Many Irish Presbyterians look forward to the publication of a new book of praise for worship. Naturally it will be entitled, The Irish Presbyterian Hymn Book.
Over a lengthy period, a sub committee with convener and press officer and representatives of all shades of opinion within the church have prepared the book for publication: it is believed that with omissions from an earlier book and inclusion of new hymns and songs of praise, the new book will appear relevant and well able to serve the needs of the church. Accompanying the hymn book, but to appear somewhat later, will be a CD Rom. The publishers, Canterbury Press Ltd. have given an assurance that this will be ready about one year after the launching of the hymn book
The new hymn book will be officially launched and duly dedicated with appropriate epilogue by the Moderator of the General Assembly, the Right Rev Dr Kenneth Newell on Saturday, September 18th in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast at 3 p.m. It is planned that an adaptation of the official launch will be broadcast by the BBC during morning service on September 26th. It is hoped that items of praise from the new book will be used in the programme, Sunday Half Hour, soon after the launch. The Hymn Book Committee are in the process of encouraging launches of the new book at other strategic centres throughout north and south.
The Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) regarded by some Irish Presbyterians still as "the mother church" will also launch and dedicate a new edition, the fourth, of their Hymnary.
Appropriately it will be done on St Andrew's Day, November 30th, the national day of Scotland. The Hymnary was last revised in 1973.
The Revision Committee, it is believed, considered around 10,000 possibles before approving 200 new hymns for inclusion in the 700 comprising the New Hymnary. An attempt has been made to reflect the world-wide community of the church: there are therefore hymns from Africa, South America, Australia and even Russia.
As well, during the eight years in revision, it has been attempted to choose hymns reflecting "new social and political circumstances". Author of some of the new hymns included, Ms Alison Robertson claims the hymnal will contain substantial Scottish material for the first time. It will be the church's most Scottish hymn book ever, she maintains.
Heated debate in the revision committee, has been reported, over "which hymns to leave out of the earlier edition" and which to include in the new. The book continues to have its critics some particularly approved that Jerusalem William Blake's beautiful if somewhat esoteric anthem, set to the music of Charles Parry, has been omitted. The hymn evokes England and even pays homage, critics believe. Some leaders in the church have considered "that the hymn is irrelevant in a devolved Scotland". Some regard these as being parochial in omitting this "work of William Blake, a visionary poet, known for his belief in social equality".
On Sunday last in Malahide Church at 7.30 p.m. a commission of the Dublin-Munster presbytery inclusive of Moderator, Clerk and neighbouring clergy with their representative elders ordained Ms Ann Harvey and Mr Nigel Dawkins as elders in the Howth and Malahide congregation. Lay elders designated as "ruling elders" in distinction from the minister of the congregation known as "the teaching elder" share with him the responsibility for matters pertaining to the spiritual life of the congregation only. But by virtue of their office (ex officio) they have membership of the committee of the congregation and participate in the ordering of more mundane matters such as finance, fabric, etc.