Sing a joyful noise!
Hymnists sharing their music through Worship Words, are committed to inclusive language and progressive theology. Their work is copyright-free and available for free use in worship.
Please acknowledge the artist.
Linda is trained as an educator, a Clinical Musician, and an ordained interfaith minister. She is a prolific song writer, composer and performer. As a Certified Clinical Musician, she is currently employed by a regional hospice provider.
Linda’s hymns included on Worship Words:
Stephen, ordained in the United Reformed Church in Great Britain, serves in ministry in Cardiff, Wales, UK. ‘Anyone wishing to make use of my material in worship should feel free to do so; a simple authorship acknowledgement suffices. Stephen’ Click here to read more about Stephen Best.
Stephen’s hymns included on Worship Words:
Jim Burklo, retired Associate Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California, writes regularly for the ProgressiveChristianity.org liturgy project. Many of his liturgical materials can be found in his book Birdlike and Barnless: Meditations, Prayers, and Songs for Progressive Christians (2008, St Johann Press). Explore Jim Burklo’s blog for hymns, prayers and more.
Jim’s hymns included on Worship Words:
Sam writes, ‘I’m a member and elder at Central United Reformed Church in Derby, UK. I’m also currently on a candidating journey which is a response to a call into some form of ministry.’
Sam’s hymns included on Worship Words:
Kevin’s hymns included on Worship Words:
Ray’s hymns included on Worship Words:
Born in Victoria, Australia, George Stuart lives with his wife, Wendy, in Toronto, New South Wales, Australia. He received his Bachelor of Divinity at Melbourne University’s Ormond College. His career has been varied, beginning as an Industrial Chemist, then as a Church Youth Worker and as a clergy person in the Presbyterian and Uniting Churches. Subsequently he worked as a Personnel Officer/Manager, concluding his employment as a Rehabilitation Consultant. ‘He and his wife are blessed with four lovely daughters, their partners and six delightful grandchildren. He has drunk deeply from life’s love and beauty.’
George Stuart has written sing-able hymns with grounded, authentic and original lyrics set to traditional and familiar tunes. His “Singing a New Song” series includes 4 general volumes of new lyrics and 3 volumes (1 for each year) of new lyrics based on the Gospel readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. Indexes help one easily find tunes, titles, first lines and gospel passages used in 280 of the lyrics (George’s favourites). If you have the time to browse through the electronic versions of the books themselves, there are many more lyrics not listed in the indexes. The full musical scores are included beside the lyrics except when there are copyright law restrictions.
Thanks to George’s generosity, all of the lyrics published on his website are free of any copyright restrictions and limitations and thus are all available for your use.
George is happy to be contacted directly at george.stuart@exemail.com.au.
George’s hymns included on Worship Words:
Amanda Udis-Kessler is a hymnwriter, songwriter, composer, and writer who specializes in music and lyrics for liberal religious people and communities, including inclusive, social justice-minded Christians, Unitarian Universalists, and other open-hearted religious traditions. She has served informally as composer-in-residence at Vista Grande Community Church (UCC). Her music website, Queer Sacred Music, includes numerous songs. Her second website features her writing (non-music items). Click on the link to see Amanda Udis-Kessler’s liturgical work.
Thanks to Amanda for her generosity: ‘You have my full, express, written, and permanent permission to print my lyrics in full on Worship Words. Anyone interacting with your website has my full, express, written, and permanent permission to remove or copy any and all of my resources from Worship Words (and from my website queersacredmusic.com) and to freely print such resources for use in worship or other events and to adapt such resources for their immediate context as appropriate or desired (as long as such adaptations do not contradict the open-hearted and fully inclusive spirit of my materials).’
Amanda’s hymns included on Worship Words:
Photo: Music Tree tapestry by Karen Ingleton, UK
