Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, July 31

The 169th session of the Chattahoochee Musical Convention was held on the first Sunday and Saturday before in August at Wilson Chapel, Whitesburg, Georgia. Sheri Taylor welcomed everyone and called the class to order by leading 39b (for Don Bowen) and 49b. Daniel Williams offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Laura Frey 47b, 119; Lisa Webb 159, 222; Christian Webb 294, 124; Jenna Frey 163b, 45t; Jacob Griffith 68b, 290; Jeremiah Ledbetter 72b, 270; Glenda Collins 32t, 77t; Daniel Williams 495, 131t; Barbara Brooks 34b, 102.

RECESS

Lori Goode called the class back to order by leading 358 and 176b. Leaders: Bill Dupree 35, 378t; Samuel Williams 378b, 117; Oscar McGuire 129, 229; Jonathon Smith 81t, 108t; Jacob Griffith 82t, 277. Jacob Griffith asked a blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Sheri Taylor leading 75. The convention was called into a business session. The following officers and committee members were elected or appointed to serve for the 2021 session: Chairman—Sheri Taylor; Vice Chairmen—Laura Frey and Lisa Webb; Secretary—Jenna Frey; Arranging Committee—Jenna Frey and Laura Frey; Finance Committee—Lori Goode and Christian Webb; Memorial Committee—Laura Frey; Resolutions Committee—Oscar McGuire.

Leaders: Laura Frey 39t (in memory of Richard DeLong); Daniel Williams 128, 131b; Samuel Williams 411; Barbara Brooks 303, 457; Glenda Collins 99, 454; Jeremiah Ledbetter 148, 312b; Riley McKibbin 46; Jonathon Smith 107, 345b; Bill Dupree 274t, 36b; Oscar McGuire 276, 503; Lisa Webb 40, 63; Jacob Griffith 282, 155; Jenna Frey 408. Announcements were made. Sheri Taylor and Laura Frey led 323t as the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer offered by Daniel Williams.

Sunday, August 1

The Sunday session of the Chattahoochee Convention was brought to order by Sheri Taylor leading 73t and 77t. The opening prayer was offered by Cecil Roberts.

Leaders: Laura Frey 97, 63; Jenna Frey 178; Cecil Roberts 32t, 33b; Oscar McGuire 34b, 515; Garrett Morton 47t, 59; Winfred Kerr 47b, 89; Lisa Webb 323b, 408; Lori Goode 435, 499; Jonathon Smith 48t, 127; Nathan Rees 65, 126.

RECESS

Laura Frey led 163b to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Oscar McGuire 171, 336; Winfred Kerr 337, 516; Garrett Morton 106, 146; Cecil Roberts 138b, 76b; Jonathon Smith 133, 324. The class was dismissed for lunch with Cecil Roberts saying Grace.

LUNCH

The class was brought back to order by Lori Goode leading 358 and 551. Lori Goode and Oscar McGuire led 512.

Laura Frey conducted the memorial lesson by reading the following: The memorial lesson is an important part of every convention. Traditionally we take this opportunity to remember those who would like to join us but physically cannot. It is especially important this year to remember all those who are sick and pray diligently for comfort and quick healing. Please keep the following names of the sick and shut-ins in your prayers and thoughts: Judy Henry, Don Bowen, Virginia Dyer, John Hollingsworth, Elsie Hollingsworth, and Angela, David Jackson, and Joan Aldridge.

As we remember the sick and shut-ins, we also need to take time to reflect on our loved ones who are no longer with us. The names of the deceased are Jerry Cole—Georgia and Coy Ivey—Alabama. When I look towards the back of the church, in the 5th or 6th row I can vividly see my grandmother, Mary Hackney. I can also see my Aunt Naomi Sailors and Miss Gladys McGraw who always sat near each other. As I look at the front row, I can see B.M., and I can hear Jeff Sheppard keying. On treble, I can see Bentley McGuire and Earlis McGraw who gave the best hugs. I can hear Richard DeLong’s wonderful voice as he hits those high notes. When I look at the bass I can see and hear Hugh McGraw smiling and singing. Sitting in alto, I can clearly see Carlene towards the back, and right up front next to the bass in her favorite spot at any singing, Charlene Wallace. As a little girl I would sit next to Charlene so I could learn alto and as I got older, I remember her encouraging me to sing loud because one day she was not going to be there. As we all look around, there are many more faces and voices that are no longer with us. My Grandmother always told me to keep singing. Today, for the 169th session of the Chattahoochee Convention we all kept singing, despite the ongoing hardships. I hope they are all looking down on us and are proud we have kept the convention going. Time is fleeting, and through God’s amazing grace we can rejoice knowing one day we will be able to join our voices together again in Heaven! Laura Frey led 87. Cecil Roberts closed the memorial service with prayer.

Leaders: Nathan Rees 338, 96; Garrett Morton 46, 51; Cecil Roberts 97; Lisa Webb 168, 212; Oscar McGuire 229; Winfred Kerr 36b, 283; Christian Webb 345t; Riley McKibben 133, 46; Laura Frey 37b.

The convention was motioned into a business session. Lori Goode read the financial report for the two days. Oscar McGuire submitted the following resolution: First and foremost, we thank God for protecting us and blessing us through the last year and allowing us to meet and sing praises to Him during these trying times of the lingering virus pandemic. Secondly, we are thankful for every member of the Wilson family for their never-ending support and tireless efforts to preserve and maintain Wilson’s Chapel as well as providing a place to sing at the Chattahoochee Convention. Third, we thank everyone that helped provide food, drinks, and everything else to fulfill all our needs during the convention. Last but not least, we thank everyone that attended to sing and fellowship and make the 169th session of the Chattahoochee Convention a success. We resolve to meet next year on the first Sunday and Saturday before in August for the 170th session of the Chattahoochee Convention. Motion was made and carried that the reports be accepted as read and added to the convention’s minutes. Announcements were made. Sheri Taylor gave a special thanks to Shane Wilson for the wonderful grounds work he did and to Jody Wood for installing two new ceiling lights and two new ceiling fans in the church. Sheri Taylor, Laura Frey, Jenna Frey, and Lisa Webb led 62 as the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer offered by Cecil Roberts.

Chairman—Sheri Taylor; Vice Chairmen—Laura Frey and Lisa Webb; Secretary—Jenna Frey