Hymnal Council

Title: Hymnal Council fonds

Dates of creation: 1990-1991

Physical description: 9 cm of textual material

Administrative history: The Hymnal Council was formed in 1983 by representatives of the Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Church, and General Conference Mennonite Church with the aim of co-publishing a hymnal by 1992. The Council divided its work among three committees: worship, music, and text. The Council completed its work in 1991; Hymnal : a worship book was published in 1992.

The Council faced the challenges of balancing both familiar and new hymns, accounting for a variety of worship styles, and introducing cultural and linguistic diversity. Its primary challenge became how to accommodate inclusive (non-sexist) language in hymn texts. Its mandate included creating a substantial section of worship resources (prayers, litanies, Scripture readings).

Custodial history: Donated to the Archives by John Rempel, about 1991.

Scope and content: The fonds consists of materials gathered by John Rempel, a member of the worship committee. It includes various lists of potential hymns, a packet of worship resources prepared by the worship committee which includes a rationale for their choices, and a nearly-complete hymnal draft heavily annotated by John Rempel; possibly the draft used by the Council in the final decision making process.

Notes: Original description created by Laureen Harder-Gissing in 2012.

File list:

1. Correspondence and title lists
2. Packet of worship resources prepared by the Worship committee
3. Hymnal draft