The Eliot Church of Newton

 

 

The Chalice Hymnal

Published in 1995 by the Chalice Press (General Assembly of the Christian Church [Disciples of Christ]).  This hymnal provides a solid foundation of readings, traditional and new hymns, and a three-year cycle of daily devotion that includes Scripture readings and hymns.  The Chalice Hymnal also includes no less than forty communion hymns, making the Lord's Supper, a focus of the hymnal.  Finally, some hymn texts are amended to "eliminate or reduce archaic language, generic masculine references for humanity, and the negative use of metaphors about darkness or physical disabilities."

 

The New Century Hymnal 

Also published in 1995, but by the Pilgrim Press (United Church of Christ).  This hymnal provides traditional and new hymns, an extensive Psalter, and several Orders of Worship for use by the church.  This hymnal is distinctive in its updating of archaic language, and its use of language that would speak "...for all God's people, equally."  Thus, any language that could be diminishing to people based on race, ethnicity, sociocultural background, physical ability, gender, or sexual orientation was eliminated and replaced.  Furthermore, language was sought that would speak of a God not bound by gender.