Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, December 4

The 43rd session of the Florida State Sacred Harp Convention was call to order by Morgan Bunch leading 31b. The opening prayer was offered by Johnny Lee.

Leaders: Morgan Bunch 52t; Nate Green 32t; Victoria Aplin 274t, 268t; Jewell Rowland 143, 341; Aubrey Barfield 497, 304; Tim Jones 273, 120; Nancy Van Den Akker 440b, 127; Clark Perry and Cindy Durkee 38t, 348t; Reba Windom 505.

The following officers were previously elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Morgan Bunch; Vice Chairman—Nate Green; Secretary—Jewell Roland; Arranging Committee—Aubrey Barfield; Memorial Committee—Bill Hogan and Karen Willard.

RECESS

The singing continued with Wayne Jones leading 156. Leaders: Steve Helwig 39, 183; Nancy Hogan 84, 319; B.M. Smith 559, 563; Shannan Guinn 146, 464; Hubert Nall 168, 186; Martha Creel 87, 463; Frank Strickland 108b, 571.

RECESS

Nancy Hogan led 148 to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Johnny Lee 62, 46; Eva Padgett 242; Adrian Nall 393t, 235; Nate Green and Norma Green 344, 488t; Bill Hogan 98, 494; Daphene Causey 500; Bill Aplin 567, 528b. Morgan Bunch led 369, and Russ Scholz offered grace before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was brought to order by Aubrey Barfield leading 96. Leaders: Shannan Guinn 72; Marvin Reeves 35, 358; Chrissy Fullerton 478, 465 (for Wilburn Ellison); Sue Bunch 285t, 268b; Ken Sundberg 297, 412; Mary Whitehurst 171, 86; Sharon DuPriest 229, 189; Karen Willard 548, 549 (for Bill Aplin); Russ Scholz 196, 513t; Geraldine Sharpton 553, 340.

RECESS

The class was brought back together by Mary Whitehurst leading 54t. Leaders; Tommie Spurlock 217; Voncille Nall 507t; Lloyd Jones 45t; Sara Kahre 203; Barbara Jones 282; Alice Bejnar 109; Ann Barnett 100; Loretta Jones 380t; Tim Lanham 82; Stanley Smith 470; Wayne Jones 444t.

Announcements were made. The officers led 527 as the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer offered by Aubrey Barfield.

Sunday, December 5

The Sunday session of the Florida State Convention was called to order by Morgan Bunch leading 293b and 36b. The opening prayer was offered by Tim Jones.

Leaders: Nate Green 61; Wayne Jones 187; Jewell Rowland 358; Victoria Aplin 421; Aubrey Barfield 140; Stanley Smith 433; Voncile Nall 450; Tim Jones 514; Nancy Van Den Akker 573; Joe Nall 186; Alice Sundberg 518; Leland Phillips 30t; Barbara Jones 558; Sarah Kahre 277; Reba Windom 559; Ann Barnett 155; Steve Helwig 210.

RECESS

Reba Windham led 72 to bring the class to order. Leaders: Nancy Hogan 49t.

Karen Willard and Bill Hogan conducted the memorial lesson. The names of sick and shut-ins were read by Karen Willard. She said it was a time to stop and remember our friends and loved ones, who could not join us today. There are many songs in our book that tell us of hope for our lives here on earth, and hope for a home in heaven when our journey in this life is complete. Karen led 263.

Bill Hogan then read the names of the deceased. He spoke, and led 555 in memory of the deceased. The session was closed in prayer offered by Johnny Lee.

The singing continued with Alice Bejnar leading 88t. Leaders: B.M. Smith 515; Shannon Guinn 288; Hubert Nall 344; Daphene Causey 434; Geraldine Sharpton 508; Sharon DuPriest 137; Sue Bunch 543; Ken Sundberg 36t; Crissy Fullerton 132; Karen Willard 549 (for Bill Aplin). The class sang 369, and Stanley Smith offered the blessing for the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Aubrey Barfield leading 96. Leaders: Joe Nall 345t; Mary Whitehurst 577; Karen Willard 386; Adrian Nall 393t; Eva Padgett 536; Johnny Lee 95b; Norma Green and Nate Green 410; Bill Hogan 464; Linda Westbrook 465; Janet King 148; Chip Westbrook 336b; Juanita Hill 405; Tommie Spurlock 574; Shannan Guinn 422b (for Ernest Cockcroft); Stanley Smith 112 (for Margaret); Karen Willard 91; Steve Helwig 458; B.M. Smith and Margie Smith 511b, 222; Johnny Lee 511t; Geraldine Sharpton 364; Hubert Nall 442t; Bill Hogan and Nancy Hogan 145t; Morgan Bunch and Sue Bunch 144; Stanley Smith 488b (for John Brownell).

The officers were appointed, and those who served this year were recognized for their contribution to help make this singing a success. Next year’s officers are as follows: Chairman—Nate Green; 1st Vice Chairman—Wayne Jones; 2nd Vice Chairman—Mary Whitehurst. Announcements were made. Tommie Spurlock led 503. The officers led 62 as the closing song. Johnny Lee offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Morgan Bunch; Vice Chairman—Nate Green; Secretary—Jewell Roland