Invitation
For those who work for the church week in and week out, time away to rest, reflect, and re-inspire is important. Writing the Church’s Song is a three-day writing retreat for beginner and intermediate hymn writers. Two exceptional clinicians will challenge, inspire, and guide you as a hymn writer. These mentors will provide sessions on how to start writing hymns and how to hone your skills throughout the three days. Group sessions to build writing/composing skills will be offered, as well as one-on-one time with the mentors to discuss your works in detail and receive personal feedback.
Rest, Reflect, and Re-Inspire
Date & Location
October 21-24, 2026
Richmond, Virginia
Our hosts will be Richmond Hill, an ecumenical Christian fellowship and residential community who serve as stewards of an urban retreat center within the setting of a historic monastery.
Lodging & Food: Richmond Hill is a residential facility with simple but comfortable rooms available. The full registration includes a room within the Richmond Hill facilities, all your meals while on campus, and times of prayer with the community. For more information about what it’s like to attend a retreat at Richmond Hill, you can click here.
Registration
$500 Full Registration Fee (includes 3 nights lodging & all meals)
$325 No-Lodging Registration Fee (includes lunch & dinner for each day)
*two needs-based full scholarships are available. Contact ccs@thehymnsociety.org to inquire.
Registration Now Open!
Faculty
Text Writing – Adam M. L. Tice, FHS
Adam M. L. Tice is a widely-published hymn writer. He served as text editor for the 2020 USA/Canada Mennonite hymnal, Voices Together, and works for GIA Publications as Editor for Congregational Song. He curates GIA’s “Unbound” service, offering an ever-growing selection of new hymns and songs for individual download. In 2024, Adam was named a Fellow of The Hymn Society in the US and Canada, and also received Goshen College’s Culture for Service award. In his free time Adam enjoys rock climbing: a pursuit severely limited by living in the midwest state of Indiana – so he mostly climbs on plastic rocks indoors.
Tune Writing – Sally Ann Morris, FHS
Sally Ann Morris is a composer of over 200 published hymn and congregational song tunes. Some of these are found in denominational hymnals in the United States, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and Japan, including the Church of Scotland Church Hymnary and supplement God Welcomes All. Sally’s musical styles range from classically traditional influences to lyric melodies, jazz, folk, pop, and short form chant. In 2021, Sally was named a Fellow of The Hymn Society in the US and Canada in recognition of her contributions to new congregational song as a composer and as a worship leader, song enlivener, and mentor to emerging writers.
Hospitality & Logistics – Hymn Society Staff
A Hymn Society staff person will be present to help ensure things go smoothly and to take care of any on-site logistics or needs we may have.
Sample Schedule
Wednesday
4:00PM – Arrival & Room Check-In
6:00PM – Evening Prayer (with the Richmond Hill Community)
6:30PM – Dinner
8:00PM – Opening Gathering
Thursday & Friday
7:00AM – Morning Prayer (with the Richmond Hill Community)
7:30AM – Breakfast
9:00AM – Plenary Session 1
10:00AM – One-On-One Sessions & Small-Group Workshops
12:00PM – Noon Prayer (with the Richmond Hill Community)
12:30PM – Lunch
1:30PM – Plenary Session 2
2:30PM – One-On-One Sessions & Small-Group Workshops
4:00PM – Free Time
5:00PM – Participant Sharing & Feedback Session
6:00PM – Evening Prayer (with the Richmond Hill Community)
6:30PM – Dinner
Saturday
7:00AM – Morning Prayer (with the Richmond Hill Community)
7:30AM – Breakfast
9:00AM – Final Gathering & Anointing Service (Our group only)
11:00AM – Check-Out & Departure
