Elise S. Eslinger

Elise S. Eslinger (born 1942) is a United Methodist church musician, worship editor, translator, educator, and spiritual-formation leader. Her work has combined congregational music with liturgical formation and the interpretation of worship across cultures. Hymnary identifies her as a translator and hymn writer, including work connected with Spanish-language congregational song and the benediction text “Shalom to You.”

From 1978 to 1981 Eslinger served the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship as Director of Worship and Culture. In that period she participated in the development and editorial work surrounding resources such as Songs of Zion, Celebremos, and Hymns from the Four Winds, projects that broadened the musical and cultural range of United Methodist congregational song. Her own retrospective account describes this period as one of intensive work on hymnal supplements and worship resources drawing from African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, and other traditions.

Eslinger later served in conference and congregational worship ministries and became Director of the Institute for Applied Theology at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. She also compiled and edited The Upper Room Worshipbook, a substantial collection of music and liturgies intended for congregational worship and spiritual formation. Across these roles, her contribution has been less the promotion of one musical style than the careful gathering, translating, editing, teaching, and contextual use of resources that help communities pray and sing together.