Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

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Swarens Memorial Higher Ground Singing

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, Indiana

Sat, Mar 22, ’25

The 30th annual session of the Swarens Memorial Higher Ground Singing met at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Saturday before the fourth Sunday in March. The class was called to order by Sarah Ward leading 59. Sarah offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Thomas Smith 497; Sarah Lynne Gershon 203; Thomas Koehnline 475; Carolyn Craig 287; Geo Colvard and Sarah Lynne Gershon 39t; Rob Tibbs and Shannon Tibbs 149; Andrew Shaffer 170 (ShH); Alice Bean 147b; Tim Morton 89t (ShH); Darrell Lahm 551; Lori Graber 122; Jim Herr 114 (ShH); Erik Schwab 107 (ShH); Shannon Tibbs 22b (ShH); Jonathon Smith 226 (ShH); Barbara Lehr and Thomas Koehnline 242 (ShH); Keith Seidel 448b.

RECESS

The class was called back to order by Thomas Smith leading 40. Leaders: Adrian Eldridge 314 (in memory of Pauline Oliver); Jim Solheim “Gregg” (in honor of Tim Gregg); Samantha Foster 344; Tom Morton 209; Wendy Wahn 480; Tim Gregg 420t (ShH); Laura Mulford and Sarah Ward 108 (ShH); Eric Morgan 379; Janice Harrell 192; Aaron Jones 214 (ShH) (in memory of Curtis Cook); Prisca Rice 70b; William McNiece 70t; Thomas Smith 183; Sarah Ward, Melanie Mashner, and Jacob Taylor 142; Thomas Koehnline 48t; Sarah Lynne Gershon 27 (ShH); Carolyn Craig 38t. Announcements were made. Sarah Lynne Gershon offered prayer before lunch.

LUNCH

The class was called back to order by Sarah Ward leading 171 (ShH). Leaders: Thomas Smith 105 (ShH); Keith Seidel 80t; Shannon Tibbs 86 (in memory of Curtis Cook); Andrew Shaffer 264b (ShH); Samantha Foster 455; Darrell Lahm 354b; Adrian Eldridge 36b; Alice Bean 49b; Spencer Domer 178; Geo Colvard and Sarah Lynne Gershon 126.

The memorial lesson was conducted by William McNiece. He spoke of the role of the memorial lesson in singings and of Darrell Swarens from whom the singing takes its name. William read the names of the following sick and shut-ins: Frances Bailey, Don Spragg, Tom Jurgensen, Janet Fraembs, Terry Hogg, Sidra Schkerke, Cindy Beaulé, Sue Duff, Ed Walton, and Roger Crabtree. He read the list of names of the following deceased: Sue Baughman, Curtis Cook, and Jeff Richardson—Indiana;, Pauline Oliver—Alabama; Reed Schilbach—Washington; Terry Barber—California; Raymond Yearty—Georgia; and Steve Duff—Ohio. The class sang 47b and the memorial lesson was closed.

Leaders: Tom Morton 496; Erik Schwab 198; Wendy Wahn 547; Jim Herr 546.

RECESS

The class was called back to order by Sarah Ward and Camden Matkovich leading 155. Leaders: Tim Morton 99 (ShH); Eric Morgan 274t; Lori Graber 556; Thomas Smith 36t; Tim Gregg 185; Sarah Ward 236; Jim Solheim 532; Janice Harrell 451; Rob Tibbs and Shannon Tibbs 117; Jonathon Smith 186; Barbara Lehr 448t; Spencer Domer 462; Aaron Jones 56b; Thomas Smith and Sarah Lynne Gershon 426b.

The Treasurer reported that contributions were expected to meet expenses for the singing. The Secretary reported that there were thirty registered leaders and twenty-nine registered non-leaders who attended the singing representing IN, IL, KY, OH, MI, MO and NE.

Announcements were made including that the 2026 Swarens Memorial Higher Ground Singing will be at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Jessica Smith and Sue Childress were recognized and thanked for their organization of the lunch. Those contributing dishes for the dinner on the grounds were thanked.

Jim Herr offered the closing prayer. Sarah Ward led 62 as the closing song, and the class was dismissed.

Chair—Sarah Ward; Secretary—William McNiece