Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, August 24

The 89th session of the Mississippi State Sacred Harp Singing Convention was called to order by Mark Davis leading 37b. Arlon Gardner offered the opening prayer. Mark Davis led 101b. Mark welcomed everyone to the convention, and thanked Alfred Bailey and Antioch Primitive Baptist Church for hosting the convention.

Leaders: Darlene Reynolds 484 (CB), 505 (CB); Arlon Gardner 183, 505; Jane Armstrong 513, 470; Danny Creel 166 (CH), 186 (CH); Dennis Cranston 39t, 328; Kim Vaughn 558 (CB), 528b (CB); Cory Winters 441, 445; Will McGuire 270 (WB), 148 (WB).

Mark Davis appointed Lisa Geist and Darlene Reynolds to the Arranging Committee. He appointed Drew McGuire and Henry McGuire to the Business and Credentials Committee.

RECESS

Nicholas Thompson brought the class back to order leading 514 (CB) and 464 (CB). Leaders: Wilma Mitchell 480, 569b; Charlie McGuire 461 (CB), 485 (CB); Jamira Jackson 169, 455; Sonya Kirkham 330t (CB), 54t (CB); Warren Steel 327, 195 (CH); Will Gatewood and Nicholas Thompson 168, 205; Arlon Gardner, Sophie Gardner, and Samantha Gardner 347, 454; Lisa Geist 472, 528. Robert Vaughn asked a blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

Mark Davis brought the class back together leading 78. Leaders: Carole Watts 515 (CB), 546 (CB); Chris Nicholson 293b (CB), 212 (CB); Drew McGuire 475, 422; Ateven Snderson 290, 122; Mark Davis 117 (CH) (by request from the people of Antioch Primitive Baptist Church); Robert Vaughn 38b (CB), 142 (CB); Henry McGuire 509 (WB), 54 (CH); Regina Derstine 193 (CH), 258 (CH); Danny Creel 432b (CH), 546b (CH); Robert Vaughn 547 (CH), 197 (CH).

A business meeting was held for the election of officers as follows: President—Mark Davis; Vice President—Drew McGuire; Secretary—Darlene Reynolds; Chaplin—Arlon Gardner. Mark Davis led 236. Henry McGuire led 85 (CH) and 16 (CH) for Esther Mann, and Warren Steel led 8 (CH). Announcements were made.

Mark Davis, Henry McGuire, and Drew McGuire led the Drone as the closing song. Robert Vaughn offered the closing prayer.

Sunday, August 25

The Sunday session of the Mississippi State Convention was called to order by Mark Davis leading 57. He welcomed everyone. Arlon Gardner opened the service with prayer. Mark Davis appointed Carole Watts and Sonya Kirkham to the Memorial Committee. He appointed Nicholas Thompson and Chris Nicholson to the Resolutions Committee.

Leaders: Mark Davis 53; Darlene Reynolds 131 (CH); Darlene Reynolds and Nicholas Thompson 454; Arlon Gardner 448t, 481; Chris Nicholson 264t (CB), 264b (CB); Bentley Rose 282, 354b; Regina Derstine and Todd Derstine 151 (CH), 172 (CH); Nicholas Thompson 189, 216; Ateven Snderson 207, 344.

RECESS

Drew McGuire brought the class back together leading 37b and 328. Leaders: Sonya Kirkham 269 (CB), 99 (CB); Cory Winters 277, 274t; Wilma Mitchell 248 (CH), 86t (CH); Will Gatewood and Nicholas Thompson 338 (WB), 540 (WB); Carole Watts 563 (CB), 571 (CB).

RECESS

Mark Davis brought the class back together leading 125. Leaders: Jamira Jackson 196, 361; Susan Dickey 470 (CH), 165 (CH). Arlon Gardner offered the prayer to bless the food.

LUNCH

Drew McGuire brought the class back together leading 29b. Leaders: Chris Nicholson 484 (CB) (for Esther Mann); Drew McGuire 81t (CH) (for Esther Mann); Cory Winters 224.

Carole Watts led 447t (CB) for the following sick and shut-ins: Roy Davis, Alice McGuire, Elizabeth Van Horn, Curtis Owen, Ottis Sides, Velton Chafin, Charlene Wallace, Jerry Kitchens, Gayle Cowart, Peggy Ray, Hugh McGuire, and Jennifer Jones.

Sonya Kirkham led 77 (CH) in memory of the following deceased: Mary Chrestman, Eugene Forbes, Bill Brunner, and Adelaide Vaughn. Chris Nicholson closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

The Business and Credentials Committee gave their report. The church received $300.00. A donation of $100.00 will be made to WCPC radio station in Houston, MS, for the Sacred Harp hour every Sunday morning. A donation of $250.00 will be made to Camp Fasola, and $60.00 will be sent for minutes publication. It was decided to change our account with Bank First to Great Southern Bank, the reason being a charge of $12 every month because of low minimum balance and there is no charge with the other bank. The Resolutions Committee resolved to thank God for His many blessings this weekend. We thank Antioch Primitive Baptist Church for hosting the convention, and plan to meet here next year for the 2020 session of the convention. Committees were dismissed and the session was closed. Announcements were made. Mark Davis, Henry McGuire, and Drew McGuire led the Drone as the closing song.

President—Mark Davis; Vice President—Drew McGuire; Secretary—Darlene Reynolds