Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Thursday, June 16

The 41st session of the National Sacred Harp Convention was called to order. There was no meeting of the convention in 2020 and 2021 because of the restrictions during the Coronavirus pandemic. Glenn Keeton led 144. Elder Jesse Roberts offered the opening prayer. The group was welcomed by Justin McKensey, Fultondale Fire Chief.

Leaders: Glenn Keeton 46; Mark Davis 129, 142; Lisa Geist 527, 472; Nicholas Thompson 200, 542; Jesse Roberts 270, 567; Winfred Kerr 549, 36b; Karen Rollins 153, 155; Warren Steel 39t, 434; Mary Beth Garrison 452, 475; Bryan Black 505, 432.

RECESS

Mark Davis led 76b to bring the class back together. Leaders: Butch White 344, 547; Marlin Beasley 61, 336; Amber Davis 212, 192; Bea Aaron 568, 456; Jordan McGuire 47b, 354b; Dorothea Maynard 280, 84; Ann Riley 28b, 178; Dave Farmer 65, 299.

RECESS

The class was brought back to order by Jesse Roberts leading 77t. A business meeting was held and the following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Glenn Keeton; Vice Chairmen—Buell Cobb, Henry Guthery, and Mark Davis; Secretary—Lisa Geist; Chaplain—Jesse Roberts; Arranging Committee—Nicholas Thompson and Susan Cherones. The business meeting was closed.

Leaders: Robert Vaughn 81t, 72b; Regina Derstine 102, 566; Daniel Lee 489, 287.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Glenn Keeton leading 277. Leaders: Hubert Nall 203, 384; Judy Chambless 534, 318; Earl Ballinger 177; Susan Cherones 349, 107; Tom Booth 441, 480; Robert Chambless 560, 319; Larry Ballinger 97; Isabella Green 162, 146; Charlotte Bishop 40, 268; Randy Webber 86, 87; Becky Briggs 426t, 426b; Linda Thomas 345b, 430; Sarah Beasley 159, 388; Linda Booth 273, 196; Glenn Keeton 45t. Announcements were made.

Glenn Keeton led 267 as the closing song. Elder Jesse Roberts dismissed the class with prayer.

Friday, June 17

The Friday session of the National Sacred Harp Convention was called to order by Glenn Keeton leading 59. Elder Jesse Roberts offered the morning prayer. Glenn Keeton led 274t. The class was welcomed by Billy Hughes of the Fultondale City Council.

Leaders: Mark Davis 123t, 74b; Lisa Geist 276, 228; Nicholas Thompson 172, 217; Jesse Roberts 242, 155; Danny Creel 428, 269; Ricky Beasley 348b, 47b; Butch White 33b, 535; Daniel Lee 565, 287; Bea Aaron 64, 426b.

RECESS

The class was called to order by Mark Davis leading 39b. Leaders: Amber Davis 208, 391; Robert Vaughn 215, 56b; Mary Beth Garrison 143, 532; Linda Booth 166, 218; Dave Farmer 454, 455; Becky Briggs 274t, 406; Larry Ballinger 56t, 140.

RECESS

Glenn Keeton led 270 to bring the class together. The memorial lesson was held at this time. Mark Davis read the following list of names of the sick and shut-ins: Mary Cobb, Henry Guthery, Richard Mauldin, Gaston White, Liz Van Horn, Philip Denney, Barry Rollins, J.L. Hopper, Chita Blakeley, Edna Graves, Juanita Beasley, Bobby Caldwell, Ed Thacker, and Margaret Thacker. Jesse Roberts led 566.

Mark Davis spoke and read the following list of names of the deceased: Coy Ivey, David Beasley, Jewel Wootten, Irene Killingsworth, Joan Aldridge, Jayne Fulmer, John Beasley, Patsy Kelly, Scott Kelly, and Kenneth Sundberg—Alabama; Linda Funderburk—Mississippi; Chris Briggs—Florida; Baron Powers—Louisiana; Landis Powell and David Rousseau—Texas; Solomon Ossa—Washington; Rebecca Over—United Kingdom. Mark led 235 in memory of the deceased. Jesse Roberts closed the memorial service with prayer. Dorothea Maynard led 442 and 196.

LUNCH

The Friday afternoon session began with Glenn Keeton leading 119. Leaders: Randy Webber 66, 504; Hubert Nall 77t, 313t; Susan Cherones 300, 209.

A business meeting was held to hear committee reports. The Resolutions Committee, Dorothea Maynard and Marlin Beasley presented the following report: We individually and collectively as the 41st session of the National Sacred Harp Convention, hereby resolve: To thank God for giving us the spirit, will, desire and strength to sing this music and glorify Him; To thank the City of Fultondale and the Birmingham Square Dance Association for providing us a home to sing in; To thank all the officers of this convention for their tireless efforts to make this occasion a seemingly effortless joy; To thank all those who prepared and brought food which fed our physical bodies while the music fed our spiritual bodies; To offer appreciation to Sarah Beasley and Warren Steel, who were members of the first National Sacred Harp Convention and have attended every year since then. Buell Cobb, also a first National Sacred Harp Convention member, dropped off a supply of loaner books, but could not attend because his wife, Mary, had surgery. And, we hereby resolve to gather again next year on Thursday and Friday before the third Sunday in June for the 42nd session of this convention. Respectfully submitted by Dorothea Maynard and Marlin Beasley. The Resolutions report was accepted. Randy Webber gave the financial report, and the business meeting was closed.

Leaders: Leanne Carter 49b, 312b; Sarah Beasley 340, 318; Linda Thomas 73t, 137; Ann Riley 142, 302; Glenn Keeton 436, 507, 503; Seth Holloway 388, 236. Announcements were made.

Glenn Keeton led 62 as the closing song. Elder Jesse Roberts offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Glenn Keeton; Vice Chairmen—Buell Cobb, Henry Guthery, and Mark Davis; Secretary—Lisa Geist