Kirk turns back on 'Jerusalem'

Sing it softly, but the Church of Scotland plans to turn its back on Jerusalem. And God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen may also to be put to rest - for good.

They are among more than 200 hymns deemed to be past their sell-by date, and recommended for exclusion from the church's new hymn-book.

The list, published yesterday, forms part of a report to be discussed at the kirk's ruling general assembly in Edinburgh later this month.

It is the first report of a committee charged with the lengthy task of drawing up a new hymn-book to replace the current version published in 1973, and which will appear some time after 2000.

Some were dropped on grounds of obsolescence - Jerusalem lost here; others on grounds of "exclusivity or obscure language"; and yet others on grounds of "obtuse or outdated theology".