Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, December 6

The 5th annual Georgia State Christian Harmony Convention was held at Hardeman Primitive Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia, on the first Sunday and Saturday before in December. The class was called to order by Billy Hollingsworth leading 21. The opening prayer was offered by Henry Johnson.

Leaders: John Plunkett 34: Judy Mincey 50; Erin Johnson-Hill 49; Michael Walker 32b; Danny Creel 308; Angie Lawless 248; John Hollingsworth 51; Darrell Swarens 341; Ann Jett 170; Wanda Capps 264; Karen Clark 189; Eli Hinton 59t; Cindy Tanner 168b; Ken Tate 166; Henry Johnson 338t; Mako Cook 490; Tim Cook 446; Mary Ellen Schrock 179; Leslie Booher 546b.

RECESS

Billy Hollingsworth called the class back together by leading 131. A short business session was held. The current officers were announced and committees appointed. The officers for this convention were as follows: President—Billy Hollingsworth; Vice President—John Plunkett; Secretary—Judy Mincey; Treasurer—Shannon Primm. The appointed committees were as follows: Locating Committee—John Plunkett; Arranging Committee—Chris Wilhelm and Helen Bryson; Memorial Committee—John Hollingsworth and Michael Walker; Resolutions Committee—Danny Creel and Shannon Primm.

Leaders: Eddie Mash 300; Helen Bryson 67b; Malinda Snow 541; David Smead 286; Matt Hinton 285; Chris Coughlin 262; Ed Paton-Williams 121t; Jennifer McDaniel 157; Robert Kelley 86b; Michael Spencer 465t; Andy Morse 219; Sandra Wilkinson 142; Chris Wilhelm 126; Debora Grosse 369; Jerusha Wheeler 304. Eddie Mash offered grace before the bountiful meal.

LUNCH

John Plunkett brought the class to order leading 527. Leaders: Judy Mincey 133; Erin Johnson-Hill and Ed Paton-Williams 372; Michael Walker 276; Billy Hollingsworth 74; Danny Creel 326; Angie Lawless 135; John Hollingsworth 136; Darrell Swarens 91; Ann Jett, Cindy Tanner, and Wanda Capps 43; Karen Clark 322; Cindy Tanner 180; Ken Tate 544; Henry Johnson 256t; Mako Cook 214; Tim Cook 456t; Mary Ellen Schrock 258; Leslie Booher 255; Eddie Mash 316; Shannon Primm 15.

RECESS

Billy Hollingsworth led 203 to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Helen Bryson 137; Malinda Snow 73b; David Smead 97; Matt Hinton 346; Chris Coughlin 541; Ed Paton-Williams 411; Jennifer McDaniel 486t; Robert Kelley 438; Michael Spencer 334; Sandra Wilkinson 130b; Chris Wilhelm 105t; Billy Hollingsworth 225t.

After brief announcements, Henry Johnson offered the benediction.

Sunday, December 7

The Sunday session of the Georgia State Christian Harmony Convention was called to order by John Plunkett leading 65. Michael Walker offered an opening prayer.

Leaders: Billy Hollingsworth 347; Judy Mincey 280; Michael Walker 103; Danny Creel 64; John Hollingsworth 93; Darrell Swarens 117; Ann Jett 149; Wanda Capps 85; Cindy Tanner 19; Ken Tate 339; Mary Ellen Schrock 184; Leslie Booher 421b; Tina Becker 136; Ann Strange 26b; Jane Spencer 345; Sandra Wilkinson 178; Robert Kelley 354; Mike Spencer 410b; Lisa Bennett 332.

RECESS

Billy Hollingsworth recalled the class by leading 428. Leaders; Lauren Bock 18; Jesse P. Karlsberg 131 (by request of Mary Ellen Doster); David Smead 145b; Hayden Arp 4; Helen Bryson 303; Shannon Primm 282; Chris Wilhelm 462t; John Plunkett 261b; Billy Hollingsworth 441; Judy Mincey 16; Michael Walker 318; Danny Creel 54; John Hollingsworth 380; Darrell Swarens 238 (in memory of Harrison Creel); Ann Jett 82b; Wanda Capps 172; Cindy Tanner 281b. Michael Walker offered a blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Billy Hollingsworth leading 230b. Leaders: Ken Tate 176; Mary Ellen Schrock 51; Leslie Booher 138; Jane Spenser 38; Faith Bailey 346; Sandra Wilkinson 30b; Robert Kelley 236t; Michael Spencer 401b; Hayden Arp 168b: Gary Ellison 87; Lauren Bock and Jesse P. Karlsberg 372.

John Hollingsworth and Michael Walker conducted the memorial lesson. John led 459t in memory of Raymond Hamrick, and the following deceased: Hugh Bill McGuire—Mississippi; Danny Arms and Sharon Kellam—North Carolina; David Rust—Indiana; and Odis Abbott. On the list of sick and shut-ins were Ruth Wyers, Frances Carnell, Martha Sue Thompson, Kathleen Robbins, Elsie Moon, Velton Chafin, Johnie Chafin, Jack Paulk, and Allison Mitchell Zunklei.

The President called for the committee reports. The Locating Committee reported that Hardeman Primitive Baptist Church had volunteered to host the convention in 2015. This kind gesture was adopted by the convention. John Plunkett called for others to make suggestions for the future. The Treasurer’s report was read by Shannon Primm, and approved by the convention.

The Resolutions Committee submitted the following: Our resolve is to be thankful, first, to God, who provides salvation through his son, Jesus Christ. We are thankful to those, ancient and current, who write the songs we love to sing. We thank those who came from nearby and great distance to join their voices in praise to God. We thank those who worked to provide a quality, comfortable venue in which to sing. We thank Hardeman Primitive Baptist Church for opening their doors to allow us to sing for two days. We thank those who provided fine food for all who came, especially Elsie Hollingsworth and Jane McDaniel. Lastly, we resolve to continue to lift our praise to God through this music and make strong efforts to join again in 2015 for the sixth annual Georgia State Christian Harmony Convention. Respectfully submitted, Danny Creel and Shannon Primm, Resolutions Committee. This resolution was accepted by the convention. The business session was closed.

Leaders: Jesse P. Karlsberg 432b; Helen Bryson 179; Shannon Primm 123; Chris Wilhelm 455b; Helen Bryson 137; Danny Creel, Ken Tate, Ann Jett, and Wanda Capps 76b; Mary Ellen Schrock 50; Darrell Swarens 81t; Michael Walker 275; Jane Spencer, Chris Wilhelm, and Robert Kelley 548; Leslie Booher and Jerusha Wheeler 507t.

After announcements, Billy Hollingsworth led 507b as the closing song.

Michael Walker dismissed the class with prayer.

President—Billy Hollingsworth; Vice President—John Plunkett; Secretary—Judy Mincey