Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 8th 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, and offering the opening prayer.

Leaders: Werner Ullah 49t; Elijah Petzold 68b; Rachel Jordan 63; Rebecca Over 186; Jan Lawrence 535; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 47t; Ellyn Ross 45t; Sofi Mogensen 52t; Edwin Macadam 287; Nick Hall 200; Steve Welch 147b; Victoria Timberlake 48t; Aldo Ceresa 112; Toby Goss 300; Ella Cumber 318; Matthew Parkinson 225t.

The following officers and committee members were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Sheila Girling Macadam; Vice Chairman and Treasurer—Edwin Macadam; Secretaries—Sofi Mogensen and Rebecca Over; Arranging Committee—Nick Hall and Werner Ullah; Chaplains—Elijah Petzold and Victoria Timberlake.

RECESS

The class resumed singing with Leilai Immel leading 144. Leaders: Werner Ullah 37b; Tracy McElligott and Maxine Madderson 34b; Judith Silver 267; Sheila Girling Macadam 298; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 117; Nick Hall 452; Edwin Macadam 192.

Elijah Petzold conducted a combined memorial and sick and housebound lesson, with a story from the Icelandic Sagas. He led 34t for the following sick and housebound: Jackie Saunders, Rose Green, Geoffrey Rendle, Phoebe Davidson, Helena Beddoe, Paula Mogensen, Nigel Cumber, and Vonnie Chantler.

Elijah led 565 in memory of the following deceased: Gillian Woodwood, Isabel Smith, Cath Itzcovitz and Anthony Bentley—London; Earlis McGraw, Geneva Prichard, Johnny Lee, Margaret Wallace, and B.M. Smith—Georgia, USA; Hester Edwards, Toney Smith, Lavoy Smith, and Gary Smith—Alabama, USA; Janelle Davis—Illinois, USA; Bob King and Fred Bennett—Eynsham; Myfanwy Thomas—Wales; Mrs. Evans—Guildford; Malcolm Walker—High Wycombe; Ross Chernin and Bruce Robinson—Norwich; Mary Payne—Wisbech; and Ruth Steggles—Nottingham. The memorial was closed.

Leaders: Aldo Ceresa 512; Rachel Jordan 564; Toby Goss 47b; Sofi Mogensen 65; Matthew Parkinson 67; Rebecca Over 475 (in memory of B.M. Smith); Steve Welch 489; Jan Lawrence 496; Leilai Immel 153; Ella Cumber 189; Ellyn Ross 276; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 84; Toby Goss 497; Sofi Mogensen 148; Rebecca Over 306 (for Michael Walker); Jan Lawrence 339. Victoria Timberlake offered thanks for the midday meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session commenced with Aldo Ceresa leading 106. Leaders: Elijah Petzold 217; Rachel Wemyss 224; Sue Lanfear 40; Rachel Jordan 436; Sheila Girling Macadam 377; Victoria Timberlake 275t; Steve Welch 467; Nick Hall 212; Edwin Macadam 534; Ellyn Ross 268; Leilai Immel 345b; Matthew Parkinson 100; Ella Cumber 131b; Werner Ullah 312b; Toby Goss 178; Rebecca Over 309; Aldo Ceresa 506; Rachel Jordan 353; Leilai Immel 33b; Rachel Wemyss 296; Sue Lanfear 299; Nick Hall 231; Victoria Timberlake 102; Werner Ullah 278t; Sheila Girling Macadam 168; Elijah Petzold 77t; Sofi Mogensen 440.

RECESS

The class reconvened for the final session with Rachel Jordan leading 350. Leaders: Steve Welch 569t; Edwin Macadam 444; Matthew Parkinson 332; Nick Hall 474; Rebecca Over 461; Leilai Immel 175; Rachel Wemyss 348b; Sue Lanfear 334; Teresa Maguire 285t; Elijah Petzold 297; Werner Ullah 317; Steve Welch 473; Edwin Macadam 466; Rachel Jordan 441; Sheila Girling Macadam 472; Aldo Ceresa 315.

Thanks were given to all those who had helped in any way to make the day’s singing a success. Announcements were made. The Secretary reported twenty-four leaders had led eighty-nine songs. 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. Edwin Macadam offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Sheila Girling Macadam; Vice Chairman—Edwin Macadam; Secretaries—Sofi Mogensen and Rebecca Over