Yesterday I mentioned that today I would begin a series of posts honoring hymn text writers who have made significant contributions to hymnody with inclusive texts.

Today we remember – and pay tribute to Jane McAfee Parker Huber – born in 1926 in China to parents who served as Presbyterian missionaries. She died in 2008 having written more than one hundred hymn texts, mostly set to well known existing hymn tunes. Eleven of her hymn texts were included in the 1990 Presbyterian hymnal. Her texts offer superb examples of inclusive texts that reflect a strong understanding of the Reformed faith tradition.

My first awareness of her texts was during the years I was serving Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston where we frequently utilized several of her texts. My personal favorite is “Called as Partners in Christ’s Service” – usually paired with the hymn tune Beecher which most often is the tune used for “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.” It was my privilege to compose an original tune for this text which was published as an anthem by Choristers Guild (CGA-539) in 1990 with the title “Prayer for Partnership.” That beautiful text reads:

Called as partners in Christ’s service, called to minisries of grace,
we respond with deep commitment, fresh new lines of faith to trace.
May we learn the art of sharing, side by side and friend with friend,
equal partners in our caring to fulfill God’s chosen end.

Christ’s example, Christ’s inspiring, Christ’s clear call to work and worth,
let us follow, never falt’ring reconciling folk on earth.
Men and women, richer, poorer, all God’s people, young and old,
blending human skills together gracious gifts from God unfold.

Thus new patterns for Christ’s mission in a small or global sense,
help us bear each other’s burdens, breaking down each wall or fence.
Words of comfort, words of vision, words of challenge said with care,
bring new pow’r and strength for action, make us colleagues free and fair.

So God grant us for tomorrow ways to order human life
that surround each person’s sorrow with a calm that conquers strife.
Make us partners in our living, our compassion to increase,
messengers of faith, thus giving hope, and confidence, and peace.

More information about Jane Parker Huber may be found by visiting http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/h/u/b/huber_jp.htm

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