Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, March 22

The 61st session of the Georgia State Sacred Harp Singing Convention was held at Holly Springs Primitive Baptist Church, south of Bremen, Georgia, on the fourth Sunday and Saturday before in March. Matt Hinton called the class to order, welcomed everyone, and then led 32t. Matt offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Matt Hinton 31t; Phillip Langley 81t; Donna Bell 68b; Anna Hinton 208; Jeannette DePoy 475; Nathan Rees 375; Bill DuPre 37b; Shawn Taylor 188; Karen Rollins 222 (for her sister, Karleen Williams); Lisa Bennett 298; John Plunkett 64; Glenda Collins 282; Lela Crowder 460; Winfred Kerr 500; Caran Bramlette 143; Andy Ditzler 109; Cathy Bonk 30t; Robert Chambless 225t; David Brodeur 538; Karen Morris 299; Shane Brown 383.

RECESS

Matt Hinton brought the class to order leading 65. Leaders: Judy Chambless 318; Erica Hinton 129 (for Karis Askew); Karen Morris 326; Wade Kotter 135; Laura Frey 358.

A business session was held with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Phillip Langley; Vice Chairman—Nathan Rees; Secretary/Treasurer—Donna Bell.

Leaders: Phillip Langley 436; David Smead 336; Bob Hume 276; Debora Grosse 344; Pam Nunn 454; Sam Kleinman 411. Chairman Philip Langley announced the following committee members to serve: Arranging Committee—Anna Hinton; Resolutions Committee—Jesse P Karlsberg and Judy Mincey; Memorial Committee—Erica Hinton and Bridge Hill Kennedy; Locating Committee—John Plunkett.

Leaders: Bert Collins 542; Oscar McGuire and Jessie Wardership 515; Chris Wilhelm 228; Sheri Taylor and Holly Meyer 430; Bridge Hill Kennedy 32b; Judy Mincey 468; Jesse Roberts 240. Shane Brown offered the blessing of the noon meal at the table.

LUNCH

The afternoon session of singing began with Phillip Langley leading 99. Leaders: David Ivey 224; Cindy Tanner 155 (for Lucy Marie Heidorn); Sam Kleinman 189; Lori Rogers 198; Bob Hume 186; Sarah George 216; Becky Wright 377; Reba Windom 384; Wade Kotter 426b; Briley McKibben 46; Phillip Ford 288; Chris Wilhelm 278t; Bridge Hill Kennedy 391; Pam Nunn and Reba Windom 192; Lori Rogers 162; Shane Brown 312t; David Ivey, Holly Meyer, and Jessie Wardarski 47b; Cindy Tanner and David Brodeur 498; Lela Crowder 440; Shane Brown and Sara George 115 (by request).

Following announcements, Phillip Langley led 114 as the closing song. Shane Brown offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Sunday, March 23

The Sunday session of the Georgia State Sacred Harp Singing Convention began with Phillip Langley leading 48t. Shane Brown offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Nathan Rees 313t; Donna Bell 542 (for Joe Crosby); Shane Brown 129; Erica Hinton 126; Judy Chambless 29t; Sheri Taylor 470; Bridge Hill Kennedy 489; David Smead 93; Wade Kotter 480; Jesse P Karlsberg 360; Judy Mincey 311; David Brodeur 217; Debora Grosse 556; Jerusha Wheeler 276; Matt Hinton, Holly Meyer, and Jessie Wardarski 383; Becky Wright 31b; Andy Ditzler 396; Maygan Barker 457; Karen Rollins 177; Laura Frey and Holly Meyer 163b; Michael Spencer 393; Shawn Taylor 102.

RECESS

Nathan Rees brought the class to order leading 36b. Leaders: Lela Crowder 121; Lisa Bennett 351. Kathy Williams presented a posthumous memorial plaque honoring Martha Ann Stegar from the Sacred Harp Publishing Company to Martha Ann’s daughter, Lisa Sipp. Martha Ann was an avid singer for almost 40 years, was famous for her poppy seed cake, and created a Sacred Harp Facebook group. Martha Ann’s health started to decline and she moved to Winchester, Virginia, to be near her family until her passing on April 1, 2024, minutes before her 94th birthday.

Leaders: John Plunkett 346; Reba Windom 283 (for Loyd Ivey); Sam Kleinman 564; Jenna Frey 358.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Erica Hinton and Bridge Hill Kennedy. Erica stated, “Many of us come to the singing looking forward to seeing those we care about. Sometimes we are disappointed to learn that someone couldn’t come so we pause to direct our thoughts and prayers to those who are sick, those who have a burden too heavy to allow them to join us, and also remember the caretakers. Pray for their refreshment. We bind our hearts together now as we sing, wishing we could encourage them. My hope today is that we offer them encouragement and reflection through a card, call, or even a visit. We know it means so much to be remembered and we pray that our hopes and hearts be strengthened”. The names of the shut-ins include Jim and Bea Aaron, Nate Green, Joyce Walton, Ed and Margaret Thacker, Pleasance Crawford, Beau Caldwell, Betty Shepherd, Greta Holbrook, Elsie, John, and Billy Hollingsworth, Don Bowen, and Jeannette DePoy. The class sang 72t.

Bridge Hill Kennedy spoke for the deceased. She mentioned, “Each time we gather and we talk about passing it makes our own passing a bit easier. We sing about serious a matter. We are better prepared for our own passing. What I’m not prepared for is yours. I’m not prepared for your passing. We hold each other in this space recognizing our own vulnerabilities and each other’s and for a moment we get to hold those who are on this list again in our hearts as we sing”. The names on the deceased list included Beverly Rollins Thompson, Lucy Garner, Martha Ann Stegar, Bob Goodman, and Susan Morgan—Georgia; Pauline Oliver, Virginia Futral, William Futral, Henry Guthery, Earl Ballinger, Julia Poston, Malik Williams, Frank Hill, Jr., and Joe Crosby—Alabama; John Smead—Missouri; Karen Hand—New Mexico; John Bennett—Germany; Michael Kennedy—Ireland; Dave Bennett—Pennsylvania; Susan Fetcho—California; Reed Schilbach—Washington; and Donald Stephen Clarke (B.F. White’s great-great grandson). Bridge led 385b. Shane Brown closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Leaders: Anna Hinton 455; Lauren Bock 181; David Ivey 572; Jane Cannon 75; Isaac Green 483. Philip Gilmore offered the blessing of the noon meal at the tables.

LUNCH

The afternoon session of singing convened with Anna Hinton leading 203. Leaders: Garrett Morton 138b; Rebekah Gilmore 411; Tom George 298; Pam Nunn 472; Philip Gilmore 107; Sam Kleinman 435; Wade Kotter 350; Rodney Ivey 500; Sarah George 436; Becky Wright 123t; Shawn Taylor 72b; Robert Chambless 77b; Jesse P Karlsberg 202; Kathy Williams 151; Laura Ackerman 404; Isaac Green 395; Jane Cannon 163t; Lauren Bock 328; Jerusha Wheeler 522; Michael Spencer 382.

A business session was held for the purpose of hearing reports from the various committees. Donna Bell presented the finance report stating that all expenses for the convention were met. Judy Mincey and Jesse P Karlsberg of the Resolutions Committee presented the following report: We, the class of the 61st meeting of the Georgia State Sacred Harp Convention, do hereby resolve to offer thanks to the Almighty for the privilege of assembling in this sacred space to offer our gift of song. We are grateful for the tradition of Sacred Harp singing, which enlivens our lives and spirits with fellowship and sweet song. We are thankful for each person who has come this way to contribute their voices, food, and support to this gathering, without which this Convention would not be possible. We are appreciative of Holly Springs Church for hosting this Convention and for its long history of hospitality. We acknowledge with gratitude the efforts of the officers, keyers, and all who have worked to make this special singing such a success. We therefore resolve to meet next year on the fourth Sunday in March and Saturday before to celebrate the 62nd convention. John Plunkett representing the Locating committee stated that the location for the 62nd convention has yet to be determined. The reports were approved, and the business session was closed.

Following announcements, Phillip Langley led 62 as the closing song. Jesse Roberts offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Philip Langley; Vice Chairman—Nathan Rees; Secretary—Donna Garner Bell