Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The second annual session of the Pioneer Valley All Day singing was held on the first Saturday in July. The class was called to order by Laura Timmerman leading song on page 171. Kelsey Wessels offered the morning prayer and led song on page 475.

Chair—Laura Timmerman; Vice Chair—Kelsey Wessels; Treasurer—Linda Shea; Arranging Committee—Dan Hertzler and Cath Oss; Secretary—Kitty Kagay.

Leaders: George Seiler 68b; Kitty Kagay 375; Chris Noren 485; Paula McGray 150; Paul Butler 64; Inga Knets 82 (t? b?); Bob Mills 160b; Fran Ross 455; Mirjana Lausevic 217; Thom Metzger 101b; Diane Mennella 192; Peter Irvine 203; Sally House 146; Kshama Ananthapura 318; Eric Morgan 274t; Katie Mahoney 144; Andrew Magee 399b; Martha Lang 504; Tim Eriksen 216.

RECESS

Matt Wojcik called the class to order leading song on page 40. Leaders: Bob Parr 215; Kitty Lowenthal 84; Rachel Speer 417; Guy Bankes 162; Kim Bahmer 48t; Jeff Colby 335; Kara Morin 178; Eileen Metzger 383; Kelly House 384; Heather Andrews 300; Anna Maria Nygren 70b; Ginnie Ely 196; Charles Taylor 122; Bradford West 426 (t? b?).

Kate Richardson opened the memorial lesson by speaking of the community that extends beyond this room, and of being lifted up on waves of sound. She then led song on page 452 for these sick and homebound loved ones: Ruth Pomfret, Jean Seiler, Katie Meyers, Mary Ann Morrison, Dinah Breunig, and Mary Ann Haagen.

Allison Schofield spoke about being afraid of being confronted with someone’s grief. She said that is why we sing, to struggle to convey some part of what we feel and need to express, and to feel the comfort of things that one can not say in words. With this message of love, we pray that all here have found some comfort and go away a bit lighter. She then led song on page 285t in remembrance of the following deceased: Alice Gauthier, Tera Alston, Al Whitehead, Rose O’Ryan, Caroline Henderson Frost, Trim Bissell, Gus Butcher, Leonard Rudd Spencer, Winifred Bruner, Frances Beasley Lee, Wally Nelson, Harriett Henry, Bryce Butler, Jim Nichols, Vaughn Ward, Dean Cowles, John Lathrop, Daniel Shea, J. B. Parker, Juan Infante, Linda Smart, Christopher Sargent, Kyra Fisher, and Dorothy Cummings. Tim Eriksen closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Leaders: Linda Shea 229; Barbara Swetman 333; Meg Larson 503; L.H. Spencer 260; Laura Timmerman 282. Martha Lang offered the blessing for the noon meal.

LUNCH

Kelsey Wessels called the afternoon session to order leading song on page 81 (t? b?). Leaders: Paul Gauthier 542; Kate Richardson 484; Rosie Wojcik and Matt Wojcik 306 (in celebration of the marriage of Sheila Girling Smith and Edwin Macadam taking place on this day); Tim Eriksen 245; Marie Brandis 319; Rowen White 114; Dan Hertzler 270; Katie Servos 65; Carly Goss 386; Eric Morgan 328; Aldo Ceresa 475; Liz Meitzler 107; Katherine Collett 86; George Pomfrett 163 (t? b?); Bob Parr 528; Eliza Cavanaugh 73t; Paula McGray 299; Patricia Geritz 34b; Bill Dunn 347; Allison Schofield 95.

RECESS

Sheila Kelley called the class to order leading song on page 474.

It was announced that in 2003 this singing will be held on July 5, and Kelsey Wessels will be Chair.

Diane Mennella presented the Resolutions Committee Report with thanks extended to all those who worked so hard to make the day a success.

A special thanks was extended to Kshama Ananthapura for generously opening her home to all of us for the evening social.

Leaders: George Seiler 480; Rachael Keith, joined by her father, Brian Keith 276; Victoria Bolles 327; Denise Morris 58; Thom Metzger 99; Guy Bankes 441; Kim Bahmer 39t; Brian Collett 254; Rachel Speer 340; Jeff Colby 448t; Sally House 569b; Dana Welch 442; Peter Irvine 36b; Martha Lang 312 (t? b?); Bradford West 228; Kara Morin 155; Linda Shea 495.

Laura Timmerman led song on page 62 as the closing song. Eric Morgan offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chair—Laura Timmerman; Vice Chair—Kelsey Wessels; Secretary—Kitty Kagay.