J. Chester Johnson
Auden, the Psalms, and Me
Saturday, January 27, 2018
The Elaine, Arkansas, Massacre:
The Racial Conflagration that Changed America
Sunday, January 28, 2018
J. Chester Johnson is a critically-acclaimed poet, essayist and translator for over four decades. Active in the civil rights movement, he served in President Jimmy Carter’s Treasury Department, had a distinguished career in public finance, and played a major role in the retranslation of the Psalms contained in the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer.
In his latest book, Auden, the Psalms, and Me, Johnson takes readers behind the scenes of the major issues weighed during a massive literary and liturgical undertaking of twelve years: the retranslation of a work that originated in 16th century England and still influences millions of faithful followers today. He will also recall touching insights into the life and mind of W.H. Auden, (1907-1973) noted English/American poet, who along with Johnson, led this historic endeavor.
From 1971-1979, Johnson served as the poet on the drafting committee for the retranslation, replacing the iconic poet, Auden, who decided to return to his homeland of England. Auden corresponded with Johnson on the project, and several parts of Auden, the Psalms, and Me deal with Auden’s letters to Johnson, including the one that represented Auden’s departure from the committee. Since the publication of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, its retranslated version of the Psalms has become a standard, used not only by Episcopalians, but also adopted by others for their worship service books and liturgies.
For Johnson’s service to the Episcopal Church, he received a special citation from the Church’s Standing Liturgical Commission. He also authored the Litany of Offense and Apology in poetry and prose for National Day of Repentance (October 4, 2008) when, with the Presiding Bishop officiating, the Episcopal Church formally apologized for its role in transatlantic slavery and related evils.