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The article titled "A Monthly Newsletter" discusses the limitations that individuals and communities place on congregational singing. The author, Felicia Patton, raises questions about how to overcome these limitations and embrace new songs and traditions. The article also announces the upcoming 2024 Annual Conference, which will focus on the theme of "Without Limits: Singing the Congregation's Song." The conference will take place at Emory University in Atlanta and will provide opportunities for discussions on these topics. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the upcoming Annual Conference of The Hymn Society, which will be held at Emory University in Atlanta from July 14-17. The conference will feature communal singing with the Black Church, led by dynamic leaders such as Raymond Wise, James Abbington, Alisha Lola Jones, and Donté Ford. In addition to the evening hymn festivals, the conference will include plenary addresses by scholars, sectional presentations, an Emerging Scholars Forum, a hymnal showcase, a featured session, and connection zones. Organists can also participate in an intensive institute on leading congregational song and playing hymns, directed by Nathaniel Gumbs. Early-bird rates are available until March 15. [Extracted from the article]

Dear Members and Friends, During October I had the privilege of recording an interview with hymn writer, theologian, and educator Mary Louise "Mel" Bringle, FHS. Toward the end of the interview, Mel spoke about how important it was for her to support The Hymn Society and The Center for Congregational Song. Over the past two years The Hymn Society and The Center for Congregational Song have been at the forefront in providing information, guidance, resources, and networking opportunities as leaders have dealt with the coronavirus pandemic. [Extracted from the article]

The Annual Conference is of course the highlight of the year for The Hymn Society, but our work continues all year long. We sang French songs in a nation where English language and power have dominated. Dear Members and Friends, As I write this column, I'm back at my desk for the first time since returning from the Annual Conference of The Hymn Society in Montréal. [Extracted from the article]

Paul said he expected to encounter something like he had experienced in someother professional societies--people vying for attention and trying to show howmuch better they were than their colleagues. About two weeks ago I had the privilege and joy of conducting an onlineinterview with musician, pastor, hymn writer, and scholar Paul Westermeyer, FHS.When I asked him about his long involvement in The Hymn Society, he spoke aboutthe first time he participated in an Annual Conference. The HymnSociety brings together a network of scholars, students, musicians, pastors,song leaders, hymnwriters, composers, and others committed to encouraging,promoting, and enlivening congregational song. [Extracted from the article]

As we look toward the conclusion of this jubilee year, leaders of The Hymn Society will be reflecting on how best to set a course for the coming years. We had a grand celebration of The Hymn Society's one-hundredth anniversary during our recent Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., but of course our centennial year isn't over. The Executive Committee (EC), which serves as our governing board, will be holding its annual three-day retreat near the end of October. [Extracted from the article]

As we look toward the conclusion of this jubilee year, leaders of The Hymn Society will be reflecting on how best to set a course for the coming years. We had a grand celebration of The Hymn Society's one-hundredth anniversary during our recent Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., but of course our centennial year isn't over. The Executive Committee (EC), which serves as our governing board, will be holding its annual three-day retreat near the end of October. [Extracted from the article]

If you believe in the importance of communal song and you are not yet a member of The Hymn Society, please join us today. Creators of texts and tunes have enabled us to "sing a new song" in the face of new challenges. Leaders of congregational song have devised creative ways to serve their communities and to keep the song going. [Extracted from the article]

My memory of this year's conference will always include the backdrop against which we are meeting, beginning with the recent killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. These terrible crimes have exposed yet again the systemic racism in our society and have ignited a wave of protests unlike any that I can recall since 1968. This year's conference also takes place in the context of a pandemic that has infected millions, killed hundreds of thousands, and has led to severe hardships for the most vulnerable among us. [Extracted from the article]