & Praise to the birth of a child. “Like the birth of a child, this is a book with which we will share our worship lives,” he said. “Thanks & Praise is born and you are witnesses today to that birth. It is a baby which I believe we will grow to love, nurture and value and will be a blessing to us in the future.”
Launching Thanks & Praise, Archbishop Richard Clarke said that the hymnbook was the Church of Ireland’s contribution to another welling up of hymnody within the Church. He praised Bishop Miller for coming up with the idea and the committee who put it together, in particular the Revd Dr Peter Thompson. “The wonder of this book is that people will be familiar with the tunes. It is a book that people will be able to use in all parishes of the Church of Ireland… Within its covers there is something for everyone,” the Archbishop stated.
Launching the resources which compliment Thanks & Praise (the Braille Edition, Companion to Thanks & Praise, Sing to the Word and Recorded Church Music), Archbishop Michael Jackson said these elements made the book even more accessible and inclusive. “These resources make it possible for many more people to enjoy and use Thanks & Praise and embed it in the life of the Church of Ireland,” he commented. He noted that the Braille Edition was published before the main edition and said that often the contribution of people with disabilities was not sufficiently appreciated.
For further information, prices and ordering of Thanks & Praise see: www.ireland.anglican.org/hymnalsupplement
Photo captions:
Top – The Revd Dr Peter Thompson, Archbishop Michael Jackson, Archbishop Richard Clarke and Bishop Harold Miller.
Middle – The Junior Choirs of Taney and Kilternan.
Bottom – Jacqueline Mullen, Kevin O’Sullivan and the Revd Julie Bell.