Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 97th session of the annual Labor Day Sacred Harp Singing was held at Shoal Creek Church, located in Talladega National Forest, Cleburne County, Alabama. The class was called to order by Cecil Roberts leading 56t. He welcomed the class and visitors, and then led 89. Jack Nelson offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Virginia Dyer 63, 314; Judy Caudle 101t (in memory of B.M. Smith), 222; Rene Greene 176b, 436; Isaac Green 340, 426b; Frances Jones 45t, 358; David Smead 332, 345b; David Brodeur 108t, 117; Winfred Kerr 36b, 318; Hayden Arp 329 (by request); Anna Hinton 203, 455; Pam Nunn 155 (for Charlene Wallace), 186 (in memory of Jeff Sheppard); Chance Cook 192; Eli Hinton 99; Tony Hammock 196, 267; Nancy Novotny 126, 396; Rebecca Over 208, 414; Cornelia Van den Doel 274t, 34b; Karen Rollins 327, 345t; Robert Chambless 72b; Daniel Williams 425, 43; Lisa Bennett 573, 139; Billy See and Vickie See 178, 480; Eric Tweedy 365.

Joe Jones addressed the class, and gave a short history of Shoal Creek Church. He said that the Labor Day Sacred Harp Singing was the only annually scheduled event held at the old church, but there were many weddings, family reunions, and other events held each year. Today, Les Jones, President of the Shoal Creek Preservation Society, spoke to the singers and thanked them for their support. The small donations made yearly by the singers helped make it possible for the Society to purchase and install a historic marker in the churchyard. He read a recent article published in the Anniston Star, and unveiled the marker. He made some additional remarks, and then led the observers in reciting the Lord’s Prayer.

RECESS

Fallon Cook led 47b to bring the class together. Leaders: Hayden Arp 342, 140; Erica Hinton 271t, 432; Andy Ditzler 322, 389; Jack Nelson 228, 266; Jeannette DePoy 201 (for Scott’s birthday). Robert Chambless asked a blessing at the lunch table.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Virginia Dyer leading 350. Leaders: Samuel Williams 84, 148; Judy Mincey 474, 220; Reba Windom 299 (for Betty Shepherd); Chris Tweedy 100, 156; Gary Davis 335, 35; Shane Brown 66, 49b; Oscar McGuire 485; Fallon Cook 383, 37b (for Virginia), 168; Matt Hinton 30t, 70t; Richard DeLong 214; Richard DeLong, Rene Greene, and Isaac Green 541; Glenda Collins and Bert Collins 40, 282; Sherrell Cleino 127, 503; Ann Simpson 388, 445; Nancy Novotny, Cornelia Van den Doel, Shane Brown, and Rebecca Over 176t; Fallon Cook, Hayden Arp, and Isaac Green 269.

Announcements were made. Cecil Roberts led 46 as the closing song. Daniel Williams offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Cecil Roberts; Vice Chairman—Virginia Dyer; Secretary—Judy Caudle