Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 5th Thanksgiving Day Singing was held in the Village Hall of Jordans, the Quaker Village, and burial place of William Penn. The class was called to order by Sheila Girling Macadam leading 34b. Rev. David Chantler offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Edwin Macadam 84; Rachel Jordan 52t; Toby Goss 159; Rebecca Over 461; Nick Hall 91; Susannah Gill 45t; Steve Welch 50b; Sofi Mogensen 312b; Michael Walker 28b; Tom Gerber 81t; Erin Johnson-Hill 206; Steve Fletcher 46; Sheila Girling Macadam 362; Edwin Macadam 181; Rachel Jordan 171; Toby Goss 288; Rebecca Over 306; Nick Hall 285t; Susannah Gill 270; Steve Welch 147b; Sofi Mogensen 107; Michael Walker 212.

The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Sheila Girling Macadam; Vice Chairman—Edwin Macadam; Arranging Committee—Steve Fletcher and Nick Hall; Chaplain—Rev. David Chantler; Secretary—Sofi Mogensen.

RECESS

Tom Gerber brought the class back together leading 72b. Leaders: Erin Johnson-Hill 568; Steve Fletcher 53; Edwin Macadam 320; Sheila Girling Macadam 142; Toby Goss 178; Nick Hall 548; Susannah Gill 272; Steve Welch 77b; Sofi Mogensen 278t; Rebecca Over 303.

Vonnie Chantler, assisted by Maggie Eiseman-Renyard, conducted the sick and housebound lesson, reading from the fifth chapter of the Book of John. Vonnie and Rachel Jordan led 491, remembering Carlene Griffin, Elspeth Hannen, Ben Simpson, Mary Ware, Elizabeth Cave, Tamara Dragadze, Maisie Harber, Mary Wray, Sara Ray, Josie Bloom, Carole Satramurthy, Ram Ramamurthy, Dieter Geisler, Sarah Hauser, Patricia Price, Janet Codner, and Maureen Blissett.

Michael Walker delivered the memorial lesson, reflecting on the origins of Thanksgiving and commemorating the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy the previous day. Paraphrasing from the President’s inaugural address, Michael commended the class not to ask what others can do for us, but what we can do for others. He lead 475 in memory of David Comelis—Tamworth; Barbara Clark—Tenterden; Audrey Hewison—Prestwood; Hazel of Eynsham; Josie Hyde and Jeff Sheppard—Alabama, USA; Alice Wadsworth—Wareham; Violet Wortley—Eastbourne; Louise’s Mum of Portugal; Edith Walden—London; Eileen Dee—Rottingdean; Ted Alderson—Tatsfield; Eva Lawrence—Leamington Spa; William Durkin—Massachusetts, USA; and Frank Fowler—Oxford. David Chantler closed the memorial with prayer.

Leaders: Rachel Jordan 82t; Tom Gerber 448t; Erin Johnson-Hill 556; Michael Walker 573; Steve Fletcher 196; Toby Goss 189; Rebecca Over 562; Nick Hall 441; Susannah Gill 442; Sheila Girling Macadam 155. Mary Welch offered thanks for the midday meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session commenced with Rachel Jordan leading 350. Leaders: Steve Welch 200; Sofi Mogensen and John Taylor 228; Michael Walker 528; Edwin Macadam 538; Tom Gerber 445; Erin Johnson-Hill 192; Steve Fletcher 49b; Toby Goss 163b; Rebecca Over 432; Nick Hall 455; Susannah Hill 456; Steve Welch 70t; Sheila Girling Macadam 553; Rachel Jordan 474; Sofi Mogensen 65; Edwin Macadam 444; Michael Walker and Victoria Timberlake 146; Tom Gerber 268; Erin Johnson-Hill 566; Steve Fletcher 315.

RECESS

The class was reconvened for the final session by Toby Goss leading 354t. Leaders: Dilwyn Scott 40; Edwin Macadam 550; Rebecca Over 460; Sheila Girling Macadam 500; Nick Hall 73b; Steve Welch 186; Rachel Jordan 299; Tom Gerber 100; Sofi Mogensen 209; Steve Fletcher 481; Toby Goss 203; Rebecca Over 131b; Nick Hall 569b; Sofi Mogensen 31t; Steve Welch 99; Tom Gerber 448b; Steve Fletcher 378b; Rachel Jordan 373.

Announcements were made. After expenses had been met, the surplus from the day’s donations would again be passed to the Quakers for their use.

Sheila Girling Macadam and Edwin Macadam led 347. David Chantler offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Sheila Girling Macadam; Vice Chairman—Edwin Macadam; Secretary—Sofi Mogensen