Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 6th annual Shaker Meetinghouse and Francis Bliss Birthday Singing was held on Saturday before the first Sunday in June in the Meetinghouse at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester, Maine. Barb Ames welcomed everyone to the afternoon session and brought the class to order leading 68b. Bill Holt offered the opening prayer. Brother Arnold Hadd introduced the Shaker anthem “Millennial Praise” and Meg Haskell and Barb Ames led the class in singing it.

The following officers were appointed to serve: Chairperson—Barb Ames; Treasurer—Corrone Bryant; Arranging Committee/Secretary—Edith Berger and Pleasance Crawford.

Leaders: Robert Stoddard 32t; Bobbie Goodell 34b; Corrone Bryant 524; Pat Callahan 378t; Francis Bliss 66; Philippa Stoddard 107; Peter Golden 145t; Mary Jo Shafer 72b; Bill Holt 203; Elizabeth Stoddard 131t; Richard Schmeidler 475; Andal Sundaramurthy 163t; Chuck Crawford 87; Celia Devine 362; David Bliss 162; Edith Berger 89; Pleasance Crawford 327 (requested by Dorothy Connor); Barb Ames 169; Corrone Bryant 147t.

RECESS

Chris Holley called the class to order by leading 105. Leaders: Robert Stoddard 129; Bobbie Goodell 566 (for Bess Honaker); Corrone Bryant and Barb Ames 34b (with special verse for Francis Bliss’s 94th birthday); Pat Callahan 184; Francis Bliss 178; Philippa Stoddard 462; Peter Golden 39b; Mary Jo Shafer 452; Bill Holt 200; Elizabeth Stoddard 197; Richard Schmeidler 155; Andal Sundaramurthy 444; Chuck Crawford 546; Celia Devine 352; David Bliss 86; Pleasance Crawford 148 (requested by Jonathan Mitschele); Edith Berger 47b (requested by Philip Devine); Chris Holley 123b; Barb Ames 371; Robert Stoddard 230; Bobbie Goodell 358; Corrone Bryant 28b; Pat Callahan 497; Francis Bliss 63; Philippa Stoddard 269; Peter Golden 480; Mary Jo Shafer 319; Bill Holt 376; Elizabeth Stoddard 124; Richard Schmeidler 120; Andal Sundaramurthy 69t; Chuck Crawford 77b; Celia Devine 326; David Bliss 209.

Announcements were made. Chris Holley reported that expenses had been met. Barb Ames thanked all for being present, the Sabbathday Lake Shaker community for their hospitality, many for their help, and all who provided food for the evening meal. The class, 37 (t? b?) of whom had registered, came from Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Ontario, Canada. Nineteen leaders led 58 songs.

Meg Haskell and Barb Ames led the Shaker song “We Will All Go Home with You”. Barb Ames led 347 as the closing song. Pat Callahan offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed to the Dining Room in the Dwelling House, where Sister Frances led a silent grace before the evening meal.

SUPPER

Following supper, those who were able to stay reconvened for an evening session in the rotunda of the 1893 State of Maine Building on the grounds of the nearby Poland Springs Resort. The class sang 198 (request from John Engle); Robert Stoddard 297; Pleasance Crawford 280; Pat Callahan 99; Karen Keller 29t; Joan Frankel 284; Robert Stoddard 313b; Elizabeth Stoddard 341; Chris Holley 322; Peter Golden 323t; John Engle 503; Chuck Crawford 540; Dorothy Connor 504; Joan Frankel 501; Robert Stoddard 569b; Barb Ames 539; Andal Sundaramurthy 173; Karen Keller 430; Pat Callahan 367; Bobbie Goodell 365; Robert Stoddard 299; Elizabeth Stoddard 330t; Peter Golden 176b; Philippa Stoddard 176t; Richard Schmeidler 177; Mary Jo Shafer 378b; Joan Frankel 168; Andal Sundaramurthy 142; Elizabeth Stoddard 500; Robert Stoddard 564; Pleasance Crawford 565; Richard Schmeidler 474; Andal Sundaramurthy 521. After singing 62, the class was dismissed.

Chairperson—Barb Ames; Secretary—Pleasance Crawford