Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 11th annual Shaker Meetinghouse and Francis Bliss Memorial Singing was held in the Shaker Meetinghouse at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester, Maine. At 1:00 p.m., Barb Ames welcomed everyone, and brought the class to order leading 49t. Chris Holley offered the opening prayer. Barb Ames and Meg Haskell led the class in singing the Shaker songs “Mother Has Come with Her Beautiful Song” and “I Never Did Believe”. The following officers were appointed to serve: Chairperson—Barb Ames; Treasurers—Sara Sandberg and Eric Sandberg; Arranging Committee/Secretary—Elizabeth Stoddard and Rachel Taylor; Chaplain—Chris Holley.

Leaders: Elizabeth Stoddard 36b, 39t; Chris Holley 39b, 77t; Sara Sandberg 42, 144; Ethan McNerney 148, 56b; Scott Harriman 227, 112; Jesse Vear 285t, 548; Peter Golden 86, 87; Eric Hildebrant 85, 236; Philippa Stoddard 30t, 57; Jonathan Spencer 330t, 245; Carly Goss 228, 274t; Ron Trial 46, 455; Sara Sandberg and Eric Sandberg 68b; Bill Holt 376, 377; Robert Stoddard 129; Robert Stoddard, Richard Sullivan, and Louise Sullivan 89.

RECESS

Peter Golden called the class to order leading 101t. Leaders: Ines Luttgen 402, 565; Chris McKnight 142, 282; Pamela Minor 312b, 472; Eric Sandberg 547, 500; Traci Naylor and Leslie Battistoni 276, 178; Leonard Spencer 254, 218; Rachel Taylor 145b, 344; Jesse Flynn 34t, 454; Sumner Roberts 173, 172; Kathe Pilibosian 77b; Emma Swartz 177, 30b; Elizabeth Stoddard and Bill Holt 523 (by request); Carly Goss 123t; Pamela Minor 66; Ethan McNerney 106; Ines Luttgen 373; Jonathan Spencer 567; Chris Holley 107; Traci Naylor 196; Chris McKnight 183.

Sara Sandberg and Eric Sandberg, Treasurers, reported that expenses had been met. Elizabeth Stoddard, Secretary, reported that twenty-seven leaders sang sixty-six Sacred Harp songs, and three Shaker songs. Barb Ames thanked all for traveling to the singing; the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Community for their hospitality; the officers and others for helping; and the cooks for providing the evening meal.

Barb led the Shaker song “We Will All Go Home with You” and 347 as the class took the parting hand. Chris Holley offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed to the dining room in the Dwelling House, where all joined hands with Brother Arnold for a silent grace before the evening meal.

DINNER

Following the evening meal, some of those attending the afternoon singing reconvened in the Rotunda of the 1893 Maine State Building on the grounds of the Poland Spring Resort.

Leaders: Philippa Stoddard 16 (ShH); Rob Taylor 87 (ShH); Eric Sandberg 265 (ShH); Ethan McNerney 326b (ShH); Rachel Taylor 326t (ShH); Rob Taylor 307 (ShH); Elizabeth Stoddard 287 (ShH); Corlan 286 (ShH); Jesse Flynn 243 (ShH); Sara Sandberg 264b (ShH); Elizabeth Stoddard 305 (ShH), 132 (ShH); Philippa Stoddard 133 (ShH); Jonathan Spencer 381b (ShH), 217 (ShH); Ethan McNerney 248t (ShH), Corlan 338 (ShH); Rachel Taylor 339 (ShH); Jonathan Spencer 403 (ShH); Elizabeth Stoddard 172 (ShH); Scott Harriman 22 (ShH); Chris Holley18b (ShH); Philippa Stoddard 183 (ShH), 180 (ShH); Jesse Vear 153 (ShH); Jonathan Spencer 129b (ShH); Jesse Vear (152 (ShH); Philippa Stoddard 309 (ShH).

Chairman—Barb Ames; Secretary—Elizabeth Stoddard