The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada – founded in 1922 as The Hymn Society of America and renamed in 1991 – is a not-for-profit organization for those people who: * believe that congregational song is an integral component of worship * believe that the writing and singing of new texts and tunes needs to be promoted * value learning about the origins of the words and music they sing Members of The Hymn Society include

clergy Clergy are formal leaders within established religions. Their roles and functions vary in different religious traditions, but usually involve presiding over specific rituals and teaching their religion's doctrines and practices. Some of the ter ...

and worship leaders, church musicians,

poet A poet is a person who studies and creates poetry. Poets may describe themselves as such or be described as such by others. A poet may simply be the creator ( thinker, songwriter, writer, or author) who creates (composes) poems ( oral or wri ...

s, composers, scholars, libraries and congregational singers of varied backgrounds and interests. Members of all denominations, races and cultures participate in the annual conferences and workshops sponsored by The Hymn Society. The Society produces a quarterly publication, ''The Hymn'', a journal of research and opinion, containing practical and scholarly articles and reflecting the diverse cultural and theological identities of the organization's membership. In 1984 it published, on microfilm, the ''Dictionary of American Hymnody'' (edited by Leonard Ellinwood and Elizabeth Lockwood), an index to the texts of more than 8000 North American hymnals.

Center for Congregational Song

The Center for Congregational Song (CCS) is the resource and programmatic arm of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada. Run by The Hymn Society and funded by Society members and donors, it works to fulfill The Hymn Society's mission to "encourage, promote, and enliven congregational singing". The current Director of the CCS is Brian Hehn.

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* {{Authority control Musical advocacy groups Organizations established in 1922 1922 establishments in the United States Non-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C.