Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The Berks County Sacred Harp Singers hosted the sixth annual all day singing on Saturday before Labor Day at Maidencreek Meeting House near Leesport, Pennsylvania.

Guy Bankes called the class to order at 9:30 a.m. leading song on page 77b. Ginny Landgraf led the opening prayer.

Leaders: Claire Simon 28b; Rosemary Greenaway 56 (t? b?); Donna Abrahams 85; Dennis Leipold 76b; Ginny Landgraf 504; Gabriel Kastelle 33b; Diane Mennella 32t; Doron Henkin 29t; Barbara Swetman 315; Thom Metzger 216; Willie Israel 335; Eileen Metzger 48t; Ted Stokes 428; Kathy Manning 222; Gail Doss 269; Roland Hutchinson 99; Paula McGray 151.

RECESS

Gabriel Kastelle brought the class to order leading song on page 30b. Leaders: Blake Morris 297; Gina Balestracci 182; Joyell Washington 28t; Hal Kunkel 158; Laura Densmore 448 (t? b?); Claire Simon 106; Rosemary Greenaway 383; Donna Abrahams 532; Dennis Leipold 406; Ginny Landgraf 564; Gabriel Kastelle 179; Diane Mennella 530; Doron Henkin 573; Barbara Swetman 417; Thom Metzger 101b; Willie Israel 86; Eileen Metzger 168; Ted Stokes 401; Kathy Manning 202.

RECESS

Guy Bankes brought the class to order leading song on page 63. Leaders: Gail Doss 302; Roland Hutchinson 245; Theresa Farisi 312b; Blake Morris 103; Gina Balestracci 384; Joyell Washington 313b.

Rosemary Greenaway led the memorial lesson and song on page 429 for the following sick and shut-ins and those troubled in their hearts and souls: Jan King and Joanna Sorlien—Pennsylvania; Phil Shea—Massachusetts; Jeff Sheppard and Shelbie Sheppard—Alabama; Dan Brittain—Texas; Gordon Ashford—United Kingdom; John Etheridge—Florida; John delRe—Virginia.

Guy Bankes led the memorial lesson and song on page 312t for the following deceased: J.B.Parker—Georgia; Peter Henkel—Michigan; Jerilyn Schumacher—Illinois; Mary Kay Friday—District of Columbia; Susan Garber—Connecticut; Robert Todd—Pennsylvania. Ginny Landgraf closed the memorial lessons with a prayer.

Leaders: Paula McGray 228; Hal Kunkel 298; Laura Densmore 542.

Willie Israel offered a prayer as grace for lunch.

LUNCH

Susan Munch opened the afternoon session leading song on page 38b. Leaders: Ruth Shaffer “Pottsville” (in German); Blake Morris “Submission”; Doron Henkin “Hauff”; Gina Balestracchi “Reading”; Thom Metzger “Conflict”; Guy Bankes “Willow Grove”; Blake Morris “Anticipation”.

RECESS

Susan Munch called the class to order leading song on page 155. Leaders: Ginny Landgraf 344; Claire Simon 84; children’s lesson 388; Rosemary Greenaway 362; Peter Pate 396; Diane Mennella 254 (in honor of the wedding of Susan Bingham and Bob Widmer); Nancy Tkacs 268; Donna Abrahams 114; Kacy Pate 440; Dennis Leipold 31t; Barbara Swetman 333, 515; Theresa Farisi 146; Thom Metzger 198.

A short business meeting was held, during which the treasurer reported that expenses had been met.

In addition to the officers, thanks were expressed to: Betty Hanf and Doron Henkin—organization; Guy Bankes—convener; Pat Pingel—set-up; Laura Densmore—housing and arranging; Blake Morris, Ginny Landgraf, Paula McGray, and Joyell Washington—pitching; Rosemary Greenaway and Guy Bankes—memorial lessons; Susan Munch—registration; Ginny Landgraf and Willie Israel—chaplains; Ted Stokes—after singing social. Announcements of upcoming singings were made.

RECESS

Betty Hanf called the class to order leading song on page 163b. Leaders: Kathy Manning 377; Joyell Washington 126; Eileen Metzger 77t; Gabriel Kastelle 189; Gail Doss 191; Doron Henkin 193; Gina Balestracci 419; Ted Stokes 444; Blake Morris 291; Roland Hutchinson 112; Hal Kunkel 36b; Susan Munch 178; Paula McGray 176b; Laura Densmore 83t.

Guy Bankes led song on page 62 as the closing song, and the class was dismissed with prayer led by Willie Israel.

Chairman—Doron Henkin; Treasurer—Ruth Shaffer; Secretary—Gina

Balestracci.