Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, August 26

President Mark Davis welcomed everyone to the 92nd annual session of the Mississippi State Sacred Harp Singing Convention, held on the fourth weekend in August. Mark Davis led 37b to bring the class to order. Arlon Gardner offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Mark Davis 203; Darlene Reynolds 490, 454; Arlon Gardner 565, 542. Mark Davis appointed the following members to the Business and Credentials Committee: Henry McGuire, Charlie McGuire, and Will Gatewood. Leaders: Amy Armstrong Wells 34b, 112; Ken Tate 548 (CH), 168b (CH); Jeff Jones 50b (CH), 51 (CH); Sonya Kirkham 64 (CB), 335 (CB); Dennis Cranford 178, 277; Ann Steel 179, 99.

RECESS

Arlon Gardner brought the class back together by leading 270. Leaders: Anders Wells 89, 76b; Gary Ryan 385t, 271t; Charlie McGuire 181, 398; Wilma Mitchell 39t, 117; Samantha Gardner and Sophia Gardner 142 (CH); Luke Addison 148, 503; Amy Armstrong Wells and Helen Wells 128; Regina Derstine 120, 215; Danny Creel 54 (CH), 121t (CH); Jane Armstrong 30t, 279; Will Gatewood 163t, 478 (WB); Warren Steel 189 (CH), 203 (CH).

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Mark Davis leading 155. Leaders: John Pyles 100, 101b; Kim Funderburk 47b, 119; Lisa Geist 272, 528; Chris Nicholson and Charity Vaughn 212 (CB), 425 (CB), 515 (CB); Joseph McClatchy 261t (CH), 410t (CH); Amber Davis 142; Nicholas Thompson 411, 131 (CH); Allison Pyles 258 (CH), 505 (CB); Mark Davis 507b (CB) (for Esther Mann); Henry McGuire 155 (CH), 43 (CH).

In a business meeting, the following officers were elected to serve: President—Mark Davis; Vice President—Henry McGuire; Secretary/Treasurer—Darlene Reynolds; Chaplain—Arlon Gardner.

Mark Davis led 240. Leaders: Ken Tate 432b (CH); Jeff James 138 (CH); Danny Creel 166 (CH); Nicholas Thompson and Amber Davis 380; Mark Davis 117 (CH) (for Alfred Bailey).

Mark Davis and Henry McGuire led The Drone as the closing song. Arlon Gardner offered the closing prayer.

Sunday, August 27

Mark Davis welcomed everyone to the Sunday session of the Mississippi State Sacred Harp Singing Convention. He led 81t. Arlon Gardner offered the opening prayer.

Mark Davis appointed Chris Nicholson and Charity Vaughn to serve as the Memorial Committee and Lisa Geist and Nicholas Thompson to serve as the Resolutions Committee.

Leaders: Mark Davis 183; Henry McGuire 196 (WB), 511 (WB); Darlene Reynolds 569b, 282; Arlon Gardner 278t, 448t; Sonya Kirkham 124, 40; Nicholas Thompson 110 (CH), 364 (CH); Amy Armstrong Wells 48t, 546; David Jackson 63, 235.

RECESS

Mark Davis brought the class back to order by leading 88b. Leaders: Jane Armstrong 296 (CH), 226t (CH); Lisa Geist 38t (CB), 472; Anders Wells 71, 110; Regina Derstine 272 (CB), 98 (CB).

The memorial lesson was held at this time. Chris Nicholson and Charity Vaughn led 54t (CB) in honor of the following sick and shut-ins: Liz Van Horn, Ozella Blackmon, Betty Shepherd, Richard Mauldin, Alice McGuire, John Lee Van Horn, Bruce Ray, Peggy Ray, Erselle Jackson, Estes Jackson, Judith Gatewood, Lucy Heidorn, and Leon Ballinger.

Lisa Geist and Nicholas Thompson led 76b (CH) in memory of the following deceased: Elder J.L. Hopper, Norma Green, Marlon Wootten, Boyd Scott, Doug Ivey, Juanita Beasley, Chita Blakeley, Jerry Kitchens—Alabama; Becky Browne—Missouri; Sue Bunch—Florida; Josh Martin, Charlotte Powell, Cheryl Foreman—Texas; Janice Hollingsworth—Mississippi; George Burnette, Philip Denney—Georgia; Eva Striebeck—Germany; Melanie Hauff—Illinois. David Jackson closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

LUNCH

The Resolutions Committee thanked everyone for coming, especially visitors and thanked everyone that helped prepare the food for both days. They remarked on the wonderful fellowship with one another, and agreed to meet back here at the same place on the fourth weekend in August, 2024.

Leaders: Mark Davis 29t; Will McGuire 111t, 300; Will Gatewood 528 (WB), 546t (WB); Chris Nicholson and Charity Vaughn 422t (WB), 422b (WB); Nicholas Thompson 159 (for Esther Mann), 147t; Arlon Gardner 216t (CH).

The Business and Credentials Committee gave the financial report, listing the following expenses: $103.76 spent for chicken for lunch, Antioch Primitive Baptist Church $400; Minutes publication $30; WCPC Houston MS Radio station $100, and Camp Fasola $250. The business meeting was closed.

Henry McGuire and Mark Davis led The Drone as the closing song. Arlon Gardner offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

President—Mark Davis; Vice President—Henry McGuire; Secretary—Darlene Reynolds