A130 Developing alternative hymn texts
Resolved, the House of ________________ concurring,
Resolved, That the 81st General Convention authorize the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to work during the forthcoming triennium to develop a digital collection of alternative versions of hymns that address issues of problematic wording to be made available to congregations for their use with permission from their bishop and to be published by Church Publishing Incorporated; and be it further
Resolved, That efforts begun in the last triennium to identify and create such alternative texts be expanded to include communities that do not use the English language; and be it further
Resolved, That the sum of $200,000 be appropriated for this work.
Explanation
Resolution 2022-A126 directed the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to examine the Book of Common Prayer, the Hymnal 1982, and other approved liturgical materials regarding “colonialist, racist, white supremacist, imperialistic, and nationalistic language.” The Subcommittee on Liturgical Music conducted surveys of various hymns in English and identified some that contain such textual features. Furthermore, alternative wordings were suggested.
This resolution asks that this work continue, and that non-anglophone materials be added for the same consideration.