Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, December 2

The 56th session of the Florida State Convention was called to order by Chairman Kevin Eddins leading 52t. Kevin welcomed the class, and read Psalm 110. He then led 131t. David Wever asked the Lord’s blessing on the day. Eric Eddins led the introductory lesson using 38b, 65, and 36b.

Leaders: David Wever 155; Evie Eddins 60; Tim Jones 553; Geoffrey Brooks 133; Emily Eddins 416t; Wynette Smith 475; Gary Padgett 434; Dana Eddins 191; Samuel Williams 479; Ellen Fournier 162; Tommie Spurlock 386.

RECESS

Kevin Eddins brought the class to order leading 140. Leaders: Barbara Jones 277; Marja Millard 282; Mary Amelia Taylor 567; Oscar McGuire 276; Rodney Ivey and Cheyenne Ivey 464; Luke Strickland 148; Daniel Williams 292b; Edith Eddins 535t; Alex Forsyth 522; McKenzie Flynn 559; Calum Woods 286t; Stanley Smith 98; Ezra Eddins 54t; Isaac Green 450; Eli Eddins 395b; Cassie Allen 86 (in memory of John Etheridge); Wayne Jones 204; Mary Huffman 444t; Rachael Geary 30b; Beverly Dayton 47t; Tim Taylor 99; Frank Strickland 100; Ewan Eddins 206; Cheyenne Ivey 511b; Ethan Eddins 76b. The class sang 369, and Samuel Williams gave thanks for the meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with the class singing 96. Kevin Eddins led 121. Leaders: Katherine Wever 140; Elliot Eddins 269; Bill Dupre 129; Lilah Kate Flynn 146; Prisca Rice 411; Stefani Priskos 380b; Dorothea Maynard 383; Elam Eddins 582; Farrel Stearns 571; Chris Nicholson 212; Jane Cannon 478; Marja Millard and Beverly Dayton 210; Mary Huffman 543; Bill Dupre 120; Katherine Wever 304; Ellen Fournier 49b; Calum Woods 422t; Prisca Rice, Tyler Thompson, and Isaac Green 414; Dorothea Maynard 203; Kevin Eddins 50t (by request); Rodney Ivey 196 (by request); Kevin Eddins 73t. Upcoming singings were announced. Kevin Eddins led 394, and Ewan Eddins closed the day with prayer.

Sunday, December 3

The Sunday session of the Florida State Convention began with Chairman Kevin Eddins leading 31b. He then read from Hebrews 9, led 30t, and asked the Lord’s blessing on the day of singing. David Wever led the introductory lesson using 112, 178, and 132. Leaders: Evie Eddins 144; Stanley Smith 491; Luke Strickland 108b; Ewan Eddins 291; Wynette Smith 358; Katherine Wever 122; Oscar McGuire 293b; Ethan Eddins 163t; McKenzie Flynn 406; Isaac Green 506; Prisca Rice and Tyler Thompson 277.

RECESS

Leaders: Eric Eddins 89; Tommie Spurlock 574; Stefani Priskos 514; Mary Whitehurst 489; Daniel Williams 140; Elliot Eddins 121; Chris Nicholson 175; Alex Forsyth 271b; Jane Cannon 482; Calum Woods 399; Eli Eddins 381t; Cheyenne Ivey 380t; Russ Scholz 283.

RECESS

Kevin Eddins led 29b to bring the class together. Leaders: Edith Eddins 36b; Morgan Bunch 186. The memorial lesson was conducted by Luke Strickland and Eli Eddins. Luke Strickland read from 1 Corinthians 15 and commented on the hope God has given in the resurrection of the dead. He then read the following list of names of the deceased: Hubert Nall, Gaston White, Norma Green, Marlon Wootten—Alabama; Philip Denney—Georgia; Cheryl Foreman, Landis Powell, Charlotte Powell—Texas.

Eli Eddins then read the following list of names of the sick and shut-ins: Nate Green, Paul White, Dave Ressler, and Janice Caldwell. Eli led 74b. Kevin Eddins closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Singing continued with leaders: Lilah Kate Flynn 348t; Samuel Williams 451; Cassie Allen 242; Ezra Eddins 507b. Kevin Eddins led 369, and Daniel Williams gave thanks for the meal.

LUNCH

Kevin Eddins brought the afternoon session to order leading 96. Leaders: Emily Eddins 421; Elam Eddins 492; Rachael Geary 274t; Rodney Ivey and Cassie Allen 552; Wayne Jones 504; Jamey Wootten 138t; Dana Eddins 520; Oscar McGuire 444t; Alex Forsyth and Rodney Ivey 465; Stefani Priskos 38t; Daniel Williams 524; Chris Nicholson 264t; Cheyenne Ivey 505; Calum Woods 515; Samuel Williams 272; Jamey Wootten 98; Rachael Geary 142; Cassie Allen and Rodney Ivey 392; Morgan Bunch 591; Jane Cannon 393; Mary Whitehurst and Stanley Smith 414; Tommie Spurlock 183 (by request); Tommie Spurlock and Stanley Smith 76b (for Vickie Aplin); Stanley Smith 268b (by request).

Tommie Spurlock gave the financial report, stating that all expenses were covered. Tommie Spurlock then announced the officers for 2024: Chairman—David Wever; Vice Chairman—Wayne Jones. Upcoming singings were announced.

Kevin Eddins, David Wever, and Wayne Jones led 308 as the closing song. Elam Eddins offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Kevin Eddins; Vice Chairman—David Wever; Secretary—Evie Eddins