In many faith communities, the first week of Advent is a time to cultivate hope — hope as we wait to celebrate the first coming of the Christ child at Christmas and hope and longing as we work and wait with anticipation for the coming of God’s Kingdom in all its fullness. Our authors this week will live into that hope as they reflect on Glory to God from the perspective of gender justice. What images does the hymnal use to describe God? To describe humanity? Whose experiences does the hymnal highlight? And what does all of this communicate to those who will sing these songs about what it means to be made in God’s image?
As an introduction, and for those who are still debating whether or not to buy the new hymnal, you may wish to start with Rev. Randy Bush’s thoughtful overview of the considerations he and his church have had. As the week goes on, we will hear from Miriam Foltz, James N. Hoke, and Rev. Stacey Midge as they lift up their own joys, concerns, and observations about gender justice in Glory to God.
Introduction: Does the Church Need a New Hymnal?, Rev. Randy Bush
It may sound like the start of a joke, but the question is a legitimate one: How many Presbyterians does it take to decide to buy a new church hymnal? In reality, it is a significant decision that will wind its way through countless committees, congregation members, and Sessions. It is something that has implications related to budgets… Continue Reading
Gendered Language and the Imago Dei, Miriam Foltz
When I was in fifth grade, my mom became the director of Christian Education at my home church. Consequently, before I learned to drive, I spent many hours at church waiting until it was time to go home. As it was before the age of smart phones – and because I often forgot to bring something to read – I often entertained myself by sitting down at the piano and singing through the hymnal… Continue Reading
Come, Thou Almighty Queen: Performing Gender/Justice through Hymns, James N. Hoke
Hymns are a powerful form of discourse. Along with other acts of worship, it is through hymns that our theological beliefs begin to be shaped. Indeed, it may be that hymns—out of all the forms of discourse in a traditional worship service—have the greatest influence upon our theological development, even if such development occurs unconsciously… Continue Reading
Divine Particularity, Rev. Stacey Midge
Along with the invitation to write this article about gender justice in the new PC(USA) hymnal, Glory to God, I received a list of relevant hymns. My first reaction was, “Wow, that is a whole lot of hymns with the word ‘woman’ in the title.” Continue Reading
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