Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, May 24

The 3rd annual John N. Merritt Memorial Singing Convention was called to order by Henry McGuire, Drew McGuire, and Will McGuire leading 42. John Van Horn offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Henry McGuire 34b; Mark Davis 29t, 472; Carole Watts 40, 46; Michael Carney 384, 476; Nanette Olivier 63 (CB), 393 (CB); Henry Schuman and Linda Hellerich 189 (CH), 142 (CH); Arlon Gardner 448t, 67; Sister Susan Dickey 178, 128; John Van Horn 63 (CH), 64 (CH).

The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Henry McGuire; Vice Chairman—Mark Davis; Secretary/Arranging Officer—Henry Schuman.

RECESS

Hugh McGuire brought the class to order by leading 258 (CH) and 465 (CH). Leaders: Robert DuPree 117 (CH), 86 (CH); Mary Ellen Schrock 180 (CH), 82b (CH); Drew McGuire 121 (CH), 134; Amber Davis 475, 192; Michael Carney 282; Sonya Kirkham 486 (CB), 475 (CB); Erica Martinez 186 (CH), 85 (CH); Robert Vaughn 548 (WB), 543t (WB); Mallory Oliver 200 (CH), 142 (CB).

LUNCH

Henry McGuire brought the class to order by leading 316 (CH). Leaders: Nancy Van Den Akker 133 (CH), 168t (CH); Charity Vaughn 183 (CB), 392 (CB); Larry Ballinger 528, 559 (CB); Henry Schuman 172 (CH); Darlene Reynolds 484 (CB), 410 (CB); Hugh McGuire 336 (WB), 540 (WB); Lisa Geist 273, 269; Warren Steel 176b, 203 (CH); Sarah Tidwell 146, 72b; Wilma Ann Mitchell 480, 49t; Drew McGuire and Henry McGuire 236; Robert Vaughn 490; Lisa Geist and Larry Ballinger 56t; Sister Susan Dickey 59; John Van Horn 563 (CB); Amber Davis 391; Warren Steel 400; Henry McGuire, Hugh McGuire and Sarah Tidwell 465 (CB).

Announcements were made. Henry McGuire, Hugh McGuire, and Mark Davis led the Drone (549b CH) as the closing song. Robert Vaughn dismissed the class with prayer.

Sunday, May 25

The Sunday session of the John Newton Merritt Memorial Singing Convention was called to order by Henry McGuire leading 52b. Arlon Gardner offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Henry McGuire 32t; Drew McGuire 108t, 111b; Darlene Reynolds 569b, 281b (CH); Mark Davis 41t (CH), 102; Nanette Olivier 159 (CB); Arlon Gardner 155 (CH), 455; Natalie Davis 344, 345b; Nancy Van Den Akker 168 (CB), 573 (CB); Carole Watts 571 (CB), 587 (CB); Robert DuPree 40, 565.

RECESS

Hugh McGuire brought the class back together by leading 168b (CH) and 130 (CH). Leaders: Nanette Olivier 268t (CB), 71; Arlon Gardner 278t, 106; Christine Murphy 408; Henry Schuman and Linda Hellerich 131 (CH), 149 (CH); Mary Ellen Schrock 179 (CH), 253 (CH): Charity Vaughn 108t, 186.

Charity Vaughn and Carole Watts conducted the memorial lesson. Carole spoke on behalf of the sick and shut-ins. She read the following list of names, and led 340 on their behalf: Roy (R. M.) Davis, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Stites Gardner, Jr.

Charity spoke on behalf of the deceased and read the following list of names: Josie Hyde—Alabama; W.M. Allen, Emily Boswell, Jean Gray, and Hugh Bill McGuire, Sr.—Mississippi; Sharon Kellam—North Carolina; Junior Smith and Lawson Smith—Texas. She led 327 (CB) in their memory. Charity then conducted a remembrance of our veterans. She led 137 (CB) for them. Mark Davis offered prayer to close the memorial service.

Leaders: Regina Derstine 410 (t? b?), 497 (CB); Erica Martinez 189, 279.

LUNCH

Henry McGuire brought the afternoon session to order by leading 492 (WB). Leaders: Wilma Ann Mitchell 248 (CH), 204; Henry Schuman 184 (CH); Kate Paxton 183; Lisa Leming 318, 155; Carole Watts 319; Nancy Van Den Akker 470 (CH); Robert DuPree 264 (CH); Charity Vaughn 521 (CB); Erica Martinez 58; Drew McGuire 65; Mary Ellen Schrock 189 (CH); Hugh McGuire 188 (CH); Darlene Reynolds 355 (CH); Sandra Melsheimer and Linda Hellerich 85 (CH); Mark Davis 101 (CH); Regina Derstine 313 (CH); Natalie Davis 63; Hugh McGuire and Henry McGuire 76 (CH) (in memory of Hugh Bill McGuire, Sr., 547 (CH) (in memory of John Newton Merritt).

Announcements were made. Henry McGuire, Hugh McGuire, and Mark Davis led the Drone (549b CH) as the closing song. Drew McGuire dismissed the class with prayer.

Chairman—Henry McGuire; Vice Chairman—Mark Davis; Secretary—Henry Schuman