What began as a simple idea, born in the frustration of not finding an
existing hymnal that met enough of our needs, soon grew to a project of
considerable proportions.
We started by choosing a pool of 800 hymns and 150 responses based on
suggestions from the entire congregation. Many of the newer selections in
this pool had demonstrated their appeal and ‘staying power’ during the past
ten years. Next, a Hymn Selection Committee representing diverse
congregational backgrounds sang and rated each of the hymns, selecting more
than 500 for inclusion here. Because half of our membership comes from a
denomination other than Congregational or UCC, the hymnal choices reflect
many religious traditions.
Initially our effort was to be a one-time only printing, just for our
congregation. But word of our project spread and, by press-time, we were
joined by four other churches, all UCC-affiliated:
North Congregational Church of St. Johnsbury, VT
First Congregational Church of Hendersonville, NC
First Parish Church Congregational of Dover, NH
First Congregational UCC of Appleton, WI
Since the first printing, there has been an
overwhelmingly positive response from other churches. Today, the churches
listed below are singing from the hymnal, and the tenth printing is
targeted for delivery in the fall of 2010. Inquiries are welcome; please
contact hymnal co-editor Maggi Tucker, who works with churches choosing
hymns for their hymnal supplement. She is also the liaison with the
computer service and with copyright owners. Co-editor David Nussman handles
the financial end and deals with the printer.
As of April 2009, these ninety-one churches are singing from Hymns of
Truth & Light:
California
Foster City, Island United
Hayward, United
Los Altos Foothills Congregational
Palo Alto First Congregational
San Diego University United Church
Connecticut
Bloomfield, First Congregational Church
Chester, United Church
Clinton, First Church of Christ
Haddam, First Congregational
Hartford, Asylum Hill Congregational
Kensington, Congregational Church
New Canaan, Congregational Church
New Haven, United Church on the Green
Old Lyme, First Congregational Church
Redding, First Church of Christ,
Congregational
Simsbury, First Church of Christ
South Windham, First Congregational
Westbrook, First Congregational
Florida
Sanibel Island, Congregational UCC
Illinois
Crystal Lake, First Congregational
Iowa
Des Moines, Plymouth
Louisiana
Freedom Fellowship
Maine
Boothbay Harbor, The Congregational Church
Bristol, Congregational Church
Brownfield, Community Church
Gorham, First Parish Congregational
Hancock, Union Congregational
Houlton, First Congregational
Newcastle, 2nd Congregational
Newfield, Community of Friendship & Fellowship
Portland, Woodfords Congregational
Saco, First Parish Congregational
Scarborough, First Congregational
South Portland, First Congregational Church
Standish, Congregational Church
Westbrook, Prides Corner Congregational Church
Wiscasset, First Congregational Church
Massachusetts
Arlington, Park Avenue Congregational
Belmont, Plymouth Congregational Church
Cambridge, First Church, Congregational
Georgetown, First Congregational Church
Marblehead, First Church (Old North)
Marshfield, First Congregational
Natick, First Congregational
Newton Center, First Baptist
Plymouth, Church of the Pilgrimage
Sharon, First Congregational
South Dartmouth, Congregational Church
Wellesley, Wellesley Hills Congregational
Church
West Barnstable, West Parish Church
Weston, First Parish Church, UUA
Williamstown, Second Congregational
Wrentham, Original Congregational
Michigan
Comstock Park, Congregational
Grand Blanc, First Congregational
Manistee, First Congregational Church
Minnesota
Wayzata, Community Church
Missouri
Cameron, Crossroads Correctional Center
Gerald, St. Paul
New
Hampshire
Dover, First Parish Church
Jackson, Community Church
New Jersey
Short Hills, Community CC
New York
Garden City, Community Church
Snyder, Amherst Community
North
Carolina
Durham, Pilgrim UCC
Hendersonville, First Congregational
Tryon, Congregational Church
Ohio
Hudson, First Congregational
Ravenna, Edinburgh UCC
Oregon
Eugene, St. Mary’s Episcopal
Pennsylvania
Schwenksville, Heidelberg
South
Dakota
De Smet, First Congregational Church
Texas
Dallas, Central Congregational Church
Houston, First Congregational Church
Luling, Grace Mission UCC
San Angelo, The Gathering
Houston, Cathedral of Hope
Vermont
Charlotte, Congregational Church
Greensboro, United Church of Christ
Guilford, Community Church
North Bennington, Congregational Church
Orleans, Federated Church
St. Johnsbury, North Congregational Church
Virginia
Hampton, First UCC
Wisconsin
Appleton, First Congregational Church
Eau Claire, First Congregational Church
Elcho, United Church of Christ
Kempster, United Church of Christ
Land-O-Lakes, Ely Memorial Church
Phelps, Congregational UCC
Rhinelander, First Congregational Church
