Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, August 5

The one hundred forty-eighth session of the Chattahoochee Convention was held at Wilson’s Chapel, near Carrollton, Georgia, on the first Sunday and Saturday before in August. Sheri Taylor called the class to order at 10:00 a.m. leading songs on pages 56t and 73t. Lonnie Rogers led the morning prayer.

Leaders: Phillip Langley 464, 39t; Donna Duke 63, 101t; Laura Frey 442, 178; Charlene Wallace 197, 395; Jeannette DePoy 354 (t? b?), 215; D.J. Hatfield 110, 567; Richard Mauldin 276, 36b; Gene Duke 75, 76b; Hugh McGraw 227; John Plunkett 379, 112; Lori Goode 532, 176b; Rev. Lloyd Toney 45t, 358.

RECESS

The class was called to order by Phillip Langley leading songs on pages 47b and 542. Leaders: Tokay Shumake 59, 68b; Helen Bryson 299, 269.

The class organized with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Sheri Taylor; Vice Chairman—Phillip Langley; Secretary—Donna Duke; Chaplain—Rev. Lloyd Toney; Arranging Committee—Helen Bryson and Kenneth DeLong (on Saturday), Jeannette DePoy and Scott DePoy (on Sunday); Memorial Committee—Lee Rogers and Judy Mincey; Finance Committee—Laura Frey and Lori Goode; Resolutions Committee—Richard Mauldin and John Plunkett.

Leaders: Lonnie Rogers 318, 225t; Kenneth DeLong 369, 568; Lisa Webb 46, 300; Willie Askew 45t; Everette Denney 335, 159; Andy Anderson 31b, 40; Chris Tweedy 147b, 535; Bobby Jackson 34t, 274 (t? b?).

LUNCH

Chairman Sheri Taylor opened the afternoon session by leading songs on pages 142 and 168. Leaders: Carlene Griffin 155, 171; Mary Florence Smith 213 (t? b?), 43; Lou Cotney 218, 384; Ted Mercer 468, 278b; Judy Mincey 278t, 540; Felton Denney 387, 489; Richard DeLong 123t, 411; Tim Cook 511, 49t; Eric Tweedy 163t, 510; Jimmie Denney 31t, 51; Don Bowen 475, 494.

RECESS

Chairman Sheri Taylor brought the class to order leading song on page 148. Leaders: Lee Rogers 131b, 528; Scott DePoy 480; Paul Gailiunas 383, 474; Henry Johnson 56 (t? b?), 67; Andy Morse 216, 349; Amanda Denson 291, 101b; Dennis George 268, 277; Bernard Denney 81t, 222; Masako Cook 523; John Hollingsworth 409, 82 (t? b?).

Chairman Sheri Taylor closed the first day’s session by leading song 323t.

Sunday, August 6

The Sunday morning session was brought to order by Chairman Sheri Taylor leading songs on pages 42 and 77t. Myron House led the morning prayer.

Leaders: Phillip Langley 192, 480; Donna Duke 276, 274 (t? b?); Jeannette DePoy 306, 44; Don Bowen 283, 517; Patricia Mauldin 63, 146; Andy Anderson 313t, 312b; Carlene Griffin 81t, 97; Scott DePoy 47b, 384; Jan House 335, 143; Jacob Griffith 503; Margie Smith 32t, 101t; Everette Denney 405, 84; Laura Frey 29t, 117; Phil Logan 53, 171.

RECESS

Vice Chairman Phillip Langley called the class to order leading song on page 217. Leaders: Myron House 26, 27; Bobby Jackson 490, 278b; B.M. Smith 99, 222; Lori Goode 402, 120; Earlis McGraw 225t, 389.

The memorial lesson was held at this time. Lee Rogers read scripture from Isaiah 23:16: “Make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered,” and read the following list of deceased: D.A. Brock, Dollie Hudgins, and Allene Stanford—Georgia; Marie Aldridge, Willie Mosley, and Virgil Phillips—Alabama; Jeff Hamon—Illinois; Karen House—New York; and Jack Benoit—Texas. Lonnie Rogers led songs on pages 348 (t? b?) and 45t for the deceased.

Judy Mincey read the list of sick and shut-ins: Mozelle Sheppard, I.V. McWhorter, Vivian Rogers, Violet Thomason, Herman Thomason, Jack Smith, Richard Chang, Ruby Phillips, Gertie DeLong, Charlotte Allison, Mercedes Cagle Lambert, Bill Green, Tommye Denson Mauldin, and Gene Wakefield. D.J. Hatfield led song 340 for the sick and shut-ins. Rev. Lloyd Toney closed the memorial session with prayer.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Chairman Sheri Taylor leading song on page 209. Leaders: John Plunkett 47t, 370; Judy Mincey 538; Jeremy York 365; Richard DeLong 399b, 375; Amanda Denson 83t, 186; Ted Mercer 151, 163b; Paul Gailiunas 34b, 189; Henry Johnson 285t, 284; Oscar McGuire 573, 473; David Yeager 49t, 178; Richard Mauldin 551; D.J. Hatfield 224, 102; Lee Rogers 206, 425.

RECESS

Laura Frey called the class together leading song on page 451. Leaders: Laura Akerman 404, 528; Felton Denney 31t, 49b; Lonnie Rogers 112; Jimmie Denney 111t, 135; Betty Wright 312t.

The convention was motioned into a business session for the purpose of hearing reports. Committee reports were read as follows:

Finance Committee—collected $453.00 for the two day total.

Resolutions Committee—“We resolve to thank God, our Creator, and Redeemer, who sustains us in times of sorrow and shares in our joys for His many blessings. We give Him further thanks for His spiritual inspiration to the writers of these songs, hymns, and anthems, as well as, the singers that have preserved them over the years by continuing to support these conventions through many different ways. We also express our appreciation to the publishers that keep this great book in print and the people that spread this special music by tapes, videos, CDs, and singing schools; and all the singers that traveled here these two days to make this meeting so delightful. We also remember to give thanks to the Wilson family that has provided this very special place for us to meet and sing praises to our Lord and Savior. We also thank our officers and committees for a well-run convention, and all the people who provided nourishment to us these two days. We therefore resolve to:

(1) Continue working together in unity and love; to bless those we meet along the way, and carry our concern to those who need our support;

(2) To support singings and singers through our presence and prayers; and

(3) To meet again here next year the first Sunday in August and the Saturday before, to lift our voices toward heaven at the 149th session of the Chattahoochee Convention.”

Respectfully submitted: Bobby Jackson, Richard Mauldin, and John Plunkett.

A motion was made and carried that the reports be accepted as read, and added to the minutes. The business session was closed.

Announcements for future singings were announced. Sheri Taylor and Phillip Langley led song on page 62 as the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer led by Lonnie Rogers.

We were glad to have a singer from the United Kingdom with us during our convention, as well as those from out of state that came to help us.

Chairperson—Sheri Taylor; Vice Chairman—Phillip Langley; Secretary—Donna Duke.