Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

At the invitation of Martin Williams, the second singing day at Oxted United Reform Church was called to order at 11:00 a.m. by Michael Walker leading 45t. Ken Baddley offered the opening prayer.

The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Michael Walker; Secretary—Steve Fletcher; Chaplain—Ken Baddley.

Leaders: Steve Fletcher 48t; Dave Richardson 52t; Linda Reed 479; Nick Hall 350; Sofi Mogensen 84; Helen Brown 492; Ken Baddley 34b; Jacqui Selby-MacLeod 70t; Ted Brown 303; Michael Walker 101t, 528; Dave Richardson 274b; Steve Fletcher 38b, 201; Linda Reed 99, 49b; Nick Hall 287, 515; Helen Brown 47t, 171; Dave Richardson 148; Sofi Mogensen 28t, 312b; Ken Baddley 192, 121; Rebecca Over 277; Jacqui Selby-MacLeod 29t, 179; Ted Brown 81t; Jan Lawrence 178; Michael Walker 77t, 53; Steve Fletcher 40, 315; Linda Reed 210, 361; Nick Hall 318, 501; Helen Brown 542, 270; Sofi Mogensen 31t, 332; Ken Baddley 569b, 569t; Jacqui Selby-MacLeod 384, 512; Rebecca Over 274t; Ted Brown 496, 35; Michael Walker 138b; Steve Fletcher 131t; Linda Reed 300; Nick Hall 455; Helen Brown 549.

Michael Walker conducted the memorial lesson, speaking of how the stories of his grandparents and great-grandparents told within his family serve to keep them alive in the family’s memory. He drew a parallel with the remembrance of singers within the Sacred Harp community. We remembered the following deceased: Marie Holloway—Maryland; Chris Walker—Sussex; Ron Lewis and Mel Browne—Devon; Suzanne Reeves and David Lee—Essex; Cathy Itzin and Marilyn Jupp—London; Jim Lewis—Bedford; Len Lewis—Oxford; Erik Mogensen—France; Alf Reeves—Easton, Surrey; Glynne Williams—Cardiff. Michael Walker led 278t in their memory.

Steve Fletcher gave the sick and housebound lesson, speaking of the patience and dedication of stonemasons who spend their whole working lives in one cathedral, and how we can learn from them to abide and to find a way to take small steps in a grand compass, as a way of renovating our own lives. We held in mind the following people: Rita Drayson, Joyce Over, Carl Lawrence, Maureen Gamlin, Linda Moss, and Jenny Reeves. Steve Fletcher led 68b in their honor. Ken Baddley offered a prayer to close the memorial service.

Leaders: Sofi Mogensen 228; Ken Baddley 481; Jacqui Selby-MacLeod 134; Jan Lawrence 163b; Ted Brown 111b; Michael Walker 289; Steve Fletcher 183; Linda Reed 86; Nick Hall 146; Helen Brown 475; Sofi Mogensen 503; Jacqui Selby-MacLeod 448t; Jan Lawrence 117; Ted Brown 445; Steve Fletcher 65.

Following notices of forthcoming singing events, Ken Baddley led 497, and offered the closing prayer. Michael Walker closed the day by leading 62.

Chairman—Michael Walker; Secretary—Steve Fletcher