Day Seventy- 3/11/11 Attend An All Day Lecture Given by Hymn Writer Brian A. Wren

Day Seventy: 3/11/11
New Thing: Attend An All Day Lecture Series Given By Hymn Writer Brian A. Wren      
Inspiration: Lent, Full Communion, Brian A. Wren     
Cost: $0  
Time: Five Hours.       
Bottom Line: Such a great way to spend a day off!

Yes, he is indeed British.

Reflection: Today we were blessed to have in our midst the great Rev. Dr. Brian A. Wren, one of the most well know hymns writers today. I studied alot of his hymns in seminary and we used his book, Praying Twice as one of our texts in our "Hymnody as a Resource for Preaching" Class. I know this may sound nerdy, but he really is something of a legend in liturgical musical world. And since that is just the kind of nerd I am, I was thrilled to spend a day hearing his reflections on hymns--both his own and globally. Here is the description of the all day program at Moravian College (I am especially excited about the items in bold):

On Friday, March 11, Brian Wren, one of the most prolific and popular hymn writers of our day, will present  the 2011 Weber Memorial Lectures, Surprise Us by the Words We Sing: New Hymns to Sing and Ponder. Brian studied at Oxford, taking degrees in Modern Languages and Theology, including a D. Phil for work on the Hebrew prophets. After ordination, he pastored a Congregational church in Essex, served as consultant to the British Council of Churches, and worked in the student-based world poverty campaign, Third World First. Since 1983, Brian has followed a freelance ministry, helping worshippers, ministers, educators and musicians to improve skills, and deepen spirituality. Recently retired as John and Miriam Conant Professor of Worship at Columbia Theological Seminary, he currently lives in upstate New York with his wife Susan Heafield, a United Methodist pastor. One of his hymns, I Come with Joy, was recently sung at the first celebration of full communion between the Moravian and Episcopal churches, and most contemporary hymnals include several of his hymns. The lectures will be held in Prosser Auditorium in the Haupert Union Building (HUB). Using a number of his own hymns, as well as several by Richard Leach, Shirley Murray, and other contemporary writers, Dr. Wren will discuss the history, practice, and future of congregational singing in a time of rapidly changing styles of worship.  He will conclude the day by introducing his two newest hymns, commissioned especially for this occasion in celebration of full communion and covenant partnership agreements recently approved by the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Moravian Church, and the Presbyterian Church (USA). 

As you may remember from previous posts, I get very excited about the Full Communion relationship between our Brother and Sister Churches. His hymn was one of the highlights of the musical offerings at the recent Celebration for Full Communion.  And Trinity was one of the churches who joined in commissioning these new hymn that he wrote to mark the occasion. However, he said that he was moved while writing this hymn to write a second so we got, "two for the price of one", as he joked. They are great, and I can't wait to sing them in church. 

Lenten Meditation- 

Prayed for LW &JW

Prayer Walk- All over the Moravian campus reliving some of he memories including having lunches with Lauren and spending a summer living with Kara in Hillside.

Journal with Ken- Will do it right after this. 

Music- Sang all day during the lecture and spend 30 mins with the piano.