Huntsville, Alabama
2020
To engage all generations in the singing and study of hymns in order to increase worshipers' awareness of God in daily Christian living.
Provide a brief summary of the purpose and goal of your grant.
Reviving, Teaching, and Enhancing Appreciation for Hymns
What are two questions that have generated reflection on worship and helped shape your project?
- How can we continue to incorporate hymns to further enhance worship with emphasis on youth and young adult engagement?
- How can technology enhance the African American experience in hymnology?
What impact has your project had on the worship life and habits of the congregation?
The Hymn Renaissance Project introduced new hymns while reviving the messages of familiar tunes. We now have a more in-depth understanding of the meaning of hymns as related to our Christian walk. We became more aware and more appreciative of the theological and historical perspectives. Congregants were also impacted by the participation of intergenerational hymn writers.
What have been your greatest challenges (or challenging opportunities)?
Being able to maneuver and accomplish the activities of the Grant in the midst of the Pandemic. Zoom has been the best tool for implementation and success of our Project. So, once we began to receive responses from the Workshop and Project participants, the execution and performance of the Project went very well. This indeed made the “challenging opportunity” a pleasant and enriching experience.
What would you like to share with other Project Directors?
The main thing I would like to share/remind other Project Directors is the familiar saying, “Plan your work and work your plan.” Make sure you have a strong and cohesive Team whom you know will get things done with little pushing, little prodding or little need for follow-up. Meet often and share well. Be flexible, patient, and willing to change direction under the leading of the Holy Spirit.
