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Brian A. Wren

b. 1936 Person Name: Brian Wren Author of "Deep in the Shadows of the Past" in The Faith We Sing Brian Wren (b. Romford, Essex, England, 1936) is a major British figure in the revival of contemporary hymn writing. He studied French literature at New College and theology at Mansfield College in Oxford, England. Ordained in 1965, he was pastor of the Congregational Church (now United Reformed) in Hockley and Hawkwell, Essex, from 1965 to 1970. He worked for the British Council of Churches and several other organizations involved in fighting poverty and promoting peace and justice. This work resulted in his writing of Education for Justice (1977) and Patriotism and Peace (1983). With a ministry throughout the English-speaking world, Wren now resides in the United States where he is active as a freelance lecturer, preacher, and full-time hymn writer. His hymn texts are published in Faith Looking Forward (1983), Praising a Mystery (1986), Bring Many Names (1989), New Beginnings (1993), and Faith Renewed: 33 Hymns Reissued and Revised (1995), as well as in many modern hymnals. He has also produced What Language Shall I Borrow? (1989), a discussion guide to inclusive language in Christian worship. Bert Polman

Ralph Vaughan Williams

1872 - 1958 Arranger of "KINGSFOLD" in The Faith We Sing Through his composing, conducting, collecting, editing, and teaching, Ralph Vaughan Williams (b. Down Ampney, Gloucestershire, England, October 12, 1872; d. Westminster, London, England, August 26, 1958) became the chief figure in the realm of English music and church music in the first half of the twentieth century. His education included instruction at the Royal College of Music in London and Trinity College, Cambridge, as well as additional studies in Berlin and Paris. During World War I he served in the army medical corps in France. Vaughan Williams taught music at the Royal College of Music (1920-1940), conducted the Bach Choir in London (1920-1927), and directed the Leith Hill Music Festival in Dorking (1905-1953). A major influence in his life was the English folk song. A knowledgeable collector of folk songs, he was also a member of the Folksong Society and a supporter of the English Folk Dance Society. Vaughan Williams wrote various articles and books, including National Music (1935), and composed numerous arrangements of folk songs; many of his compositions show the impact of folk rhythms and melodic modes. His original compositions cover nearly all musical genres, from orchestral symphonies and concertos to choral works, from songs to operas, and from chamber music to music for films. Vaughan Williams's church music includes anthems; choral-orchestral works, such as Magnificat (1932), Dona Nobis Pacem (1936), and Hodie (1953); and hymn tune settings for organ. But most important to the history of hymnody, he was music editor of the most influential British hymnal at the beginning of the twentieth century, The English Hymnal (1906), and coeditor (with Martin Shaw) of Songs of Praise (1925, 1931) and the Oxford Book of Carols (1928). Bert Polman

David Evans

1874 - 1948 Person Name: David Evans (1874-1948) Arranger of "DURROW" in New Church Praise David Evans (b. Resolven, Glamorganshire, Wales, 1874; d. Rosllannerchrugog, Denbighshire, Wales, 1948) was an important leader in Welsh church music. Educated at Arnold College, Swansea, and at University College, Cardiff, he received a doctorate in music from Oxford University. His longest professional post was as professor of music at University College in Cardiff (1903-1939), where he organized a large music department. He was also a well-known and respected judge at Welsh hymn-singing festivals and a composer of many orchestral and choral works, anthems, service music, and hymn tunes. Bert Polman

Annabeth McClelland Gay

1925 - 2020 Composer of "SHEPHERDS' PIPES" in The Presbyterian Hymnal Annabeth McClelland Gay was born in 1925 in Ottawa, Illinois, where her father was the pastor of the Presbyterian church. She was educated at Knox College (B.M.E. 1947) and Union Theological Seminary's School of Sacred Music, New York City(M.S.M. 1949). She has been choir director in the various churches her husband has served as pastor. The tune SHEPHERDS' PIPES was written by Annabeth McClelland Gay in 1952 as the setting for "The Lord Is Rich and Merciful" in the Pilgrim Hymnal (1958). Every Christmas, the Gays sent an original Christmas song to their friends. In 1952 it was Annabeth's turn to compose the music for which her husband would supply the words. "This tune 'dropped out of the blue' one evening while I was at the piano. Bill said, 'Sounds like shepherd pipes,' and ran for the Bible dictionary to see if such were used by the shepherds in Palestine, and the hymn tune was born.“ --www.firstpresbyterianfairborn.org/lifeline Annabeth McClelland Gay, 95, Lincoln, died 29 April 2020 at Eastmont Towers. Annabeth was born on 18 April 1925 to the Rev. Charles McClelland and Barbara Nessen McClelland in Ottawa, IL. She was the Valedictorian of her high school class and went to Knox College in Galesburg, IL, graduating in 1947 (Phi Beta Kappa) with a degree in music, specializing in voice and organ. She then attended Union Theological Seminary in New York, graduating in 1949 with a Master's Degree in Sacred Music. It was at Union that she met William Gay, her husband of 60 years. They married in 1949 and spent 40 years serving U.C.C. churches together in rural Ohio. During this time, she was very active in leading church music workshops throughout Ohio and adjoining states. She also gave uncountable organ, piano, and voice lessons to young and old. Annabeth was, above all, a hymnodist. With William, she composed a Christmas song or hymn every year that they sent to family and friends. Several of these were widely published and one, “Carol of Hope,” has been included in a wide variety of hymnals. Annabeth is survived by her son Timothy (Chris) of Lincoln, a brother, the Rev. Robert McClelland of St. Louis, MO, two grandsons, Frederick (Sara) of Ft. Worth, TX, and Bertram (Stacey Rickers) of Culver City, CA, and two great-grandaughters, Harriet and Beatrice, of Ft. Worth. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sister, Charlotte Petersen. Memorial gifts may be made to the U.C.C. Mission Boards through First Plymouth Church or to Eastmont Towers, Lincoln. A memorial service will be held at a future date to be announced. Condolences and personal reflections may be left online at www.roperandsons.com. --www.newsbreak.com/news/1558740983045/annabeth-mcclelland-gay

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