Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, November 30

The thirty-fifth session of the Florida State Convention was called to order by President Reba Windom leading song on page 82. The opening prayer was offered by Bill Aplin.

Leaders: Reba Windom 32t; Larry Ballinger 559; Victoria Aplin 268t; Jewell Rowland 143; Aubrey Barfield 306; Hobart Ivey 535t; Cheryl Foreman 183; Louis Hughes 138t; Kathryn Keller 146; John Merritt 358; Stanley Smith 302; Daphene Causey 500; Floyd Bennett 541b.

A short memorial was held to honor the memory of the founders of this convention. Thirty-six years ago several people got together and decided they would organize a two-day singing for south Florida. At the time there were singings being held in that part of the state from Vero Beach to Bethlehem. Those who were organizers were Elmar Woodley, his church in Winter Garden was where it was held, Hayward (Tom) Ross, Runie Glover, D.T. Plant, Lane Albritton, and John Barfield. The last of the organizers, Lane Albritton, passed away last year on Christmas Day. What a great time to join those who proceeded him on our Saviors Birthday. I think it would be appropriate to stop for a minute and say thank you for a job well done. I’m sure we could talk most of the day of things we remember about each of them. Victoria Aplin led song on page 204 in memory of Lane Albritton. Tommie Spurlock led song on page 376 in memory of all the organizers. We will miss you very much. Aubrey Barfield closed the session with prayer.

RECESS

The singing continued with President Reba Windom leading song on page 36b. Leaders: Danny Creel 54t; Wilton Donaldson 395b; Alice Bejnar 29b; Neila Nicholson and Alex Makris 81, 511; Wayne Jones 94; Mattie Townsel 112; Leon Ballinger 337; Nate Green and Norma Green 208; Wanda Capps 355; Milton Oliver 503; Bill Aplin 502; Karen Clark 486.

RECESS

The singing continued with Vice President Larry Ballinger leading song on page 572. Leaders: Joe Nall 186; Emily Creel 142; Russ Scholz 43; Sylvia Ivey 76b; Tim Jones 276; Brenda Merritt 277; Tor Bejnar 411; Genny Whitworth 64; Morgan Bunch and Sue Bunch 344; Hubert Nall 84; Eva Padgett 424; Kennon Smith 189; Bob Bonnell 244; Beverly Dayton 427; J.C. Rutledge 469. The class sang 369, John Merritt offered grace for the noon meal, and the class was dismissed for lunch.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by President Reba Windom leading song on page 573. Leaders: Mike Jones 426; Wilburn Ellison 447t; Dewayne Hawthorne 179; Ernest Cockcroft 225t; Bill Farris 401; Frank Hataway 444t; John Etheridge “Mercy Seat”; Bud Oliver 440b; Loretta Jones 292b; Tommie Spurlock 497; Agnes Farris 108b; Ellen Gaynn 122; Margaret Spurlock 212; Sue Bunch 229; Earl Ballinger 515; LaRue Allen 300; Neila Nicholson and Alex Makris 331; Danny Creel 224.

RECESS

Aubrey Barfield brought the class to order leading song on page 199. Leaders: Floyd Bennett 63; Ivalene Donaldson 274t; Kathryn Keller 127; Alice Bejnar 108t; Emily Creel 192; Tor Bejnar 574; Wanda Capps 222; Tim Jones 336t; Cheryl Foreman 410; Dewayne Hawthorne 571.

President Reba Windom and John Etheridge led song on page 488 as the closing song. Louis Hughes led in the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Sunday, December 1

The Sunday session was called to order by President Reba Windom leading song on page 61. The opening payer was offered by Aubrey Barfield. Leaders: Larry Ballinger 425; Victoria Aplin 421; Jewell Rowland 341; Aubrey Barfield 140; Louis Hughes 528b; Don Clark 171; Cheryl Foreman 558; Wilton Donaldson 285t; Joe Nall 357; Sue Bunch 128; Earl Ballinger 501; Neila Nicholson and Alex Makris 358; Hobert Ivey 511b; LaRue Allen 36b; John Merritt 520; Wanda Capps 505; Bob Bonnell 543; Kathryn Keller 72.

RECESS

President Reba Windom brought the class to order leading song on page 508. Leaders: Morgan Bunch 384; Mary Ellen Schrock 500; Michael Flanery 203; Emily Creel 112; J.C. Rutledge 478; Daphene Causey 137; Leon Ballinger 217; Sylvia Ivey 484.

Tommie Spurlock and Wanda Capps conducted the memorial lesson to remember the ones who this past year went to be with the Lord. Today they are singing around the throne never to give out or tire of singing praises to their maker. Tommie Spurlock led song on page 346 in their memory.

Wanda Capps read the names of the sick and shut-ins, and led song on page 144 for those remembered. Aubrey Barfield closed the memorial with prayer.

Leaders: Reba Windom 132; Hubert Nall 293b; Mattie Townsel 313; Russ Scholz 503; Karen Clark 516; Neila Nicholson 571; Alex Makris 282; Stanley Smith 235 (by special request). President Reba Windom led song on page 369, Louis Hughes offered grace for the noon meal, and the class was dismissed for lunch.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Vice President Larry Ballinger leading song on page 49t. Leaders: Tim Jones 336b; Loretta Jones 111b; John Etheridge 123; Nate Green and Norma Green 572; Frank Hataway 443b; Juanita Hill 84; Wayne Jones 283b; Bill Aplin 267t, 288 (for Mrs. Irma Shirah); Margaret Spurlock 108b; Ernest Cockcroft 32t; Mike Jones 31t; Steve Talbart 100; Tommie Spurlock 264b; Aubrey Barfield and Sheila Commander 404; Cheryl Foreman 470; Sylvia Ivey 138b; Leon Ballinger 120; Earl Ballinger 121; Karen Clark and Don Clark 30t; Russ Scholz 575; Morgan Bunch and Sue Bunch 274t; John Merritt “Nothing But The Blood”.

The officers for next year will be: Chairman—Max Berueffy; First Vice Chairman—Larry Ballinger; Second Vice Chairman—Russ Scholz.

The officers led song on page 62 as the closing song, John Merritt offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

President – Reba Windom; Secretary – Victoria Aplin.