Edith Sinclair Downing

Edith Sinclair Downing began her ministry of writing hymns in her late sixties. This ministry in song is inspired by Scripture as well as by today's life stories. Some of the concerns she addresses are pain and suffering, care of the earth, affirmation of women, and peace and justice for all God's people. Edith's first hymn collection, A Season on Clear Shining, was published by Selah in l998. Her second collection, For Us, God's People Now, is to be published by Selah soon. Her texts appear in these denominational hymnals: The New Century Hymnal (The Pilgrim Press), The Book of Praise (The Presbyterian Church of Canada), Sing! A New Creation (CRC publications), and the Church of Scotland's The Church Hymnary: Fourth Edition (Canterbury Press). Her texts are included in these collections: Radiant City (Thomas Pavlechko), Sing to The Lord No Threadbare Song (Alfred V. Fedak), New Songs of Rejoicing and The Selah Psalter (Selah Publishing Co.), Bring The Feast: Songs from the Re-imagining Community (The Pilgrim Press), Voices Found: Women in the Church's Song (Church Publishing, Inc.).

Edith received a scholarship in cello from The University of Wichita, and she also attended Baker University. She continued her studies at Chicago Theological Seminary and earned an M.A. degree in religious education from The University of Chicago in l946. In l980, she received a master of theological studies with a major in worship from Trinity Lutheran Seminary.

Edith has experience in campus and congregational ministries and in pastoral care She directed youth choirs for many years. Now in her mid-eighties, Edith continues to write hymns and play the organ in her church. She is a long-time member of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada.

Edith was born in Aromas, California, on May 7, l922. She lives in a retirement community in Lacey, Washhington. Her husband, Thomas A. Downing, died several years ago. She has four children and three grandchildren.