Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, November 28

The 141st session of the Union Musical Sacred Harp Singing Convention was held at Hardeman Primitive Baptist Church, Decatur, Georgia, on the fifth Sunday and Saturday before in November. The class was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Matt Hinton leading 32t. The opening prayer was offered by Ed Thacker.

Jesse Roberts conducted the introductory lesson leading songs on pages 30b, 31t, 399b, 329, 170, and 171.

Leaders: Jane Spencer 306; Helen Bryson 81b; Scott DePoy 277; Tony Hammock 321; Jeannette DePoy 82t (for Dollie Hudgins); John Plunkett 123t; Mike Spencer 308; Andy Morse 51; Leslie Hunter 159; George Burnette 129; Jeanne Marsh 145t; Mollie Ellis 77t; Susan Firestone 551; Sandra Wilkinson 100.

RECESS

The class was called back to order by Matt Hinton leading 229. Leaders: Charles Woods 501; Faye Hollis 340.

A business session was held with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Jane Spencer; Vice Chairman—Richard DeLong; Secretary—Helen Bryson; Arranging Committee—Matt Hinton; Memorial Committee—Bridgett Hill and Henry Johnson; Finance Committee—Mike Spencer; Resolutions Committee—John Hollingsworth and Ted Mercer.

Leaders: Jane Spencer 53; Martha Ann Stegar 40; Ellen Lee 114; Harry Eskew 128; Kristin Bernhard 31b; Chris Wilhelm 505; Joseph Reed 63; Holly Mixon 388; Jean Durden 107; Ellie Soler 143; John Hollingsworth 182; Judy Chambless 386; Buck Lee 474.

LUNCH

Richard DeLong brought the afternoon session to order by leading 370. Leaders: B.M. Smith 350; Linda Booth 452; Reba Windom 198; Ricky Harcrow 38b; Charlene Wallace 347; Ted Mercer 300; Bridgett Hill 391; Daphene Causey 336; Steve Helwig 96; Rachel Rudi 214; Ed Thacker 91; Sarah Jenkins 203; Oscar McGuire 573; Judy Caudle 464; Loyd Ivey 460; Susan Harcrow 426b; Henry Johnson 398; Judy Mincey 475; Bill Hollingsworth 236.

RECESS

The class was called to order by Steve Helwig leading 29t. Leaders: Erica Hinton 318; Robert Chambless 503; Sharon DuPriest 217; Laura Akerman 192; Jenna Strizak 335; Sally McKuen 66; Willis McCumber 287; Ellen Lee and Buck Lee 496; Ricky Harcrow, Susan Harcrow, Sarah Jenkins, and Loyd Ivey 186; Rachel Rudi and Chris Wilhelm 290.

Announcements were made. Jane Spencer, Richard DeLong, and Helen Bryson led 267 as the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer offered by Matt Hinton.

Sunday, November 29

The Sunday session of the Union Musical Sacred Harp Singing Convention was called to order by Jane Spencer leading 33b. The morning prayer was offered by Tony Hammock.

Leaders: Richard DeLong 81t; Helen Bryson 213t, 72t; Matt Hinton 73t, 82t; Mike Spencer 205, 278t; John Plunkett 182 (in honor of Lauren Bock and Jesse Pearlman Karlsberg), 516; Jeannette DePoy 112 (for Violet Thomason), 55; Malinda Snow 279, 407; Phillip Langley 283, 318; Tony Hammock 60, 434; Sandra Wilkinson 475, 473; Jeanne Marsh 312b, 32t; Scott DePoy 47b.

RECESS

Jane Spencer led 64 to call the class back together. Leaders: Lela Crowder 48t, 157; Kristin Bernhard 503, 159; Randa Harris and Karen Rollins 127, 268; Russ Hanson 222, 147t; Mollie Ellis 67, 274t; Judy Mincey 464, 492.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Bridgett Hill and Henry Johnson. Bridgett Hill spoke on behalf of the sick and shut-ins and led 134 in honor of the following: Nancy Watson, Evelyn Harris, Violet Thomason, Don Bowen, Raymond Hamrick, Jeff Sheppard, Shelbie Sheppard, Bud Oliver, Sammie Oliver, Lonnie Rogers, Dottie Tobias, and Gertie DeLong.

Henry Johnson spoke of the devotion and reverence Sacred Harp singers share with one another. The following deceased were remembered: Frank Block, Nora Roberts, and Margaret DeBolt—Georgia; John Etheridge—Florida; Elder Gerald Hand—New Mexico; Corene White and Charlotte McCarn—Alabama. John Plunkett led 330b, and offered prayer to close the memorial lesson.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was brought to order by Richard DeLong leading 214. Leaders: Oscar McGuire 276, 344; Judy Caudle 542, 345b; Ted Mercer 468, 123b; Rodney Ivey 348b (for Lonnie Rogers), 511; Bridgett Hill 110, 302; Steve Helwig 352, 550; Jesse Roberts 532, 498; Ian Ludders 296, 210; Henry Johnson 418, 521; Robert Kelly 414, 572; Ed Thacker 220, 273; Anna Hinton 277; John Hollingsworth 223; Shannon Primm 367, 562; Bill Hollingsworth 365, 354t.

RECESS

Jane Spencer brought the class together by leading 312t. Leaders: Linda Booth 196, 358; Andy Morse 472, 538; Willis McCumber 272, 512; Erica Hinton 306, 108t; Erica Hinton and friends 332; George Burnette 417, 101t; Jan Smith 178.

The convention entered into a business session for the purpose of hearing committee reports. The Resolutions Committee reported the following: We are blessed to meet in the 141st session of the Union Musical Sacred Harp Singing Convention by the providence of the Almighty. We resolve to thank those who have labored to make the gathering a success. We thank Camp Creek Primitive Baptist Church, Hardeman Primitive Baptist Church, and the Wilkinson family for hosting this event with grace and hospitality. We offer thanks to those who have prepared the bountiful feasts; to the officers and committees; to the singers and visitors from far and near; to a loving God for providing these rich blessings. Be it resolved further that we will gather next year at Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church, Dunwoody, Georgia, for the 142nd session of the Union Musical Sacred Harp Singing Convention.

The finance report was given, stating that expenses had been met. The Secretary reported that over the course of two days, 98 leaders conducted 150 songs, and seven states were represented. The reports were approved, and the business session was closed.

Jane Spencer, Richard DeLong, and Helen Bryson led 62 as the closing song. The closing prayer was offered by Jesse Roberts, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Jane Spencer; Vice Chairman—Richard DeLong; Secretary—Helen Bryson