Hymns

Favorite Hymn Excercise:
A Holy Conversation for ALL Church Members, Committees, & Groups During the Month of August

Thank you for taking the time to do this excercise on favorite hymns. You may complete this excercise by yourself, with your family, in your committee, in your coffee hour breakout room, or in your small group any time during the month of August.

This excercise comprises the first of several Holy Conversations that we will hold as a congregation to discern our history, who we are today, and strategically plan where we are going tomorrow. These Holy Conversations about our identity and direction will form a strong foundation for our next chapter in our life together, helping us to discern what we will need to reach our goals in the way of resources, structuring, and leadership.

Your participation, and the participation of ALL church members in these Holy Conversations is crucial. So please, take the time to engage in this excercise below in your committees, your small groups, your families, or on your own during the month of August. Just like voting, your voice matters.

If you are a group leader or committee chair, please set aside some time in your agenda or gathering when you can have this Holy Conversation with your members. Your group's input will help guide the future of UCC. Expect to hear soon about the theological emphasis of United Christian Church of Austin as discovered in this, our first, Holy Conversation.

For ground rules for group discussions, please follow this link.

Favorite Hymn Excercise Response Form

* Indicates required field

First and Last Name *

Are you a member of United Christian Church of Austin? *

Yes, I am a member. I am a regular guest. I am a youth. I am not a member.

Give yourself space and time to think. If you have a hymnal, thumb through it or its index. If you don't have a hymnal, you can click on this link to see the hymns listed in our pew hymnal, The New Century Hymnal to start brainstorming.
We will use your hymns and ideas to choose music for this worship series, our Old Fashioned Hymn Sing at the end of the month, and to inform leadership about the theological grounding of our congregation.

Write down the name or the first words of your favorite hymn. You may interpret the word "hymn" as broadly as you wish... anything from Beatles to Bach. *

Write a sentence or two about why that hymn or song is powerful for you. (Don't just write down "the words" or "the music." What about the text is meaningful to you? What about the tune do you find moving?) *

Based on the hymn(s) I/we chose, how do I/we see God? *

Based on the hymn(s) I/we chose, how do I/we see human life? *

Based on the hymn(s) I/we chose, how do I/we see as the purpose of a congregation? *

If working in a group, identify the other hymns selected and reflect on the similarities and differences among the responses. Is there a clear theological emphasis or theological division that comes to light? What does this emphasis or division sound like you? *

What hymns hold powerful imagery or language that you would like for the planning committee to reflect on as they work on a mission or vision statement for our church in the days ahead? *

Other thoughts or comments related to this excercise: *

Concerning quoting me: *

You have my permission to use quotations from any of my responses above. Please contact me first to discuss using any quotations from my responses above. Please do not use any quotations from my responses above.

Submit

Favorite Hymn Excercise:A Holy Conversation for ALL Church Members, Committees, & Groups During the Month of August

Favorite Hymn Excercise Response Form

Favorite Hymn Excercise:
A Holy Conversation for ALL Church Members, Committees, & Groups During the Month of August