Contemporary hymn supplement to explore current issues

A new supplement to the Church Hymnary is being launched later this month which hopes to encourage congregations to renew and reinvigorate their worship.

Titled ‘God Welcomes All', it includes over 200 hymns and songs in a wide range of styles by writers from Scotland and around the world in order to represent the breadth of modern worship in the Church of Scotland.

Most of the songs were written in the last twenty years, which reflects a call by the 2019 General Assembly to create a contemporary resource to complement the Church's existing rich musical resources.

Thanks to a generous gift from the Hymnary Trustees there will also be a suite of digital resources produced between 2024 and 2025, including expansion of the existing Church of Scotland music website, streaming functions with further information on each song, and backing tracks. Lyric videos will be on sale with special offers on whole set packages.

A mammoth 10,000 songs were considered by the editorial team who then worked with a committee of experts in music, ministry and theology to narrow this down to 219 songs.

The Church of Scotland is very broad in its style of worship and the songs selected represent a breadth of approaches and theological perspectives.

It is hoped that everyone will find something that is new and inspiring for their worshiping community.

Supplement co-editor Iain McLarty said: "Singing is a fundamental way in which our faith is shaped and in how we communicate with God.

"This exciting collection of songs will help people to do this in a way that suits our contemporary context and it includes songs that speak into current issues such as the climate crisis, lament, racial justice and poverty."

Phill Mellstrom, also a co-editor, added: "It is really exciting to see the richness of contemporary hymnody and worship song writing.

"As we chose songs for this collection we wanted to encourage the ongoing renewal of worship in the Church of Scotland, and were guided by the principles of hospitality and welcome, and that we felt that the songs really are a gift to the Church".

To celebrate the launch of ‘God Welcomes All', an event is being held at St Cuthbert's Church in Edinburgh on Sunday 19 May from 7-9pm.

It will feature special guests who have songs included in the collection as well as a choir gathered from across Church of Scotland congregations, which anyone who reads music is welcome to join.

Find out more information about the launch event and a booking form for free tickets or join the choir on the event form.