Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, November 30

The 46th session of the Florida State Sacred Harp Singing Convention was called to order by Mary Whitehurst leading 49t. The opening prayer was offered by Aubrey Barfield.

The following officers were previously elected to serve: Chairman—Mary Whitehurst; Vice Chairman—Aubrey Barfield; 2nd Vice Chairman—Bill Hogan; Secretary—Victoria Aplin.

Leaders: Mary Whitehurst 171; Aubrey Barfield 186, 206; Bill Hogan 172, 404; Victoria Aplin 76b; Robert Handel 210, 514; Mary Amelia Taylor 203, 380t; Mike Jones 395b, 435; Chris Noren 563, 96. The Memorial Committee was appointed as follows: Sue Bunch and Nicole Bowman.

RECESS

Bill Hogan led 87 to bring the class back to order. Leaders; Tommie Spurlock 156; Tarik Wareh 524; Denise Richardson 145t; Gary Smith 99; Wynette Smith 355; Paul White 235; Susan Goldman 59; Gary Padgett 278t; Cora Wareh 32t; Gaston White 515; Nicole Bowman 142; Tim Taylor 38t.

RECESS

Singing continued with Crissy Fullerton leading 478. Leaders; Mary Whitehurst 591 (in memory John Etheridge and in honor of her dad); Robert Chambless 72; Brenda Chafin 86 (for her dad); Bill Aplin 567; Jewell Rowland and Kathy Folsom 143, 127; Ryan Bowman 446t; Sarah Kahre 293t. Mary Whitehurst led 369, and Gaston White offered the blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Beverly Dayton leading 486. Leaders; Marvin Reeves 49b; Reba Windom 505; Jackson Fleder 98; Pattie Wareh 270; Nate Green and Norma Green 336t; Hubert Nall 95b; Nancy Hogan 84; Russ Schulz 504t; Daphene Causey 414; B.M. Smith 559; Sharon DuPriest 229; Sue Bunch 269; Tor Bejnar 38b; Judy Chambless 512.

RECESS

The class was brought back to order by Russ Scholz leading 585. Leaders; Wayne Jones 187; Sarah Beasley 463; Morgan Bunch 543; Shannan McKenzie 240; Linda Hellerich 508; Alabama singers 507b (in memory of Shelbie Sheppard).

Announcements were made. The class sang 81. The closing prayer was offered by Tommie Spurlock.

Sunday, December 1

The Sunday session of the Florida State Sacred Harp Singing Convention was called to order by Mary Whitehurst leading 70t. The opening prayer was offered by Wayne Jones.

Leaders: Mary Whitehurst 63; Aubrey Barfield 497, 365; Bill Hogan 200; Victoria Aplin 421; Joe Nall 217; Brenda Chafin 225t; Ryan Bowman 239; Alice Bejnar 55; Gary Smith 484; Wayne Jones 464; Sarah Beasley 572; Chris Noren 328; Ann Barnett 100; Gaston White 99.

RECESS

Singing continued with Kathy Folsom leading 358. Leaders: Tim Jones 120; Nicole Bowman 211; Linda Hellerich and Henry Shuman 96.

At this time a memorial session was held. Nicole Bowman read a poem, and led 72 in honor of the sick and shut-ins. Sue Bunch spoke, and read the list of names of the deceased. She led 285t in their memory. The memorial service was closed with prayer offered by Bill Hogan.

Leaders: Hubert Nall 287; Cora Lynn Wareh 333; Ernest Cockcroft 553; Nancy Hogan 380b; Faiz Wareh 155; Nate Green and Norma Green 491, 436b; B.M. Smith 563; Wynette Smith 111b; Jackson Fleder 450; Pattie Wareh 47t; Tor Bejnar 411; Gary Padgett 192; Shannan McKenzie 220; Tarik Wareh 271b. Mary Whitehurst led 369, and Russ Scholz asked a blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The class sang 96 to begin the afternoon session. Leaders: Mary Whitehurst 571; Bill Aplin and Victoria Aplin 584, 30b; Morgan Bunch 383; Ann Gray 216; Russ Scholz 293t; Jewell Rowland 341; Evie Eddins 324; Tommie Spurlock 183; Danna Eddins and Emily Eddins 49t; Ken Sundberg 489; Chip Westbrook 513t; Ken Kelley 163t; Sue Bunch 516; Kevin Eddins 229; Kathy Folsom 218; Margie Smith and B.M. Smith 32t; Tarik Wareh and family 461; Carol Duval, Mary Kennedy, and Bill Hogan 463; Nancy Hogan and Bill Hogan 520; Tommie Spurlock 264b; Shannan McKenzie 222; Nate Green and Norma Green 380t (in memory of Bill Green and family); Jackson Fleder 27; The Eddins family 38t.

Tommie Spurlock gave the report on the finances. The officers who served this year were recognized for their contribution to help make this singing a success. Next year’s officers are as follows: Chairman—Aubrey Barfield; 1st Vice Chairman—Bill Hogan; 2nd Vice Chairman—B.M. Smith.

Announcements were made. All the officers led 527 as the closing song. Bill Hogan offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Mary Whitehurst; Vice Chairman—Aubrey Barfield; 2nd Vice Chairman—Bill Hogan; Secretary—Victoria Aplin