Laurence Hull Stookey

Laurence Hull Stookey was an American United Methodist pastor, professor, liturgical theologian, author, and musician born in New Athens, Illinois, on April 8, 1937. He studied at Swarthmore College, Wesley Theological Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary, where he earned a doctorate in theology. From 1973 to 2007 he taught preaching and worship at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., while also remaining active in local church ministry.

Stookey became an important voice in late twentieth-century United Methodist worship renewal. His books include Baptism: Christ's Act in the Church, Eucharist: Christ's Feast with the Church, Calendar: Christ's Time for the Church, and Let the Whole Church Say Amen! He helped shape United Methodist baptismal practice and participated in wider ecumenical liturgical work following the reforms associated with the Second Vatican Council. He also helped prepare resources that influenced The United Methodist Book of Worship.

His connection with In Christ There Is No East or West is specific and modern. While serving on the language and theology subcommittee for the 1989 United Methodist Hymnal, he was asked to revise Oxenham's gender-exclusive third stanza. After finding direct revision unsatisfactory, he wrote a replacement stanza based on Galatians 3:28. That stanza is copyrighted and must be distinguished from Oxenham's public-domain original.