Hymns by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

Hymn News

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When Waters Roar and Foam is a new hymn to support churches' relief efforts after Hurricane Sandy.

O Lord, May All We Say and Do is Carolyn's new hymn on the Letter of James for the new issue of Baylor University's Christian Reflection journal; it is posted online along with a worship service (PDF file) that she wrote.


Hymns for Upcoming Sunday Worship
(see also Lectionary Index)

What people are saying about Carolyn's hymns
and her new book of hymns,
Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor:

"Whenever there is an important season in the life of the Church, a major step forward in Christian unity, or a human or natural disaster that calls for lament and consolation, I have come to expect a new hymn from Carolyn Winfrey Gillette that lifts up in song our deepest yearnings to God. And what a gift those hymns have been! Many of those songs, along with others, have now found their way into a new book of hymns and meditations by Carolyn, Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor. This book is a tremendous gift to all the people of God to renew our worship and connect it in powerful ways to the mission and unity of the Church. It is also a rich resource for our prayer life and a strong reminder of God's call to us all to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly (Micah 6: 8). I recommend it with great enthusiasm to all who seek songs of grace that lead us to serve God and neighbor more faithfully!"
—The Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, President of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, Visiting Professor of Ecumenical Studies and Global Ministries at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and former Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

"I have appreciated Carolyn's hymns for many years. The contemporary lyrics set to traditional tunes allow congregations to sing their laments as well as their praises. Her Lectionary based hymns put proclamation into the voices of the congregation as they sing beautiful interpretations of the text. Her timely hymns, prayerfully crafted after moments of crisis in our world, name the suffering as well as the hope we can bring in the midst of devastation. Carolyn's hymns are a rich resource for any worship gathering."
—Rev. Dr. Kathy Black
Gerald Kennedy Chair of Homiletics and Liturgics
Claremont School of Theology
Claremont, California

"Carolyn Gillette's poetry and imagery reminds me of both Tom Troeger and Wendell Berry, homey, yet profound, packed with inspirational material, making this an excellent devotional volume. Every poem is placed in a scriptural context, and shares evocative insights. In addition, she suggests well-known hymn tunes for singing around the family table or in communal worship. It is excellent."
—The Rev. Dr. Arlo D. Duba, Hymn Writer,
Professor of Worship Emeritus, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary

"The most impressive aspect of Carolyn's poetry is her imagery. She uses powerful words, and words that aren't expected. That's one of the qualities I have admired about many of Brian Wren's earlier hymns. Carolyn continues that tradition. I was especially moved by those hymns that deal with war and the innocent victims left in its wake. The variety of tunes and meters is rich and infinitely singable. The indices are especially helpful."
—Michael Morgan, Author of Psalter for Christian Worship
Minister of Music and Organist at Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta
Seminary Musician for Columbia Theological Seminary

"Illuminating, inspiring, insightful, are a few words to describe Carolyn's hymn lyrics. She is always at the forefront on just about any issue of the Christian faith. National disasters, World events, Cultural shifts, like God she is ever present and makes us think about our call as Christians to face the challenges of the world before us with the depth of our faith. I have used "God of the Women" in countless women's retreats and conference events. It has encouraged women to rethink who God is calling them to be and reminding us all of a call greater than ourselves."
—Rev. Dr. Lanie B. Price,
St. John's United Methodist Church, Hazlet, New Jersey

"We have found that Carolyn's hymns are perfectly suited for congregational singing because they marvelously combine the known with the unexpected. She breathes new life into old familiar tunes through careful readings of the Church's scripture and confessions and passion for God's world in its pain, paradox, and promise."
—Rev. Dr. Thomas John Hastings
Director of Research
Center of Theological Inquiry
Princeton, New Jersey

 
Books of Carolyn's hymns
Books including Carolyn's hymns
A Dozen Ways to Support Carolyn's Hymn Writing

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We are happy to send you news about new hymns by Carolyn. For example, her hymn "Abraham Journeyed to a New Country" is inspired in part by Hebrews 13, the lectionary epistle lesson for August 29th. Church World Service, Sojourners, the National Council of Churches, Mennonite Church USA, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and others are promoting this hymn about the church's ministry with immigrants. Three of Carolyn's hymns ("Down by the Jordan," "O Christ, When You Ascended" and "Whatever You Do") are included in Worship and Song: for United Methodists (Abingdon Press, February 2011). Carolyn has several other hymns in the works.

To request occasional free update notes about Carolyn's hymns, send an email message to bcgillette@comcast.net with "hymn news" in the subject line. We appreciate your sharing hymn news with pastors, church musicians and others who love hymns.