Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, September 29

The one hundred thirty-third session of the Union Musical Sacred Harp Convention was called to order by Chairman John Plunkett leading song on page 171. Jesse Roberts offered the morning prayer. John Plunkett led song on page 31t.

The introductory lesson was conducted by Kenneth DeLong who led the following songs: 59, 303, 97, 87, 275b, 203, 319, 541, 422, and 316.

Leaders: Vice Chairman Scott DePoy 47b, 179; Secretary Helen Bryson 456; Helen Bryson and Diane Hodgnett 49b; Judy Mincey 410t, 50b; Jeannette DePoy 217, 216; Jesse Roberts 242, 34t.

RECESS

John Plunkett called the class back to order leading song on page 52t. Richard DeLong led songs on pages 36t and 61.

On orderly motion, the convention entered into a business session. The following officers were elected or appointed: Chairman—Scott DePoy; Vice Chairman—Jessica Roberts; Secretary/Treasurer—Helen Bryson; Chaplain—Jesse Roberts; Memorial Committee—Ted Mercer and Rodney Ivey; Finance Committee—Doug Allison and Andy Anderson; Arranging Committee—Jeannette DePoy; Resolutions Committee—John Plunkett and Judy Mincey.

Leaders: Lela Crowder 270, 278b; Ted Mercer 92, 181; Susan Roberts and Micah Roberts 155, 37b; Eric Tweedy 148, 200; Margie Dietz 47t, 268; Andy Anderson 276, 28t; Laurie Allison and Emma Allison 335; Loy Garrison 74t, 75; Shelbie Sheppard 332, 499; Charles Woods 271t, 411; Rodney Ivey 142, 384; Henry Johnson 231, 418; Doug Allison 77t, 71; Jeff Sheppard 347, 322.

LUNCH

Scott DePoy called the afternoon session to order leading song on page 235. Leaders: Jessica Roberts 479, 91; Alice West 207, 448b; Eric Tweedy 442; Helen Bryson 196; Jesse Roberts 186; Shelbie Sheppard 110; Ted Mercer 192; Margie Dietz 46; Henry Johnson 570; Lela Crowder 282; Richard DeLong 374; Judy Mincey 497; Rodney Ivey 277; Loy Garrison 503; Jeff Sheppard 464; Doug Allison 278t; Andy Anderson 120; Charles Woods 149; Susan Roberts 40; Alice West 294; Laura Akerman 454.

Helen Bryson gave a short history of the Sweetwater Memorial Chapel.

Announcements were made. Scott DePoy led song on page 36b as the closing song. Jesse Roberts offered the closing prayer.

Sunday, September 30

The day of singing began with Chairman Scott DePoy leading songs on pages 101t and 421. Jeff Sheppard offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Jessica Roberts 37b, 148, 99; Jeannette DePoy 39b, 44, 436; Cathy White 63, 34b, 84; Andy Anderson 38b, 39t; Lela Crowder 56b, 112, 430; Junie Wooten 503, 492; Teenie Moody 171, 187; John Plunkett 271b, 53, 435.

RECESS

Jessica Roberts called the class to order by leading song on page 542. Leaders: Lee Rogers 147b, 540, 350; John Hollingsworth 138t, 176t; Mary Florence Smith 271t, 441, 57; Bob Goodman 66, 68b, 155; Laura Akerman 532, 434.

RECESS

Scott DePoy called the class to order leading song on page 201. Leaders: Helen Bryson 163t, 300, 522; Joel Jenkins 82t, 59; Susan Roberts 146, 339.

Ted Mercer conducted the memorial lesson. The following deceased singers were remembered: Herman Thomason, Uncle Jack Corley, Mary Lou Cagle, Doris Sills, and J.B. Parker—Georgia; Jerilyn Schumacher—Illinois; Eula Johnson and Roie Alexander—Alabama. Richard DeLong led songs on pages 123b and 348b for the deceased.

The sick and shut-ins remembered were: Helen Plunkett, Robert DePoy, Barbara DePoy, June Smith, Mozelle Sheppard, and Don Bowen—Georgia; Roy Nelson family, Alice Edwards, Joyce Walton, Jap Walton, Marie Ivey, and Polly Moore—Alabama. Rodney Ivey led songs on pages 275b and 138b for the sick and shut-ins. Jesse Roberts closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

LUNCH

Scott DePoy began the afternoon of singing leading song on page 48t. Leaders: Jackson Harcrow 354b, 153; Shelbie Sheppard 242, 263 (by request); Ted Mercer 280, 345b; Susan Harcrow 113, 142; Jesse Roberts 291, 365; Henry Johnson 566, 535; Jeff Sheppard 362, 538; Dan Huger 501b, 474; Rodney Ivey 172, 564; Richard DeLong 567.

RECESS

Jessica Roberts called the class to order leading song on page 128. Leaders: Sarah Harcrow 168, 340; Kenneth DeLong 301; Frances Mary D’Andrea 547, 182; Faye Holbrook and son, Wayne Pettis 343b (for Violet Thomason), 45t; Judy Mincey 367, 510; Alice West 496, 540.

The business session was continued for the purpose of hearing committee reports.

The Locating Committee reported that next year’s convention will be held at Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church.

Resolutions Committee—The 133rd meeting of the Union Musical Convention hereby offers the following: We resolve to offer thanks to Almighty God for all blessings bestowed upon us:

(1) For this country in which we can freely meet and sing these songs, both old and new;

(2) For the songs and the writers, past and present, stirring us to live more fully;

(3) For the fellowship of kindred hearts and minds.

We offer our gratitude to Sweetwater Memorial Chapel, and those who maintain it, for allowing us to come and sing in this historic place.

We offer our thanks to all the convention officers whose work, though perhaps not seen, is not unnoticed.

We praise all the cooks and thank them for the bounty they prepared each day.

We resolve to continue to “walk in the old paths,” seeking to establish that “New Jerusalem” in our hearts and in the world.

Submitted this day, the 30th of September 2001. Resolutions Committee—Judy Mincey and John Plunkett.

On orderly motion by Richard DeLong, it was moved and carried that the Young People’s Convention would be held jointly with the Union Musical Convention on Saturday of next year’s convention, and the years following when the convention falls on the same weekend.

Finance Report—Balance brought forward $3,640.90. Expenses of the convention totaled $270.10; collection for both days totaled $242.50. Balance on hand—$3,613.30. The business session was closed.

Announcements were made. Scott DePoy led song on page 192 as the closing song. Jesse Roberts offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Scott DePoy; Vice Chairman—Jessica Roberts; Secretary/Treasurer—Helen Bryson.