Church Publishing Incorporated (CPI) has launched a new digital collection of alternative hymn texts, offering Episcopal congregations options for singing familiar hymns using updated language.

This collection was developed by the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music in response to General Convention Resolution 2024-A130. This first update features alternative texts for eleven hymns that address issues of colonialist, racist, white supremacist, imperialistic, and nationalistic language. The collection represents an initial step toward ensuring that the language of worship is welcoming to all.

Airié Stuart, senior vice president and publisher of Church Publishing Incorporated (CPI), said, “CPI is so pleased to support the work of the Standing Commission of Liturgy and Music (SCLM) in making these important alternative hymn texts available to RiteSong and RitePlanning subscribers.”

Each text has been carefully selected to preserve the musical structure and theological intent of the original hymns, while offering updated language suited for contemporary worship. The Rev. Cynthia L. Black, D.D., chair of the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, said, “The Subcommittee on Liturgical Music of the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music has done a great service for the church, exhaustively researching hymns in The Hymnal 1982 and then field testing and providing alternate texts.” By integrating these texts into RitePlanning and RiteSong, clergy, musicians, and worship planners can incorporate them more easily into worship services.

RitePlanning and RiteSong are widely used across The Episcopal Church as tools for worship planning and music selection.

For more information, please contact Anne Zaccardelli at azaccardelli@cpg.org. 

Church Publishing Incorporated

Church Publishing Incorporated is a multi-market publisher serving general readers as well as providing academic and liturgical resources for The Episcopal Church. With a history dating back to 1918, CPI is home to four imprints: Church Publishing, Morehouse Publishing, Divinity & Discourse, and Seabury Books. In addition to its robust catalog of titles, CPI offers essential church supplies, including parish registers, certificates, planning calendars, and lectionary inserts, along with digital platforms.