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Friday, April 2, 2010

"God Bless the Work Your People Do"


Press Release - March 2010

Macalester Plymouth United Church of St. Paul, Minnesota, is pleased to announce the winners of the 14th annual hymn contest, a search for new hymn texts to be sung on Labor Day. The contest specifically asked for "words that especially address the plight of the unemployed. Traditionally, we have celebrated work on Labor Day. But what if one does not have work of is under-employed? Denied the opportunity to earn a living, an unemployed worker often questions his or her value and worth. We hope to explore the role of the church in addressing these issues."

The winning hymn, "God Bless the Work Your People Do", was written by the Rev. Dr. John A. Dalles, the pastor of Wekiva Presbyterian Church in Longwood, Florida. He is a graduate of both Lancaster Theological Seminary (UCC) and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (PCUSA). A life member of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, his hymn texts have been published in a number of denominational hymnals.

For the past 14 years, the church has sponsored a hymn-writing contest seeking new texts that "can motivate the church to be more actively involved in social reform."

Church officials say the contest is the longest-running one they know of. It has attracted entries from around the country and much of the rest of the English-speaking world including Canada, England and Australia.

In church hymn circles, the social justice hymn contest has acquired an "American Idol" or Sundance Film Festival or Oprah Book Club sort of clout, capable of elevating a previously unknown artist to national prominence.

"It's one of the most respected competitions because it's an ongoing thing. It has a certain cachet," said Carl P. Daw Jr., executive director of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada. "It has often been a kind of initial recognition of emerging hymn writers."

The St. Paul contest is funded with an endowment by A.A. "Al" Heckman, a church member and philanthropist who died in 1994.

Here is my winning hymn. If you have ever selected Jane Laurie Borthwick's celebrated Labor themed hymn "Come Labor On", it is hard to find another useful hymn for Labor Day.  I encourage you to consider singing it this coming Labor Day Sunday. Please note the copyright information at the bottom and be in touch with me, via email, if you wish to use the hymn:

GOD, BLESS THE WORK YOUR PEOPLE DO
A Labor Day Hymn
Winner 2009 Macalester Plymouth United Church Hymn Writing Contest
Text: John A. Dalles, April 3, 2009

I.
God, bless the work your people do throughout each working day,
The contributions that they make, the talents they display.
God, bless the work your people do, with minds and hands and hearts,
To benefit the common good, the sciences and arts.

II.
For all who have no respite, God, from labor without ease,
For those for whom their work is filled with danger or disease.
For all who labor without gain; or have no rest this day;
For all who labor without hope, O God, we humbly pray;

III.
We pray for those who cannot work, or seek for work in vain,
Great God, we pray your mercy shall encourage them, again!
We pray for those whose work is hard, on body, spirit, soul,
The underpaid, under-employed, who fill a vital role.

IV.
Grant unto each a day designed for worship, joy and rest;
A Sabbath time of holiness, in which they may be blessed.
As you achieved creation’s work, then rested from your task,
God bless the work your people do, and call it good, we ask!

Meter: CMD
Suggested Tunes: FOREST GREEN or ELLACOMBE

Copyright © 2009, John A. Dalles

Permission for use must be obtained in writing from the author.

At the time that the winning hymn was announced, articles sharing that news appeared in several different places, including: 
''Notes About People'' - By Jerry L. Van Marter of the Presbyterian Church (USA); ''Lancaster Online'' - Article by Lori Van Ingen; and ''Hymn Contest Winner'' - By Deborah Lofts, Executive Director of The Hymn Society.

Since its selection, this hymn text has found its way to many places, often sung in congregations on Labor Day weekend.  it also is included the hymn book called ""Sing of the World Made New: Hymns of Justice, Peace, and Christian Responsibility" by editors Jeffrey Rowthorn and Russel Schultz-Widmar. You can see it as hymn number 116.