This month’s episode is excerpted from a live Seekers and Scholars event held on October 29, 2024. Panelists explore how hymns are birthed into being and talk about the impact of hymns in individual lives and congregational singing. At the core of the discussion is an examination of what makes Christian Science hymns distinctive and how they connect to a broader history of Christian spiritual song. Examples of the dynamic, complex stories that lead to the creation of a hymnal enrich the episode. Providing perspective from the Presbyterian Church USA is Dr. Mel Bringle, a celebrated hymnist and chair of the committee that produced Glory to God, her denomination’s 2016 hymn book.
The basis for much of this episode’s content is The Mary Baker Eddy Library’s 13-part web series “The Christian Science Hymnal: History, Heritage, Healing.” It showcases the work of Dr. Robert Rockabrand and his wife, Sara Rockabrand, who spent years of consecrated effort researching the profound, multifaceted story of spiritual song in the Christian Science tradition.
Access more on this topic:
Sara Rockabrand earned degrees in music performance and music education from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. She was a voice teacher and vocal coach at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, from 1969 to 1974, and at Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, from 1975 to 2010. She has been a regular soloist in Christian Science churches in Indiana, Illinois, and California. For over 40 years she joined her husband, Robert Rockabrand, in presenting hymnal workshops throughout the US and abroad, in addition to collaborating with him in writing and editing the manuscript on which the Library’s web series is based. She is currently a voice instructor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.
Dr. Mary Louise (Mel) Bringle is Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Brevard College. She is also a professional hymn writer whose texts and translations are included in the collections of numerous denominations in North America and Scotland. She chaired the national committee responsible for creating the most recent hymnal for the Presbyterian Church USA and has been named a fellow of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada—the highest honor conferred by that organization.
Dr. Michael Hamilton is The Mary Baker Eddy Library’s executive manager. He came to the position following 10 years in the Religion and Philosophy Department at Principia College. Prior to teaching, he served for 20 years as an active-duty US Navy chaplain, ministering to units in both the navy and marine corps. He holds a PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research and writing focus is on American religions.
Christa Seid-Graham is Programs and Communications Specialist for The Mary Baker Eddy Library. In this role she produces the Seekers and Scholars podcast and has closely supported the development and publishing of “The Christian Science Hymnal: History, Heritage, Healing” for the Library. A pianist and vocalist who serves as a church musician throughout metropolitan Boston, she has performed with the Library on two live webinars. Her voice can be heard on the Christian Science Publishing Society’s 2016 album Celebration.
Guest headshots used by permission.
