United Methodists Embark on New Journey to Capture African American Worship
The United Methodist Publishing House is working to create a new songbook to capture the changing musical heritage of the African American church.
The 8-million-member United Methodist Church has largely been associated with several historic black churches, and is known for its active involvement of African American leadership.
In 1980, the UMC compiled a book of hymnals and music of the African American heritage – the first such hymnal to be compiled by African Americans in a predominantly white denomination – entitled “Songs of Zion.” The worship book has since sold more than one million copies worldwide, according to the United Methodist News Service.
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The new worship book is not intended to replace “Songs of Zion,” but is considered a sequel.
“We hope Songs of Zion will continue to be used,” says Bishop Woodie W. White, chairperson of the African-American Songbook Committee, to UMNS. “Consider this a sequel.”
The new songbook will also be intended to bridge the gap between the older and younger generation of worshipers.
White said the committee will try to find at least 60 percent new material for the songbook in hopes that it will speak to a younger generation and appeal to those who did not previously attend the church.
“We hope the songbook will be a connecting one—reaching back to the past and reaching forward to the future,” said White.
No publication timeline is set yet, but the goal is to have the book released for the fall of 2006.
