2021 Lecture Series: Brethren and Mennonite Hymns, Past and Present
The Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center’s 2021 fall lecture series was held Sunday, September 26, 4-7 pm, at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren, and featured two presentations on hymnody.
The first presentation, given by Sam Funkhouser, will explored the early English-language hymnbooks of the Brethren, beginning with the first of these books, The Christians Duty (1791). Special attention was given to the sources utilized in the compilation of The Christians Duty and the questions that they raise about Brethren worship, doctrine, and inter-denominational relations at the turn of the nineteenth century. This discussion of The Christians Duty was then followed by an overview of the ways in which the hymns contained in The Christians Duty were retained, modified, or discarded in subsequent Brethren hymn books and hymnals, up to and including the books published by the Old German Baptist Church and the Brethren Church shortly after the divisions of the early 1880s.
Sam Funkhouser is the Executive Director of the Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center and a member of the Old German Baptist Brethren Church, New Conference. He has been a regular writer and presenter on Brethren history and theology, and his book on early Brethren hymnody serves as the basis for this lecture.
In the second presentation, Benjamin Bergey explored the new Mennonite hymnal, Voices Together. Bergey provided background information, insights, and innovations of the new collection while allowing participants to experience many songs through singing together, focusing on the Anabaptist contributions included.
Benjamin Bergey is an active song leader and conductor. He is assistant professor of music at Eastern Mennonite University, where he conducts the choirs and orchestra and teaches music theory and conducting. He also advises the new Music and Peacebuilding major. In addition to serving as music editor for Voices Together, he is director of music at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church and conducts the Rapidan Orchestra.