Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, August 1

The 168th session of the Chattahoochee Convention was held on the first Sunday and Saturday before in August at Wilson Chapel, Cross Plains, Georgia. The class was called to order by Sheri Taylor, who welcomed everyone, and led 56b and 75. Philip Denney offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Laura Frey 178, 119; Jenna Frey 408, 358; Lisa Webb 222, 369; Oscar McGuire 171, 115; Glenda Collins 340, 208; Joseph Silva 504, 277; Winfred Kerr 283, 516.

RECESS

Sheri Taylor called the class back to order by leading 209. Leaders: Amber Davis 37b, 100; Samuel Williams 411, 60; Esther Williams 61; Philip Denney 129, 313t; Lori Silva 114, 58. The convention held a business session. The following officers and committee members were elected or appointed to serve for the 2020 session: Chairman—Sheri Taylor; Vice Chairman—Laura Frey and Lisa Webb; Secretary—Donna Duke; Assistant Secretary—Jenna Frey; Chaplain—Philip Denney; Arranging Committee—Laura Frey; Finance Committee—Lori Goode and Christian Webb; Memorial Committee—Lisa Webb; Resolutions Committee—Oscar McGuire.

Leaders: Christian Webb 294, 124; Celeste Silva 448b, 231; Daniel Williams 211, 110. Philip Denney offered prayer before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Sheri Taylor leading 126. Leaders: Oscar McGuire 420 (in memory of his son Bentley McGuire who recently passed away. Oscar requested to hear any memories of his son that those remembered during the afternoon session); Joseph Silva 332; Glenda Collins 454; Winfred Kerr 59; Amber Davis 348b; Samuel Williams 349; Philip Denney 120; Daniel Williams 43; Celeste Silva 157; Jenna Frey 45t; Christian Webb 133, 155; Laura Frey 282; Lori Silva 78, 447; Lisa Webb 566; Riley McKibbin 46.

Announcements were made. A special Thank You was given to Robert and Shane Wilson who worked tirelessly all year on the church grounds beautification and upkeep. Sheri Taylor, Lisa Webb, Laura and Jenna Frey led 323t for the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer offered by Daniel Williams.

Sunday, August 2

The Sunday session of the Chattahoochee Convention was brought to order by Sheri Taylor leading 47t. The opening prayer was offered by Philip Denney.

Leaders: Laura Frey 97, 114; Jenna Frey 45t, 178; Esther Williams 183, 416; Oscar McGuire 34b, 441; Winfred Kerr 225t, 146; Philip Denney 39t, 440; Lori Goode 512; Lori Goode and Laura Frey 358; Amber Davis 381, 276.

RECESS

Joseph Silva led 133 and 277 to bring the class back to order. The memorial lesson was conducted by Lisa Webb. Lisa read the following names of the sick and shut-ins: Judy Henry and Ricky McGraw. During these trying times we especially need to remember those who are sick and shut-in. Please pray for those that we may soon see them again, singing and worshiping with us.

Lisa continued the memorial lesson by reading the following list of names of the deceased: Bentley McGuire, Richard DeLong, Charlene Wallace, Larry Smith, Artie Lewis and Myra Jo Reid Dudley—Georgia; Bill Windom, Jewell Wootten, Velton Chafin and Ottis Sides—Alabama. Lisa stated: I believe all these wonderful souls were taken from us too soon. I am reminded of the scripture Romans 8:28—And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. God has a reason and a purpose for everything He does. God does not make mistakes. In our sorrow we must take comfort in God’s word. She then quoted 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14. Bentley, Richard, Charlene and all those who we love dearly will be deeply missed. Through God’s word we know we will see them again in Heaven one day. It is there that we will be able to meet and join our voices together to shout and sing Hosanna. The joy we will have to see our family and worship together at the throne of God! We must hold on to their memories and rejoice in knowing we will be reunited again in Heaven. Lisa shared some loving memories of Bentley, Richard and Charlene. For encouragement she read from the scriptures of (NIV) Isaiah 41:10—So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and keep you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. In honor of the sick and shut-ins and in memory of the deceased Lisa led 339. Philip Denney closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Celeste Silva led 319 and 312t. Philip Denney asked Oscar McGuire to offer grace before the noon meal.

LUNCH

Laura Frey and Jenna Frey led 119 to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Molly Gross and Lena Silva 107, 354b; Lisa Webb 361, 323b; Amber Davis 217; Lori Silva 216; Lori Silva and Celeste Silva 196; Joseph Silva 504; Winfred Kerr 314; Philip Denney 300; Samuel Williams 487; Oscar McGuire 503, 485; Lori Goode 176b, 551; Celeste Silva 79, 159; Lena Silva 480; Jed Silva 157; Lori Silva and Jed Silva 191.

The convention went into a business session for the purpose of hearing reports. Lori Goode from the Finance Committee gave the finance report. We give thanks for the generous amount given today. May God Bless you all abundantly. Oscar McGuire of the Resolutions Committee gave the following resolution: First, we thank God for allowing us to meet one more time to sing praises to Him at the Chattahoochee Convention. Secondly, we are thankful for every member of the Wilson family for preserving and maintaining the Wilson’s Chapel, as well as, providing for all of our needs as we attend the convention. Most importantly, we thank all of the singers that came to sing and fellowship in order to make this 168th session of the Chattahoochee Convention a success. Our numbers may have been few but you do not always need quantity as long as you have quality! Furthermore, in these difficult times of dealing with the Coronavirus Pandemic we are reminded of past times that we have heard of when the convention was impacted by wars and other difficulties that could have caused a session to be missed. However, like today, our ancestors always managed to hold the convention. We continued the tradition this year so that a session has never been missed! We give a very special Thank You to everyone that attended to make that possible. Lastly, we resolve to meet next year the first Sunday and Saturday before in August for the 169th session of the Chattahoochee Convention. Motion was made and carried that the reports be accepted as read and added to the convention’s minutes. Announcements were made. Sheri Taylor gave a heartfelt Thank You to all those that made the fearless journey during these trying times. Sheri Taylor, Laura Frey, Jenna Frey, Lisa Webb and Riley McKibbin led 62 as the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer offered by Philip Denney.

Chairman—Sheri Taylor; Vice Chairman—Laura Frey and Lisa Webb; Assistant Secretary—Jenna Frey