A Church of England reverend has stated that hymnbooks no longer serve as indicators of churchmanship, highlighting the diverse ways modern congregations engage in worship. In a letter to the editor, Rev Ian Randall from Fakenham, Norfolk, noted that there is no official hymnbook in the Church of England, and no authority can "bin" traditional hymns like "Onward Christian Soldiers."
Evolution of Worship Practices
Rev Randall explained that many churches now use multiple hymnbooks or print service sheets drawing from various sources. Some even project "worship songs" onto screens, moving away from the traditional reliance on printed hymnals. He reminisced about the past when specific hymnbooks, such as The English Hymnal for high church and Hymns Ancient and Modern for low church, clearly denoted churchmanship, but emphasized those days are gone.
Other Letters from Readers
In other correspondence, Sue Coe from Ripponden, West Yorkshire, expressed relief after reading a corrections column about the Countdown quiz. As a former maths teacher aged 79.5, she had feared losing her skills but was reassured it wasn't her fault.
Pete Bibby from Sheffield responded to a feature on books to read before turning 25, suggesting a list for older readers, such as "76 books to read before you're 76," and noted he could manage them by 10 November.
Political and Social Commentary
William Wallace, a Liberal Democrat in the House of Lords, commented on the government's strategy to rebuild relations with European neighbours post-Brexit, calling it a coherent approach. Meanwhile, Geoff Reid from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, countered an opinion piece on money buying happiness, arguing that for millions, happiness comes from practical benefits like a bus pass.
The Guardian encourages readers to submit their opinions for potential publication in the letters section, covering topics from Anglicanism and Christianity to mathematics and the European Union.
