Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 7th Thanksgiving Singing Day 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. Mary Welch offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Edwin Macadam 472; Nick Hall 73b; Teresa Maguire 73t; Steve Welch 38t; Jan Lawrence 160b; Rachel Jordan 77b; Michael Walker 495; Toby Goss 52t; Rebecca Over 306; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 49t; Sofi Mogensen 31t; Sue Lord 105; Barry Parsons 421; Sue Lanfear 178.

RECESS

Steve Brett brought the class back together leading 109. Leaders: Victoria Timberlake 335; Sheila Girling Macadam 157; Teresa Maguire 445; Steve Welch 147b; Nick Hall 231; Edwin Macadam 260; Rachel Jordan 82t; Jan Lawrence 152; Rebecca Over 316; Toby Goss 86; Michael Walker 440.

Revd David Chantler conducted a combined memorial and sick and housebound lesson. Drawing on the vivid images of the atrocities committed in Paris only eight days previously, he asked us to consider the consequences of differences of opinion based on the premise “I am right and you are wrong”. As we offered each other the sign of peace, we remembered not only those killed in Paris, but also the following who have left us during the past year: Margaret Owen-Eynsham; Flo Charles-Port Talbot; June Howieson-Hove; John Marshall, Mike Spittal, Bill Kerridge, and Rina Rogers-London; Oliver Kindig-Stokes-Pennsylvania; C.W. Garner and George Garner-Georgia; Mark Kingston-Buckinghamshire; Andy Lee-Bracknell; Ernest Brook-Yorkshire; Packie Manus Byrne-Donegal; Eileen Wilson-Nailsea; and George Reed-Bedford.

David asked us to hold in our thoughts those still fighting for their lives in Paris and the following sick and housebound especially dear to us: Jackie Saunders, Brian Mitchell, Phoebe Davidson, Martin Bloom, Josie Bloom, Kerry Bloom, Ann Wiggins, Chris Swayne, Paula Mogensen, Sine Mikkelsen, Kath Mountstephen, Samantha Cole, Billie Walker, and Jo Brendon. Together with David, Sheila Girling Macadam led 524, after which David closed the memorial with prayer.

Leaders: Barry Parsons 340; Kate Kirwan 436; Sofi Mogensen 278t; Sue Lord 111b; Sue Lanfear 299; Steve Brett 488; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 146; Victoria Timberlake 339; Steve Welch 50b; Rachel Jordan 318; Teresa Maguire 111t; Nick Hall 454. David Chantler offered the words of thanks for the midday meal prepared by his daughter, Elspeth Hannen.

LUNCH

The afternoon session commenced with Steve Brett leading 426t. Leaders: Michael Walker 441; Steve Fletcher 196; Barry Parsons 380; Sheila Girling Macadam 564; Toby Goss 300; Kate Kirwan 302; Edwin Macadam 550; Rebecca Over 547; Sue Lord 122; Sofi Mogensen 481; Nick Hall 476; Jan Lawrence 169; Rachel Jordan 193; Victoria Timberlake 312b; Steve Fletcher 313b; Sue Lanfear 159; Steve Brett 499; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 117; Teresa Maquire 106; Steve Welch 489; Michael Walker 431; Sue Lord 381; Kate Kirwan 377.

RECESS

The class was reconvened for the final session with Rebecca Over leading 461 (for the Hollingsworth family). Leaders: Toby Goss 228; Barry Parsons 232; Jan Lawrence 180; Edwin Macadam 480; Victoria Timberlake 275t; Steve Fletcher 47b; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 274t; Sheila Girling Macadam 562; Sofi Mogensen 65; Kate Kirwan 385b; Sue Lanfear 361; Michael Walker 492; Rachel Jordan 192; Barry Parsons 187; Steve Fletcher 163b; Steve Brett 97; Rebecca Over 500; Steve Welch 569t; Sue Lord 282; Nick Hall 474; Kate Kirwan 521.

Thanks were given to all those who had helped in any way to make the day’s singing a success. 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 as the closing song. Michael Walker offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

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