Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 3rd annual Shaker Meetinghouse Singing was held on Saturday before the first Sunday in June at the historic Shaker Meetinghouse at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester, Maine. Barb Ames welcomed everyone and brought the class to order leading 46. Joanne Fuller offered the opening prayer. Meg Haskell and Barb Ames taught two Shaker songs to the assembled class: “Simple Gifts” and “In my Father’s House”.

The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairpersons—Barb Ames and Meg Haskell; Treasurer—Corrone Bryant; Arranging Committee—Edith Berger and Pleasance Crawford; Secretary—Barb Ames.

Leaders: Bobbie Goodell 68b; Mary Skidmore 324; Joanne Fuller 32t; Bill Holt 203; Robin Honaker 40; Richard Schmeidler 178; Pat Callahan 538; Corrone Bryant 73b; Edith Berger 384; Anne Kazlauskas 65; Chuck Crawford 101t; Elizabeth Stoddard 440; Robert Stoddard 103; Chris Holley 278t; Pleasance Crawford 573; Willis McCumber 506; Mary Jo Schafer 229; Vicki Adams 105; Celia Devine 362; Bobbie Goodell 474; Mary Skidmore 168; Corrone Bryant 28b.

RECESS

Bill Holt called the class back to order leading 148. Leaders: Joanne Fuller 39b; Francis Bliss 63; Barb Ames and Corrone Bryant 34b (including special birthday words in honor of the 91st birthday of Francis Bliss).

In a business session, a motion was made to change the name of this singing to the “Shaker Meetinghouse and Francis Bliss Birthday Singing”. The motion passed with much enthusiasm.

Leaders: Robin Honaker and Bess Honaker 159; Barb Ames 361; Richard Schmeidler 254; Pat Callahan 47b; Corrone Bryant 77b; Edith Berger 448b; Anne Kazlauskas 220; Chuck Crawford and Richard Carson 33t; Elizabeth Stoddard 354t; Robert Stoddard 330t; Chris Holley 201; Pleasance Crawford 371; Willis McCumber 396; Mary Jo Schafer 388; Vicki Adams 344; Celia Devine 326; Barb Ames 38b; Francis Bliss 86; Bill Holt 542; Richard Carson 354b; Chuck Micciche 146; Bobbie Goodell 473; Joanne Fuller 121; Anne Kazlauskas 36b; Richard Schmeidler 155; Pat Callahan 228; Mary Skidmore 300; Robert Stoddard and Elizabeth Stoddard 522.

Announcements were made. Barb Ames thanked the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Community for their hospitality, and everyone who helped make the singing a success. Treasurer Corrone Bryant reported that expenses had been met. Singers came from Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Ontario, Canada and San Felipe, Chile. Sixty songs were led by twenty four leaders.

Meg Haskell and Barb Ames led the Shaker song, “We Will All Go Home Again”. The class sang 347. A closing prayer was offered by Chris Holley before the group headed to the Shaker Dining Room in the Dwelling House, where Br. Arnold Hadd and Barb Ames offered a traditional silent Shaker Grace.

Chairpersons—Barb Ames and Meg Haskell; Secretary—Barb Ames