Mennonite hymnal launched

Opinion

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This article was published 01/03/2021 (1685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

More than four years of work by a volunteer group that includes two Manitobans culminated last year with the publication of a hymnal that will be used in Mennonite churches throughout North America.

Paul Dueck of the RM of Cartier and Darryl Neustaedter Barg of Winnipeg have been a part of the Mennonite Song and Worship Committee, the 13-person binational group tasked with curating the hymnal, since 2016.

The hymnal, titled Voices Together, was published in the fall by MennoMedia, an agency of Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA.

It is the successor to 1992’s Hymnal: A Worship Book.

Dueck, a retired high-school and college music teacher who has led singing and worship throughout North and South America, applied for the committee after receiving encouragement from his pastor.

“I didn’t hesitate too long,” recalls Dueck, 64. “I thought hey, might as well give it a try.”

Neustaedter Barg, who works in communications and multimedia at Mennonite Church Manitoba and Canadian Mennonite University, also had people encourage him to apply.

“Making a hymnal is a bigger project than probably any of us could ever have imagined,” says the 52-year-old musician, who has led worship for more than three decades. “I didn’t really know what I was getting into, as most of us on the committee would probably attest.”

To create the hymnal, the committee met in person three times a year for about four years, with many Zoom meetings in between. In the process, committee members screened more than 10,000 songs and worship resources (prayers, readings and artwork).

The final product contains 1,069 items.

In addition to the pew version, which most people will become familiar with in their congregations, Voices Together is available in a number of additional formats: a large-print edition, an accompaniment edition, a worship-leader edition, a projection edition and an app.

A collection of audio recordings of selections from the hymnal is also available.

Virtual launch events, including one in December and another in January, have replaced in-person launch events that had been planned for Winnipeg and Elkhart, Ind. prior to COVID-19.

The irony of launching a hymnal — titled Voices Together, no less — in the middle of a pandemic, when large gatherings and group singing are prohibited, is not lost on committee members.

“It’s horrible, really,” Neustaedter Barg says. “For many of us, music is the peak expression of worship — not for everybody, but for many of us. And to not be able to do this together is super odd and sad.”

Until congregational singing can happen again, Dueck hopes people take the time to study the texts and readings, as well as enjoy the artwork contained in the hymnal.

“There’s a lot of good options to still study the book and appreciate everything that’s in there,” he says.

The two men are thankful for their time on the committee. They formed new friendships and had a hand in creating something that will serve the church for decades to come.

“People just really respected what other people brought to the table,” Neustaedter Barg says of the committee. “That’s a highlight. That doesn’t always happen, even in the church.”

“It’s been quite a ride, let me tell you, and what a privilege,” Dueck adds. “It’s been life-giving to me as I continue on with music in the church.”

A third Voices Together virtual launch event is scheduled for March 10 at 6:30 p.m. Visit voicestogetherhymnal.org for details.

If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.