A new Hymnal Supplement

Coming this November, for the first time in 76 years, a new Hymnal Supplement! This 2008 supplement contains new inspiring and healing hymns written and arranged by Christian Scientists today, as well as hymn texts from the current Hymnal set to contemporary music. We hope you will enjoy singing these hymns as much as we have loved collecting and publishing them. These songs are offered to support the healing and joy of our church services and your practice of Christian Science.

As we reviewed the history of our Hymnal, it was surprising to all of us that a supplement was not issued sooner. In Mary Baker Eddy’s day there was a succession of new or revised Hymnals. In 1892 The Christian Science Publishing Society published the first Hymnal, with revisions in 1898, 1903, 1905, and 1909. The most significant revision was done in 1932—the Hymnal that we still use today. It includes a Supplement in the back, Hymns 401–429. These songs were added very late in the revision process, and were approved by the Christian Science Board of Directors as a way to include hymns that would be easy to sing and play in small congregations. Two of Mary Baker Eddy’s poems—”Satisfied” and “Love”—made their Hymnal debut in the 1932 version.

As some members know, a new Hymnal Committee was assembled in the late 1980s and early ‘90s. There was much diligent work, as new music and words were collected and written. While no new publication resulted at that time, we have reviewed that body of work and are enormously grateful for the dedication and inspiration of that committee. In fact, one of its members serves on the current Hymnal Supplement Committee. The healing steps already taken are blessing our efforts today.

So, a couple of years ago, this long pent-up demand for new music culminated in our decision to gather new music for a Hymnal Supplement. A group of talented musicians was enlisted to form the Hymnal Supplement Committee. The Trustees of the Publishing Society asked these musicians to find hymns that are metaphysically sound and healing; contemporary and youthful; easy to sing; global; diverse; gender-neutral when possible—and, of course, beautiful and inspiring. This group considered more than 100 hymns, recommending several dozen for publication. Many of these new hymns play beautifully on organ, piano, and digital keyboard, as well as on other instruments, such as guitar. To help those who learn music by ear, a recording of the new hymns on CD will also be sold in Christian Science Reading Rooms and online.

What is planned for the future? That is largely up to you! We hope to publish more music if there is both the demand for it and a supply of submissions from the Field. As we consider the next few years, our ideas include the following: A series of Hymnal supplements (as new and interesting music is available); CDs incorporating the new hymns sung in choral arrangements or as solos by contemporary artists; regional hymn-sings to encourage and share music possibilities; and a music-resource website to assist branch churches with solos, hymns, and performance ideas. At this point, we are committed to engaging fellow members to find new music and new ways of playing and sharing “the rhythm of head and heart,” as Mary Baker Eddy referred to music (Science and Health, p. 213).

If you have a favorite hymn to suggest, or if you would like to participate by writing music for another supplement, please see the sidebar for details on how to join this happy throng of music publishers.

A newspaper clipping from December 1894 describing an early Christian Science service noted, “The music was spirited” (Pulpit and Press, p. 29). We share with you the desire to have spirited music in our services today, and we believe this supplement nicely contributes to that healing objective.

Don Adams, Walter Jones, and Judy Wolff

The Board of Trustees of The Christian Science Publishing Society

If you’d like to submit a hymn for possible inclusion in a future hymn supplement, we’d be delighted to hear from you! Please include the following in your submission:

An original hymn with both text and tune created by the submitter, appropriate for a Christian Science church service.

Please include: An electronic version of both music and words in a music-writing program such as Sibelius or Finale

A PDF of the hymn music and words

A document containing just the text of the hymn

Confirmation that the submitter is the sole copyright owner of both music and words

An adaptation of a favorite hymn

If you wish to submit an adaptation of a favorite hymn, please provide the original hymn words and/or music, and include:

The hymnal title and its edition and publisher

Title of the hymn, hymn number, and page number

In addition, please send the information requested in the steps listed above under the directions for submitting an original hymn

Clearly mark the work as an adaptation and confirm that you are the sole copyright owner of the adaptation

Suggestion of a favorite hymn

If you wish to propose including a favorite hymn in a supplement, please provide:

The hymnal title and its edition and publisher

Title of the hymn, hymn number, and page number

The Christian Science Publishing Society will obtain all rights, where necessary, for works published in Hymnal supplements.

Submissions should be sent to Hymnal-Submissions@csps.com or to Hymn Supplements, c/o The Christian Science Publishing Society, 210 Massachusetts Ave., P03–40, Boston, MA 02115. Please include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. All hymn submissions will be acknowledged. Please watch the Christian Science periodicals for information about closing dates for submissions.

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