Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, May 21

The 5th annual John Newton Merritt Memorial Singing Convention was called to order by Henry McGuire leading 33t. Elder Robert Vaughn offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Henry McGuire 142; Mark Davis 75, 112; Carole Watts 470, 475; Robert Vaughn 392 (CB), 173 (CB); Nathan Stewart 396, 392; Brian Harris 56b, 299; Lisa Geist 273, 546; Mike Hinton 495, 480; Mary Blake Thompson 348b, 85; Shelby Castillo and Lisa Geist 186, 203; Hugh McGuire 487t (WB), 196.

RECESS

Drew McGuire called the class back together leading 82t and 16 (CH). Leaders: Charity Vaughn 108b (CB), 212 (CB); Peggy Ray 507b (CB), 573 (CB); Sonya Kirkham 99, 54 (CB); Nancy Van Den Akker 77b, 532; Regina Derstine and Todd Derstine 95, 124; Amber Davis 345t, 391; Will McGuire 317b (WB), 142 (CH); Henry McGuire 492 (WB).

LUNCH

Nathan Stewart called the class back together leading 96 (CB). Leaders: Julie Hereen 32t, 34b; Robert Vaughn 441b (WB), 543t (WB); Brian Harris 138t, 448t; Lisa Geist 472, 527; Mike Hinton 477, 456; Mary Blake Thompson 193, 130b (CH); Shelby Castillo and Lisa Geist 434, 411; Hugh McGuire 262 (?), 138 (CH); Drew McGuire 261t (CH), 204; Charity Vaughn 422b (CB), 270 (CB); Peggy Ray 569b, 143.

RECESS

Will McGuire called the class back together leading 486 (WB). Leaders: Sonya Kirkham 59t (CH), 255 (CH); Nancy Van Den Akker 182, 120; Regina Derstine and Todd Derstine 154, 410t; Amber Davis 192, 215; Julie Hereen 117 (CH), 417; Nathan Stewart 181, 304; Mark Davis 131 (CH), 155 (CH); Robert Vaughn 315 (CB); Henry McGuire 522 (CB); Henry McGuire, Mark Davis, and Hugh McGuire led The Drone as the closing song. Drew McGuire dismissed the class with prayer.

Sunday, May 22

The Sunday session of the John Newton Merritt Memorial Singing met at the Old Courthouse Museum in Vicksburg. The class was called to order by Henry McGuire leading 199 (CB) and 78 (CB). The opening prayer was offered by Drew McGuire.

Leaders: Mark Davis 258 (CH), 307 (CH); Carole Watts 40 (CB) 45t; Warren Steel 26, 392; Nathan Stewart 222, 189; Brian Harris 144, 102; Lisa Geist 269, 528; Mike Hinton 268, 340; Mary Blake Thompson 365, 29t; Shelby Castillo and Drew McGuire 430, 215.

RECESS

Drew McGuire, Will McGuire, and Henry McGuire called the class to order leading 511 (WB); Leaders: Hugh McGuire 497 (CB), 521 (CB); Peggy Ray 67 (CB), 540 (CB); Sonya Kirkham 330t (CB), 268t (CB); John Van Horn 133 (CH), 63t (CH); Andy Davis 400, 196; Nancy Van Den Akker 287, 549; Regina Derstine and Todd Derstine 392 (CB), 408 (CB); Amber Davis 505 (CB), 137 (CB); Julie Hereen 148 (CB), 38t (CB).

Charity Vaughn and Carole Watts conducted the memorial lesson. Charity spoke on behalf of the sick and shut-ins. She read the following list of names and led 66 in their behalf: Janelle Davis, Earlis McGraw, Ozella Blackmon, Willodean Barton, Glenn Keeton, Kermit Adams, Steve Adams, Susan Harcrow, Marion Grant, Ruth Redmon, Darlene Reynolds, and Alice McGuire.

Carole spoke on behalf of the deceased and read the following names: George Easley, Charles Porter, and Henry Ray Reynolds—Mississippi; Sandra Spradlin and Robert DuPree—Alabama; Oliver Kindig-Stokes—Pennsylvania; Harold Hill—Texas. She led 544 (CB) in their memory.

Leaders: Drew McGuire 56b, 472; Mark Davis 200.

LUNCH

Henry McGuire brought the afternoon session to order leading 543. Leaders: Warren Steel 434; Nathan Stewart 383; Brian Harris 114; Lisa Geist 272; John Van Horn 157; Andy Davis 476; Amber Davis 224; Mike Hinton 318; Julie Hereen 106; Drew McGuire 78; Will McGuire 142 (CH); Nancy Van Den Akker 50b; Regina Derstine 69t; Mark Davis 228; Hugh McGuire 460; Shelby Castillo and Drew McGuire 216; Mary Blake Thompson 163b; Drew McGuire 236; Henry McGuire 85 (CH), 109 (CH); Henry McGuire and Hugh McGuire 442.

Announcements were made. Henry McGuire, Mark Davis, and Hugh McGuire led The Drone as the closing song. John Van Horn dismissed the class with prayer.

Chairman—Henry McGuire; Vice Chairman—Mark Davis; Secretary—Carole Watts