The Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song will be reviewing materials submitted for possible inclusion in the next collection of congregational songs for use by the PC(USA). We are seeking materials that will enrich the worship life of the church in many genres, from traditional, strophic hymns to contemporary songs and choruses. Please see the Theological Vision Statement for areas of particular interest to the committee. We are also interested in new metric versions of the Psalms to help show the placement of these historic texts within the broad sweep of God’s gracious acts toward creation and humanity. In order to be considered for inclusion, all materials must be received by June 1, 2010. Below are the guidelines that must be followed.

GUIDELINES FOR ORIGINAL TEXTS

1. The text should be written in an accessible poetic style that lends itself to singing by congregations. The metrical indication and tune suggestions should appear immediately under the title of the text. (To avoid confusion, the title is customarily identical to the first line.)
2. Preference will be given to language that is contemporary (i.e. avoiding archaisms) and inclusive.
3. Where particular passages of Scripture are being referenced, those passages should be indicated on the text.
4. Entries must be legibly typed or printed. Illegible entries will not be considered.
5. To preserve anonymity, no author’s (or composer’s) name should appear on the copies submitted for consideration, but must appear on an accompanying page or pages.
6. The Committee reserves the right to select a text without accepting the tune submitted with it.

GUIDELINES FOR ORIGINAL TUNES

1. Tunes must be within the singing capabilities of an average congregation.
2. Tunes must be suitable for singing by congregations in unison with accompaniment (whether organ/keyboard or other instrumentation), or for singing in parts with or without accompaniment. At least one stanza of the suggested text is to be printed under the staff of the melody (or between the staves of a tune in parts).
3. Engraved manuscripts are not required, but hand-notated manuscripts must be clean and legible. Illegible entries will not be considered.
4. To preserve anonymity, no composer’s (or author’s) name should appear on the copies submitted for consideration, but must appear on an accompanying page or pages.
5. The Committee reserves the right to select a tune without accepting the text submitted with it.

GUIDELINES FOR PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED MATERIAL

1. If you are submitting a piece previously published in another resource, include a copy of the title page and copyright information of the source along with the piece.
2. Only clean, legible copies will be considered.

All submissions must include a completed Open Submission Form, which must be attached to the piece you are submitting.

Submissions may be sent electronically as PDF files to David Eicher, Hymnal Editor, hymnaleditor@presbypub.com or by regular mail to:

David Eicher, Hymnal Editor
Presbyterian Publishing Corporation
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, KY 40202-1396

If you have questions, you may contact David Eicher by phone at 502-569-5915 or by email at deicher@presbypub.com.