Virtual Hymnal A New UU Virtual Hymnal Is Under Construction
Virtual Hymnal
Our Vision: to build a living collection of song resources through an accessible, equitable, online platform grounded in UU values. This virtual hymnal will help Unitarian Universalism live into our prophetic calling as a joyful, liberatory, and anti-oppressive faith.
Currently, 136 UU congregations are beta testing our prototype hymnal. The UUA Virtual Hymnal Task Force will accept feedback from congregational liaisons through November 29, 2024.
In mid-October, our Task Force will open applications for members on the Song Selection team. These team members will be asked to serve for 6 months (January-June 2025). That post will appear on this page.
In early 2025, our team will announce two more exciting developments: a Song Selection team will be preparing to receive music submissions, and a separate team will request proposals for artwork and logos for the hymnal.
If you'd like to receive future updates about the virtual hymnal, please visit this page to subscribe to WorshipWeb's newsletter.
Spring 2024: A Virtual Hymnal Sneak Peek
In May and June, Rev. Erika Hewitt and Camille Hatton held several enthusiastic public gatherings in which we revealed our virtual hymnal prototype; explained its licensing system; presented our tentative plans for beta testing our model; and presented financial details that are emerging.
January 2024: Our Q & A Summary
Our Task Force held helpful and exciting Zoom Q & A sessions in January 2024. That informative video—with a compilation of all questions asked—is now available (Vimeo).
Imagine web access to hundreds of UU hymns that you can search for and confidently use in a range of events—from worship to social justice vigils! In close consultation with the Association for Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries (AUUMM), the UUA has begun exploring what the next hymnal might include—and its Virtual Hymnal Task Force has been at work since March 2023.
The Virtual Hymnal Task Force is comprised of at least six members:
Camille Hatton, Consulting Project Manager
Mary Benard, UUA Publications Director
Rev. Erika Hewitt, UUA Minister of Worship Arts
Beverly Horton, musician and Lay Chaplain, First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, Ontario
Carey McDonald, UUA Executive Vice President
Susanne Maziarz, Music Director, Neighbourhood UU Congregation of Toronto, Ontario.
The Task Force is currently designing the robust technology platform required for this unprecedented hymn collection, and researching the licensing agreements that will also be required.
The Task Force is not engaged in selecting or soliciting hymns at this time; it will be early 2025 before we're able to shift our focus to developing guidelines and priorities for choosing songs for the Virtual Hymnal.
To receive periodic updates about our Task Force's work—including Zoom gatherings to talk about it—please subscribe to the WorshipWeb newsletter, "From the Muse to the Pews."
