Faith in focus

Hymn man? It's him, all right

Hal H. Hopson, a contemporary composer and arranger of church music, will lead a two-day festival of hymns during the annual Spiritual Enrichment Weekend at Westminster Presbyterian next weekend, Oct. 18-19.

"You would have to be living under a rock not to recognize him," said Monica Rossman, Westminster minister of music. "He has composed and arranged more things for church music than anyone alive today, very prolific. He is much attuned to what the average choir director and volunteer choir can do, very practical and reasonable. He understands the limitations we face with all-volunteer groups."

His paraphrase of I Corinthians 13 "Though I May Speak," which is sung to hymn tune "O Waly Waly," an English folk melody, is popular in many congregations, including Westminster, said Rossman.

"I have used this for solos at weddings, and our congregation loves to sing it," she said.

Hopson has also done a lot with Psalms and will offer an extra session on Sunday night on Psalmody for any interested persons.

An open rehearsal will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. so folks can watch Hopson work with musicians, including choir, handbells, brass, organ and timpani.

"This behind-the-scenes glimpse of a great church musician at work is sure to be an eye-opening experience, particularly for musicians," Rossman said. The public is free to come and go during this rehearsal time.

Hopson's "Festival of Hymns: The Writers Tell Their Stories" will be presented at 4 p.m. Sunday. During this presentation, volunteers from the church will play the roles of Martin Luther and John Calvin, reading the script for the history of a particular hymn. Both the choir and the congregation will be singing in this interactive event, Rossman said.

A reception will follow. Afterward, Hopson will gather with those interested in his lecture on Psalmody.

In his mid-'70s, Hopson continues to be a full-time composer and church musician, living in Dallas, Texas. He has more than 1,200 published works to his credit, comprising almost every musical form in church music.

"He has special interest in congregational song," Rossman said. "Our Presbyterian Hymnal [1990] includes five Hopson hymns and psalms, including the delightful setting of Psalm 84, 'How Lovely, Lord.'"

The public is invited to all events on both days. The church is located at 3639 Old Chapel Hill Road.

Arranging flowers and arranging your life

Durham Christian Women's Connection will meet on Saturday, Oct. 18, for a program and luncheon at Croasdaile Village in the commons dining room, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway.

Cheryl Clements, owner of Ferrell's Florist, will give tips on fall flower arranging. Special speaker Cindy Woods of Erwin will talk about arranging one's life through times of trial. She is also a soloist and will sing during her talk.

The program will begin at 10 a.m. and reservations are necessary by calling (919) 489-6924 on or before Wednesday. The cost is $10 and includes the program and the luncheon.

Prayer vigil scheduled for slain amputee

A prayer vigil to honor the life of William Earnest "Hood Hop" Davis will be held today (Saturday) at 5 p.m. at the corner of Scout Drive and West Piedmont Avenue.

Davis, 39, was fatally stabbed during an argument April 12 and was found lying partly in the roadway. Well known and liked in the Durham community, Davis had only one leg and panhandled at the corner of Roxboro Road, just off the Durham Freeway. The Rev. Marilyn Hedgpeth, associate pastor of First Presbyterian, was one of his friends. She and the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, pastor of Covenant Presbyterian, will lead the vigil.