NOTES
In Memoriam: Howard Hageman
Reformed Worship consultant Howard Hageman died December 20, 1992. We mentioned in the December issue (RW 26, p. 3) that he had undergone brain surgery more than a year ago and was not doing well. In that same issue, his meditations on the Seven Last Words, "We Call This Friday Good" (RW 26, p. 4), formed a major part of the Good Friday service that many of you will be using this year. He wrote those meditations for—and dedicated them to—the parish and congregation of the North Church in Newark, New Jersey, where he served as pastor from 1945-1973.
While still a pastor at North Church, he began teaching liturgies at New Brunswick Seminary. He became president of that seminary in 1973 and served in that office until he retired in 1985. For over twenty-five years Hageman wrote a weekly column in the Church Herald called "Focus on the World." His Pulpit and Table remains a classic on Reformed liturgy.
Howard Hageman was a great Reformed liturgical scholar at a time when very little attention was paid to the study of worship and liturgy in the Reformed tradition. His teaching and writing contributed to the liturgical renewal movement now also at work in Reformed churches. As worship issues become more urgent in our increasingly diverse congregations, his writing continues to provide us with a legacy of wisdom and understanding of what it means to worship God with integrity in the biblical and Reformed tradition.
We'll all miss the fresh insights of his creative mind.
Friendship Songs
CRC Publications began a ministry to people with mental impairments several years ago with the Friendship Series, a three-year curriculum that includes many delightful songs. After repeated requests, these songs are now available on three cassettes, each containing 20 familiar songs that both Friendship students and children will love to sing along with.
Roy Hopp, who directed the project, also contributed many of the delightful arrangements. They feature clear solo voices and varied accompaniments, including Orff instruments, guitar, flute, and synthesizer. Songs include "Father, We Adore You," "The Joy of the Lord," "God Is So Good," "I Have the Joy" and many more. Each tape is available for $9.95 US or $11.45 CDN. To order, call 1-800-333-8300 US or 1-800-263-4252 CDA.
Where's the Handbook?
When the Psalter Hymnal was released in 1988, CRC Publications promised a handbook that would contain background information and stories on all 641 songs, along with biographical sketches on each of the more than 800 authors and composers. Unfortunately, we have discovered that the handbook project is almost as complex as the hymnal project was!
The bad news is that although most of the writing on the book is completed, a great deal of editing time is still needed. And for the past year, the handbook sat on the shelf while our Music and Liturgy office concentrated mainly on a new children's hymnal and worship education program due out in late 1994 (more on that soon).
The good news is that recently CRC Publications decided to put the handbook back on the front burner. We hope to have it out in 1994-1995.
CONFERENCES
Valparaiso, IN, April 20-22,1993
Institute of Liturgical Studies and Church Music Seminar. Contact: Dr. David Truemper, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN 46383.
Grand Rapids, MI, April 22-23,1993
Worship Conference sponsored by Madison Square Christian Reformed Church. Contact the church at 1434 Madison SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507, (616) 245-7791.
Grantham, PA, June 17-21,1993
Conference of Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA), at Messiah College. Contact: CIVA, PQ Box 10247 Arlington, VA 22210.
Santa Clara, CA, June 23-26, 1993 Fort Worth, TX, June 30-July 3, 1993 Annville, PA, August 4-7,1993
Choristers Guild Directors' Workshop, held at Santa Clara University, Texas Christian University, and Lebanon Valley College, respectively. Contact: Barbara Berry, Seminar Coordinator, Choristers Guild, 2834 W. Kingsley Road, Garland, TX 75041, (214) 271-1521.
Toronto, ON, July 4-8, 1993
The Annual Conference of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, in conjunction with the Canadian Liturgical Society. Contact: The Hymn Society, PQ Box 30854, Fort Worth, TX 76129; (800) 843-4966.
Minneapolis, MN, July 11-15, 1993
National Convention of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, at Augsburg College. Contact: Carolyn Bliss, 4321 Colfax, Minneapolis, MN 55406, (612) 825-3680.
Grand Rapids, MI, July 25-30, 1993
Choristers Guild Summer Seminar, at Calvin College. For children's choir members as well as their directors. Contact: Barbara Berry Seminar Coordinator, Choristers Guild, 2834 W Kingsley Road, Garland, TX 75041, (214) 271-1521.
Grand Rapids, MI, July 19-23, 1993
The Biennial Convocation of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Worship, Music, and Other Arts. At Calvin College. Contact: The Fellowship, PQ Box 24787, Nashville, TN 37202.
Orange City and Sioux Center, IA, January 28-29, 1994
Worship Conference at both Dordt College and Northwestern College, with a focus on Lent and Easter worship. Cosponsored by the Christian Reformed Church and the Reformed Church in America. Contact: Dr. Karen De Mol, Dordt College, Sioux Center, IA 51250, (712) 722-3771.