Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, September 28

The Young People’s Convention met in joint session with the Union Musical Convention on the fifth Sunday and Saturday before in September. The twenty-second session of the Young People’s Convention and the one hundred thirty-fourth session of the Union Musical Convention met at Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church in Dunwoody, Georgia.

Scott DePoy and Sarah Jenkins called the class to order leading songs on pages 46 and 101t. Jesse Roberts offered the morning prayer.

Cassie Franklin and Richard DeLong conducted the introductory lessons. Cassie Franklin led songs on pages 138b, 270, 300, and 209; Richard DeLong led songs on pages 316, 374, 375, 385t, and 283.

Leaders: Jessica Roberts 479; Riley Lee 40; Jenna Strizak 217; Hannah Highsmith 58; Kitty Kagay 216; Phillip Langley 110; Amy Lee 146; April Dell 376; Shaffiq Welji 183; Laura Clawson 362; Bryant Lee 99; Leanne Carter 313b; Mary Lee 358; Chris Carnell 36b; Shane O’Neal 59; Brady DeLong 47t; Brooks Strickland 361.

RECESS

Lela Crowder called the class back to order leading song on page 82t. Allison Schofield led song on page 81t.

On orderly motion the class went into a business session for the purpose of electing officers. The following officers were elected or appointed to serve for both Conventions: Chairman—Jessica Roberts; Vice Chairman—Lela Crowder; Chaplain—Martin Highsmith; Memorial Committee—Jesse Roberts, John Plunkett, and Mary Lee; Finance Committee—Brady DeLong, Phillip Langley, and Brooks Strickland; Arranging Committee—Hannah Highsmith, Cassie Franklin, Amy Lee, and Laura Clawson; Resolutions Committee—Judy Mincey, David Lee, Bryant Lee, and Rachel Carlisle.

Officers to serve only on behalf of the Young People’s Convention were: Secretary—Ashley Roberts; Locating Committee—Sarah Jenkins.

Officers and Committees to serve only on behalf of the Union Musical Convention were: Secretary/Treasurer—Helen Bryson; Locating Committee—Helen Bryson and Richard DeLong.

Leaders: Kelsey Wessels 29t; Patrick Brown 189; Linda Shea 282; Matt DeLong 34t; Trevor East 63; Tim Cook and Mako Cook 531, 503; Sandra Wilkinson 384; Tollie Lee 385b; Eric Tweedy 327; Susan Posey 178; Herman Wilkinson 215; Mike Castleberry 515; Gaston White 84; Christy DeLong 454; Frances Carnell 543.

LUNCH

Lela Crowder called the afternoon session to order leading song on page 106. Leaders: Kshama Ananthapura 274t; Rodney Ivey 426 (t? b?); Susan Harcrow 208; Ashley Roberts 436; David Lee 299; Reba Windom 222; Violet Thomason 318; Sally House 171; Kathy Lee 145b; Dennis George 532; Janice Paulk 498; Jesse Roberts “Ebenezer”; Clarke Lee 112; Cassie Franklin and Jessica Roberts 142; Helen Bryson 411; Rachel Carlisle 192; Diane Wall 497; Judy Mincey 475; Andy Anderson 510; David Yeager 148.

RECESS

Lela Crowder called the class to order leading song on page 186. Leaders: Andy Morse 328; Lee Rogers 176b; Laura Akerman 404; John Plunkett 136; Sarah Jenkins 203; Jenna Strizak 277; Kitty Kagay 379; Shaffiq Welji 245; Leanne Carter 47b; Allison Schofield 448t; Kelsey Wessels 442; Linda Shea 335; Phillip Langley 542.

Reports for the Young People’s Convention were given.

The Locating Committee, Sarah Jenkins, reported that the next session of the Convention would be held at Fuller Cemetery in Ider, Alabama on Saturday, August 30, 2003 (Saturday before the first fifth Sunday after July 4).

The Finance Committee for the Young People’s Convention reported the following: balances brought forward $211.00; expenses of the Convention totaled $169.00; donations were $336.00; ending balance $378.00. Monies were given to Sarah Jenkins.

Announcements were made. Jessica Roberts and Lela Crowder led song on page 347 as the closing song, Martin Highsmith offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Sunday, September 29

Jessica Roberts called the class to order for the continuation of the one hundred thirty-fourth session of the Union Musical Convention, and led song on page 34b. Martin Highsmith offered the morning prayer.

Officers previously elected in the Saturday session held jointly with the Young People’s Convention are: Chairman—Jessica Roberts; Vice Chairman—Lela Crowder; Secretary/Treasurer—Helen Bryson; Chaplain—Martin Highsmith; Memorial Committee—Jesse Roberts, John Plunkett, and Mary Lee; Finance Committee—Brady DeLong, Phillip Langley, and Brooks Strickland; Arranging Committee—Hannah Highsmith, Cassie Franklin, Amy Lee, and Laura Clawson; Resolutions Committee—Judy Mincey, David Lee, Bryant Lee, and Rachel Carlisle; Locating Committee—Helen Bryson and Richard DeLong.

Leaders: Lela Crowder 99; Riley Lee 164; Helen Bryson 568; Hannah Highsmith 63; Kitty Kagay 350; April Dell 405; Bryant Lee 38b; Shane O’Neal 45t; Loy Garrison 565; Brady DeLong 61; Mary Lee 171; Ashley Roberts 195; Brooks Strickland 410t; Phillip Langley 271t; Trevor East 354b; Jeannette DePoy 369; Matt DeLong 365; David Lee 147b; Christy DeLong 40; Laura Akerman 189; Kathy Lee 474.

RECESS

Lela Crowder brought the class back together by leading song on page 300. Leaders: Reuben Ball, Jr. 480; Richard DeLong 123b; Clarke Lee 566; Scott DePoy 277; Violet Thomason 384; Sally House 31t; Dennis George 573.

Jesse Roberts, Richard DeLong, John Plunkett, and Mary Lee conducted the memorial lesson. They pointed out that in the last two days we had been reminded over and over of the works of those who had gone on before us. Older members of the class have more friends on the other side than here. Soon the one Church above and beneath will be united, and we will sing as one. While we remain, we miss them and hope to be re-united. While we live here, we comfort and support each other. We must remember that today may be the last day we see each other. Kenneth DeLong was especially remembered for the love that he had for this convention.

The list of deceased remembered were: Kenneth DeLong—Georgia; George Cox—Alabama; Daniel Shea—Massachusetts; Viola Geiger—Florida. Mary Lee led song on page 503 in memory of the deceased. Richard DeLong led 348b in memory of Kenneth DeLong.

John Plunkett led song on page 457 for the sick and shut-ins. Martin Highsmith closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Leaders: Jesse Roberts 301; Janice Paulk 518; David Yeager 381; Lee Rogers 263.

LUNCH

Lela Crowder called the class to order for the afternoon session leading song on page 312b. Leaders: Faye Holbrook 455; John Plunkett 539; Charlene Wallace 177; Nancy Yeager 313b; Rachel Carlisle and Rebecca Tuley 341; Morgan DeLong 282; Andy Morse 546; Diane Wall 452; Andy Anderson, Joe Goldberg, and Jack Ricketson 36b; Helen Bryson 522; Jeannette DePoy 394; Sally House 66; Kitty Kagay 144; Elder Edward Cagle 306; Matt DeLong 329; Susan Roberts and Micah Roberts 155.

RECESS

Jessica Roberts and Lela Crowder brought the class together by leading song on page 145t. Leaders: Reuben Ball, Jr. 544; Scott DePoy 82t; Dennis George 133; Lee Rogers 220; Christy DeLong 146; Jesse Roberts 348t.

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

The Locating Committee for the Young People’s Convention was given on Saturday.

The Locating Committee for the Union Musical Convention, Helen Bryson and Richard DeLong, reported that next year’s convention will be held at Oak Grove Primitive Baptist Church on November 29-30, 2003 (first fifth Sunday and Saturday before following Labor Day).

The Resolutions Committee reported as follows:

The twenty-second annual Young People’s Convention in joint session with the one hundred thirty-fourth annual Union Musical Convention does hereby offer Praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God for:

• Praise and thanksgiving, and for His many gifts to us;
• Our creation, preservation and salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ;
• The gift of song and for these glorious expressions of praise, hope, and prayer we know as “The Sacred Harp”.

Further, we offer our thanks to our forebears, both of blood and of heart, for keeping this tradition alive and growing;

• We thank God for the spirit of fellowship that has brought these two bodies together in this historic meeting in this beautiful place;
• The hospitality of Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church;
• The direction and dedication of all the officers and committees; and
• The bountiful and delicious meals prepared by so many loving hands and for the joy visible on the faces of the friends and loved ones gathered here.

We do hereby resolve that as a body and individually, we will carry forward, both in our daily lives and in the community of singers, the ideals that shine forth from this special occasion. We will carry a spirit of inclusiveness, the joy of singing in harmony of heart and voice, and the love of God to us, and to all mankind.

Furthermore, we resolve to continue to meet and to sing, not only in these conventions next year, but as often as circumstances allow, that we may continue to express our thanks to God for these and all other gifts through this unique medium, Sacred Harp singing.

Respectfully submitted by the Resolutions Committee: David Lee, Bryant Lee, Judy Mincey, and Rachel Carlisle.

The Finance Report was given on Saturday for the Young People’s Convention.

The Finance Report was given by Helen Bryson for the Union Musical Sacred Harp Convention—Balance forward—$3,858.15. Donations in memory of Kenneth DeLong $340.00. Donations on Sunday $142.00. Expenses totaled $258.71. Ending Balance $4,081.44. The business session was closed.

Announcements were made. Jessica Roberts and Lela Crowder closed the session with song on page 62 as everyone who wished took the parting hand. Elder Edward Cagle offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Jessica Roberts; Vice Chairman—Lela Crowder; Secretary (Young People’s Convention)—Ashley Roberts; Secretary/Treasurer (Union Musical Sacred Harp Convention)—Helen Bryson.