Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual Sacred Harp singing at Edwardsville Baptist Church, Edwardsville, Alabama, was held on the first Sunday in April. Cecil Roberts called the class to order leading 59. The morning prayer was offered by Ed Thacker. Cecil Roberts led 33b.

Leaders: Henry Johnson 288, 55; B.M. Smith 138t, 111b.

A business session was held with the following officers retained or appointed to serve: Chairman—Cecil Roberts; Vice Chairman—Henry Johnson; Secretary—Donna Bell; Arranging Officer—Judy Chambless.

Leaders: Judy Chambless 565, 82t; Margie Smith 101t, 317; Ed Thacker 498, 409; Virginia Futral 569b, 145b; Robert Chambless 495, 225t; Tony Hammock 72b, 314; Karen Rollins 389, 35; Rene Greene 151, 192.

RECESS

Ed Thacker brought the class back to order by leading 421. Leaders: Jack Nelson 157, 560; Charlene Wallace 155, 171; Oscar McGuire 441, 344; Wendy Futral 340, 339; Robby Rivers and Hugh McGraw 49b, 146; Virginia Dyer 63, 40; Margaret Thacker 31b, 68b; Hayden Arp 275b, 112; Winfred Kerr 282, 89.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Karen Rollins. She spoke of Sacred Harp singers as a community. She likened us to a river and stated that it is during the memorial lesson when the river is the narrowest. Karen spoke about Philippians 3:20, which mentions that we are citizens of heaven and we are eagerly awaiting for Jesus to return. Heaven is our destination. The memorial lesson makes us aware that the river is narrowing. Karen led 123t.

The following deceased were remembered: Jeff Sheppard, Shelbie Sheppard, Mike Nunn, Carlene Griffin, Teenie Moody, Bud Oliver, Tat Bailey, Lessie Reed, Lou Cotney, Mary Lou Reynolds, D.C. Williams, Eula Driggers, and Billy Driggers. The sick and shut-ins honored were Evelyn Harris, S.T. Reed, Raymond Hamrick, Nellie Mae White, Sammie Oliver, Hobert Ivey, Mona Nelson, Myrline Redmon, Nell Estees, Eugene Forbes, Audress Gurley, Floy Wilder, Sarah Beasley, George Garner, and Lucy Garner. Judy Chambless closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Leaders: Fallon Cook 61, 142; Ann Simpson 452, 354b; Reba Windom 36b, 176b (in memory of Jeff and Shelbie Sheppard); Buell Cobb 476, 473; Ruth Daniel 47t (for Evelyn Harris), 378t. Rev. Jeff Layton, pastor of the church, blessed the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session of singing began with Cecil Roberts leading 48t. Leaders: Henry Johnson 49t; Rene Greene 479; Margaret Thacker 480; Robert Chambless 163b; William Futral and Wendy Futral 341; Wendy Futral and Robby Anderson 373; Ed Thacker 500; Oscar McGuire 229; Karen Rollins 274t (in memory of her grandpa, Frank Rogers); Reba Windom 460; Hayden Arp 543, 269; Tony Hammock 390; Jack Nelson 120; Glenda Collins and Bert Collins 335; Buell Cobb 177; Robby Rivers and Oscar McGuire 212; Ann Simpson 445.

Following announcements, Cecil Roberts and Henry Johnson led 521 as the closing song. Ed Thacker offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Cecil Roberts; Vice Chairman—Henry Johnson; Secretary—Donna Bell