A Symposium for Hymn Writers and Translators!

Ladies and gentlemen, I have doubly good news to tell you! First, there will be a symposium for hymn writers and translators in cooperation with The Good Shepherd Institute. Second, GSI has slightly altered their dates so that it isn’t over All Saints’!

Granted, their All Saints’ Vespers was always exceedingly beautiful and meaningful. At the same time, some holidays should be spent with your immediate church family. I know that our congregation said goodbye to some very beloved members. I’d hate to miss that service.

This year’s GSI theme is hymnody as “a living tradition and something new.” I daresay if anyone can do justice to that theme, it’s the faculty and friends of CTSFW! Go here to register. Oddly I can’t find their pamphlet and schedule online. We got one in the mail . . . hmm.

Then, goodness,  you’re going to love this next part: The theme of the hymn writing symposium is “Teach us Jesus Christ to Know Aright.” It basically follows the GSI schedule and then adds on more sessions and mentoring opportunities. GSI is  Sunday, November 10th, 7pm, through Tuesday, November 12th lunchish. The symposium begins its specialized focus Tuesday after lunch and ends Thursday morning.

Whether or not you can attend, aren’t you incredibly thankful that a Lutheran church body is taking the time, money, and attention to invest in hymn writers and translators?!

I’ll attach the official blurbs about the symposium below:

Description

This symposium is a joint effort of the LCMS Office of International Mission, the Office of National Mission, and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne and is offered in tandem with the 20th Annual Conference of The Good Shepherd Institute (GSI) on the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary (http://www.ctsfw.edu/ctsfw-events/good-shepherd-institute). The symposium is an opportunity for writers and translators of hymn texts to gather together, learn from experts in their field, and from each other.

In addition to offering presentations on selected topics, symposium faculty will be available during “mentoring” periods to work with participants on their hymn writing and translating craft. There will be a number of international hymn writers and translators present and participating as well, so this international component promises a rich and inspiring symposium.

Scholarships

Through the Worship Department of the LCMS Office of National Mission, a limited number of scholarships are available in the amount of $160—to cover the cost of registration for the GSI Conference ($130) and one banquet ticket ($30). To receive a scholarship:

1. Complete the scholarship application information below and email it to:
   sandy.bowers @ lcms.org.
2. LCMS Worship will review your application and then send you notification
   when you have been approved to receive the scholarship.
3. Register online for the GSI Conference at http://www.ctsfw.edu/ctsfwevents/good-shepherd-institute/.
4. Email a copy of your receipt as proof of registration to sandy.bowers @ lcms.org.
5. LCMS Worship will then mail you a check for $160.
   Scholarship Application Information

In the body of an email to sandy.bowers @ lcms.org, please include the following:

• Name
  Address
• City/State/Zip
• Phone number
• Name of LCMS congregation you attend
• A sample hymn text or translation that you have written

Phone contact: Sandy Bowers, LCMS Worship, 314-996-1741.
Scholarship money is available through the LCMS Office of National Mission.
Registration for the hymn writers symposium is limited.

Thanks be to God! And I’m so thankful for the leadership of the LCMS that this happening! Yay, yay, yay!