Methodist Matters – November 2024
‘Born in Song! God’s people have always been singing’ is the first line of a hymn by Brian Hoare, a 20th Century Methodist Hymn Writer. Methodists have always enjoyed singing during their Services, ever since the church was formed by John Wesley in the 18th Century.
If asked which Methodist wrote the most hymns, most people would say John’s brother, Charles, who wrote around 6,500 hymns including well known ones such as ‘And can it be’, ‘O for a thousand tongues to sing’, ‘Love Divine, all loves excelling’ and ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’
Fanny Crosby, a less well-known name, however wrote over 8.000 hymns including ‘Blessed Assurance’ and ‘To God be the Glory.’ Fanny was an American Methodist and became blind when she was 6 weeks old, remaining so until she died at the age of 94.
Other prolific 20th Century Methodist hymn-writers include Fred Pratt-Green (‘Long ago, Prophets knew’) who died in 2000, aged 97; and Timothy Dudley-Smith (‘Tell out my Sou’ and ‘Lord for the Years’) who died this August, also aged 97.
Hymn-writing is not, however, restricted to historic Methodists. Our own minister, Rev Andy Murphy, also writes hymns and two of his compositions have even been included in the current Methodist Hymn Book, ‘Singing the Faith.’
At the Methodist Chapel, here in Kibworth, we enjoy our hymn-singing, and favourites are nearly always included in our Sunday Services. If you enjoy communal hymn-singing, why not come and join us one Sunday at 10.30am? Whatever your age, you will be made most welcome.
We have under-floor heating to keep you warm in the winter, you can contribute as little or as much as you can afford to our running-costs via a plate at the door, and people say that joining us was the best decision that they ever made.
“Writing hymns is harder than I thought; I can’t think of anything that rhymes with Hallelujah other than I’ll tattoo ya!”
Enquiries: Roger Piper 07941 643809
www.kibworthmethodistchurch.org.uk
Roger Piper
Main Stage Theatre Company
