During the civil rights movement blacks, whites, from every economic background marched together in unity singing the same gospel hymns like We Shall Overcome, and Precious Lord, Take My Hand. We continue to sing many of the same songs, but we often do it separately–during what remains the most segregated hour of the week. In observation of the ongoing need for reconciliation and reformation within the body of Christ, and in celebration of the richness of these hymns that we share, St. Paul Lutheran is partnering with the New Parish Institute of Tampa and hosting a Hymn Sing and Panel discussion on the history of church hymns on Sunday, March 26 at 4 pm in collaboration with the Hymn Lovers Conference at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tampa.

Led by Carlton Burgess, Owner/Artistic Director Burgess School of the Art Founder/CEO Hymn Lovers Conference. A Tampa native, Carlton has ministered musically in Europe, and both West and South Africa. He conducted the Million Man March Choir at the US Capitol and the nationally televised Superbowl Choir XLIII in Tampa. His television credits also include BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel.

 

 

Additional panel members include:

 Bishop Kelvin McCree, author, entrepreneur, conference speaker and mentor who is a founding Partner of the Les Brown Maximum Achievement Team and lead pastor of Diverse City Church who recently merged to create Overflow Church in Lakeland Florida. He is also the Co-Founder of City Bible College and resides on the Executive Council of the Fountain of Life International Fellowship, Inc, Pittsburgh Pa, as the Assistant Presiding Bishop.

 

 

Dr. Ouida W. Harding received the Doctorate in Worship Studies (June 2012), from the R. E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies.  Dr. Harding serves as Academic Dean of the Hymn Lovers Conference. Because of Dr. Harding’s radical perspective on the position “Minister of Music” in the Black Baptist Church; the Greater Harvest Baptist Church and Ministers Conference of Baltimore helped to further this paradigm shift in music ministry and ordained her as the first Minister of Music for Worship September 2012. Dr. Harding is the Visionary and Founder of The W.E.F.E.E.D.M., Initiative; an instructional consortium for those who dare to rethink possible beginning with setting standards in music ministry leadership for the 21st Century, and beyond. Dr. Harding is also one of the newly appointed Directors of Educational Ministries for the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses.

 

This event will include a Hymn Sing led by local church choir members and a panel discussion on the history of church hymns and their impact on racial healing.  Light refreshments after the concert.

In the spirit of thanksgiving, the public is invited to the free concert. A free will love offering will be received, which will go directly to the professional church musicians and panelists that lead the presentation.

The mission statement of the Hymn Lovers Conference:

Our mission is centered around Ephesians 5:19 that says speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord. It is our mission to herald world-wide that the traditional hymn remains relevant and is a needed tool for spiritual maturation. It is our endeavor to constantly provide academic and practical support to the music ministry of churches worldwide with the desire to promote excellence. We also endeavor to be a vehicle where new hymns and/ or hymn arrangements are introduced ultimately to be used by the local congregation.

 

New Parish Institute Mission Statement:

New Parish Institute of Tampa is a socially conscious learning community exploring real life questions that generate loving, participatory actions that encompass Jesus universal teachings on compassion and justice. All faiths are welcome.

 

If you would like more information about this event, please contact St Paul Lutheran Church at (813) 239-3113 or email rsvp@StPaulTampa.org.