Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, August 24

The 93rd session of the Mississippi State Sacred Harp Singing Convention was held at Antioch Primitive Baptist Church, Forest, Mississippi, on the fourth Sunday and Saturday before in August. Four books were used for song selections during the weekend including The Christian Harmony (CH), The B.F. White Sacred Harp, Cooper Edition (CB), The J.L. White Sacred Harp (WB), and The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition. Mark Davis welcomed everyone and thanked the people of Antioch Church for hosting the convention. He called the class to order by leading 101t. The opening prayer was offered by Robert Vaughn.

Leaders: Mark Davis 74b; Henry McGuire 432b (CH), 54 (CH); Darlene Reynolds 490, 505 (CB); Arlon Gardner 278t, 183; Robert Vaughn 97, 75; Charlie McGuire 181, 300; Mike McNeill 573 (CB), 522 (CB); Jeff James 514 (CB), 548 (CB); Amy Wells 518 (CB), 393 (CB).

RECESS

Mark Davis brought the class back to order and appointed the following singers to the Business Committee: Charlie McGuire, Will Gatewood, and Nicholas Thompson. Leaders: Mark Davis 126; Prisca Rice 543t (WB), 526 (WB); Lisa Geist 528, 472; Mary Beth Garrison 50 (CH), 361; Sophia Gardner 288, 277; Dawn Van 559 (CB), 128 (CB); Danny Creel 133 (CB), 186 (CH); Dennis Cranford 30b, 155; Anders Wells 99, 110. Arlon Gardner asked for a blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

Mark Davis led 326 to begin the afternoon session. Leaders: Cheryl McNeill and Mike McNeill 204t (CH), 172 (CH); Will Gatewood 514 (CH), 82t (CH); Sonja Kirkham 450 (CB), 100 (CB); Haisley Perkins 78t (CH), 131 (CH); Regina Derstine and Todd Derstine 513t (CB), 384 (CB); Chris Nicholson 212 (CB), 293b (CB); Drew McGuire 475, 552 (CB); Nicholas Thompson 304, 176 (CH).

In a business session, the following officers were elected to serve for the weekend: Chairman—Mark Davis; Vice Chairman—Drew McGuire; Secretary/Treasurer—Darlene Reynolds; Chaplain—Arlon Gardner.

Leaders: Mark Davis 454 (for Darlene Reynolds); Prisca Rice 168b (CH); Robert Vaughn 118b (WB); Chris Nicholson 67b (CH); Drew McGuire 236.

Mark Davis led “The Drone” as the closing song. Arlon Gardner dismissed the class with prayer.

Sunday, August 25

The Sunday session of the Mississippi State Sacred Harp Singing Convention met again at Antioch Primitive Baptist Church, Forest, Mississippi. The class was called to order by Mark Davis leading 37b. Arlon Gardner offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Mark Davis 77t; Drew McGuire 56b, 368b (CH); Darlene Reynolds 486t (WB), 511 (WB); Arlon Gardner and Sophia Gardner 151 (CH), 111b; Charlie McGuire 456, 336; Haisley Perkins and Nicholas Thompson 77 (CH), 78t (CH); Sophia Gardner 457, 278t; Sonja Kirkham 189 (CH), 269 (CB).

RECESS

Leaders: Mark Davis 140; Chris Nicholson 38t (CB), 464 (CB); Amy Wells, Corinne Wells, and Helen Wells 146, 112; Andy Davis 455, 436; Jane Armstrong 72b, 63; Will McGuire 197, 215; Anders Wells 70b, 76b; Will Gatewood 490b (WB), 38t (WB); Nicholas Thompson 16 (CH), 364 (CH). Arlon Gardner asked the blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

Mark Davis brought the class to order and appointed Chris Nicholson to serve as the Memorial Committee and Lisa Geist to serve as the Resolutions Committee. Leaders: Mark Davis 106; Lisa Geist 391, 527; Henry McGuire 410 (WB); Henry McGuire and Nicholas Thompson 460; Todd Derstine and Regina Derstine 138t (CB); Andy Davis, Regina Derstine, and Todd Derstine 254.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Chris Nicholson. He read the following list of names of the sick and shut-ins: Marlin Beasley, Betty Shepherd, Chris Shepherd, Ed Thacker, Margaret Thacker, David Light, John Lee Van Horn, Judith Gatewood, Alice McGuire, Colvin Mann, and Leon Ballinger. Chris led 54t (CB).

The following list of names of the deceased was read aloud by Chris Nicholson: Larry Wise—Mississippi; Henry Guthery, Earl Ballinger, Ozella Blackmon, Chaeta Blockman, and Richard Mauldin—Alabama; P. Dan Brittain—Arkansas; Eva Striebeck—Germany. Chris led 285t (CB). Arlon Gardner closed the memorial service with prayer.

A business session was held for the purpose of hearing reports. The Business and Credentials Committee reported the collections and expenses for the weekend. Lisa Geist reported the resolutions thanking Antioch Primitive Baptist Church for hosting the convention. She thanked the cooks for bountiful meals. She thanked God for visitors who came to join good fellowship and good singing. The business session was closed. Announcements were made.

Mark Davis, Henry McGuire, and Drew McGuire led “The Drone”. Arlon Gardner offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

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