Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

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Union Musical Sacred Harp Singing Convention

Sweetwater Memorial Chapel, Lawrenceville, Georgia

October 29-30, 2005

Saturday, October 29

The one hundred thirty-seventh session of the Union Musical Sacred Harp Singing Convention was called to order by Chairman John Plunkett leading 52t. John Hollingsworth offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: John Plunkett 47t; Lela Crowder 37b, 171; Helen Bryson 68b, 568; John Hollingsworth 138t, 489b; Andy Anderson 28t, 28b; Sandra Wilkinson 49b,129; Judy Mincey 50b, 474. Richard DeLong led the introductory lesson: 399b, 72b, 316, 375, 74b, 109, 395.

RECESS

The class was called to order by Judy Mincey leading 77t. Leaders: Tony Hammock 326, 101b; Judy Chambless 569b, 490; Jeremy Shipp 108b, 95.

On orderly motion, the convention entered into a business session. The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Judy Mincey, Vice Chairman—Scott DePoy, Secretary/Treasurer—Helen Bryson; Memorial Committee—Richard DeLong and Jeannette DePoy; Finance Committee—Jeremy Shipp; Arranging Committee—Andy Anderson, John Hollingsworth, Sandra Wilkinson, and Tony Hammock; Resolutions Committee—John Plunkett and Lela Crowder.

Leaders: Judy Mincey 186; Russ Hanson 460, 61; Jeannette DePoy 387, 567; Matt Hinton 146, 42.

LUNCH

Scott DePoy called the afternoon session to order with 201. Leaders: Joan Durden 448b, 178; Kelly Morris 159, 147t; Taylor Krebs 163b, 503; Karen Clark 187, 501; Mark King 82t, 155; Robert Chambliss 225t, 145b; Karen Morris 168, 454; Martha Harold 569t, 542; Don Clark 99, 34t; Carol Hanson 222, 47b.

RECESS

Judy Mincey called the class to order leading 30t. Leaders: Gaston White 40; Mary Brownlee 163t, 66; Charlene Wallace and Carlene Griffin 276, 283; Scott DePoy 277.

Announcements were made. Judy Mincey led 323t as the closing song. John Hollingsworth offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Sunday, October 30

The day of singing began with Scott DePoy leading 32t. John Plunkett offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Judy Mincey 145t; Helen Bryson 213t; Tony Hammock 75; Andy Anderson 155; Jeannette DePoy 39t; Sandra Wilkinson 311; Jeremy Shipp 495; Malinda Snow 34t; John Plunkett 93; Lela Crowder 421; Oscar McGuire 441; Scott DePoy 283 (for Don Bowen); Karen Clark 28b; Richard Delong 530; John Hollingsworth 236; Susan Posey 454; Taylor Krebs 282.

RECESS

Scott DePoy called the class to order by leading 410t. Leaders: Don Clark 31t; Russ Hanson 137; Matt Hinton 503; Mike Castleberry 59; Bridgett Hill 107; Tony Hammock 72b; Andy Anderson 276; Judy Mincey 279.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Richard Delong and Jeannette DePoy. Richard DeLong led 390 for the following deceased: Charlie Wellman, Cora Lou Wagner, and Berta Hanson—Georgia; Ivalene Donaldson—Alabama; Kelly Beard—Texas; Tom DePoy—Indiana.

Jeannette DePoy led 510 in honor of the following sick and shut-in: Loy Garrison, Dorothy Garrison, Wilton Donaldson, Violet Thomason, and Bill Windom. John Plunkett closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

LUNCH

Scott DePoy began the afternoon of singing with 179. Leaders: John Plunkett 182; Helen Bryson 522, 45t; Jeannette DePoy 362; Erica Hinton 178; Sandra Wilkinson 384; Jeremy Shipp 210; Malinda Snow 198; Lela Crowder 328; Oscar McGuire 573; Karen Clark 475; Scott DePoy 74b; Richard Delong 395, 411; John Hollingsworth 460; Susan Posey 547; Taylor Krebs 47b; Don Clark 171; Alice West 146; Russ Hanson 112; Mike Castleberry 354b; Bridgett Hill 68b, 168.

The business session reconvened for the purpose of hearing reports.

The following Resolutions Report was given: Sacred Harp singers find solace in tradition. We cherish the words, the sounds, and the act of making this music that brings us together. We find satisfaction in the same words and tunes that people have been singing for more than a century, and we should remember that they, too, lived lives full of joy and sadness, uncertainty and delight; and this music brought them comfort then just as it does now, for us. The Union Musical Convention has met for 137 sessions, and we should remember that those who founded this convention taught us how to sing, how to find reassurance in the words, and how to thrive because of this tradition. Therefore, the Resolutions Committee expresses its thankfulness to:

  • Sweetwater Chapel and Camp Creek Church for the use of the grounds and for hosting the convention this year.
  • The officers, committee members, and organizers for their efforts to see that the convention ran smoothly;
  • Everyone who contributed to the lunch;
  • Singers who traveled from both near and far to lend their voices;
  • Those singers who were able to support us in thought and prayer because they were unable to attend;
  • Those who have taught and continue to teach us how to appreciate and keep the tradition of Sacred Harp singing.
  • We are especially thankful for God’s Grace that allows us the freedom to gather together to meet and sing so that we can continue to enjoy this music.

We hope that we may remember the comfort that Sacred Harp singing brings us and keep it in our hearts until we all meet again.

Respectfully submitted by Lela Crowder and John Plunkett.

The Finance Report was made—Balance on hand prior to the convention—$4957.78; Expenses—$360.00; Amount collected for both days—$216.45. Total on account—$4814.25

Location Committee Report: Convention of 2006 will tentatively be held at Sweetwater Chapel as Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church will be unavailable.

Announcements were made. Judy Mincey and Scott DePoy led 62 as the closing song, and John Hollingsworth dismissed the class with prayer.

Chairman—Judy Mincey; Vice Chairman—Scott DePoy; Secretary/Treasurer—Helen Bryson.