Annual Conference Notes
Why Do We Sing"And Are We Yet Alive" At The Opening Of
Annual Conference?
by Dean B. McIntyre
Director of Music Resources, The General Board of Discipleship
It happens at this time of the year all over the world at Methodist
and United Methodist sessions of annual conference and other gatherings.
We gather together - clergy and laity, members, guests, and friends
-- we stand and sing lustily and with good courage the great Charles
Wesley hymn, "And Are We Yet Alive." It is a moment of
celebration of our common heritage and common mission, and the ties
that bind us in the faith and the connection, and it is a moment
of thanks to God for the experiences we have had since our last gathering.
Where did the custom arise of singing this hymn at the opening of
our conferences? "And Are We Yet Alive" first appeared
in the Wesleys' 1749 hymnal, HYMNS AND SACRED POEMS. In 1780 John
included it in his A COLLECTION OF HYMNS FOR THE USE OF THE PEOPLE
CALLED METHODIST as the first hymn in the section titled "For
the Society...at meeting." It was John himself who began the
custom of opening the annual meeting of Methodists by singing this
hymn. The practice was picked up by Methodists around the world and
it largely continues today. There is no requirement that this be
the opening hymn at annual conference, but it is, indeed, a cherished
custom.
___________________________
Copyright © 2005 The United Methodist General Board of Discipleship, PO
Box 340003, Nashville TN 37203-0003; website www.umcworship.org.
This article may be quoted, used, and reprinted in church publications,
newsletters, worship bulletins, and on UNITED METHODIST web sites
with the inclusion of the complete title/author and copyright clauses
with web site link to www.umcworship.org and the added words, "Used
by permission." It may not be used for profit.
Dean B. McIntyre
Director of Music Resources,
The United Methodist General Board of Discipleship
PO Box 340003; Nashville TN 37203-0003
Toll free telephone 877-899-2780, ext 7073
Email: music@gbod.org <mailto:music@gbod.org>
Website: http://www.umcworship.org
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