Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual Sacred Harp singing was held at New Hope Church on the fourth Sunday in June. The class was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by Christopher Mann leading 569b (in memory of Ruben Williams). Butch White offered the opening prayer. Christopher Mann welcomed everyone, thanked the caretakers that tend to the upkeep of the church building and cemetery, and expressed condolences to the family of Ruben Williams, who had previously been the primary caretaker and a proponent of this singing for many years.

In a business session, it was unanimously decided to keep the same officers as follows: Chairman—Christopher Mann; Vice Chairman—Anna Grace Sipe; Secretary—Cindy Mann.

Leaders: Christopher Mann 565; Butch White 73b, 313b; Tom Booth 34b, 37b; Delone Cobbs 312t, 489; Nancy Tuck Brown 335, 358; Hazel Heinze 68b, 347; Buell Cobb 127, 82t; Christopher Mann and Amber Mann 63, 77t; Linda Booth 481, 166; Cindy Mann 159, 274t; Geraldine Sharpton and Hazel Heinze 496; Geraldine Sharpton 490; Jim Pate and Londa Pate 59, 145t, 145b, 72b. The secretary of the cemetery committee gave a financial update on the status of the cemetery, recent improvements on the building, and thanked the singers for attending. A blessing was asked at the tables.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Christopher Mann leading 31t. Leaders: Geraldine Sharpton, Essie Hollingsworth, and Nancy Tuck Brown 143, 45t; Christopher Mann and Amber Mann 40; Joyce White 480; Joyce White and Londa Pate 312b; Tom Booth 475, 441; Hazel Heinze 147t; Linda Booth 146; Buell Cobb 79; Butch White 535; Cindy Mann 47b; Delone Cobbs 551; Christopher Mann 358 (by request). Announcements were made.

Christopher Mann led 62 as the closing song. Tom Booth offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Christopher Mann; Vice Chairman—Anna Grace Sipe; Secretary—Cindy Mann