Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, August 23

The 94th session of the Mississippi State Sacred Harp Singing Convention was held on the fourth Sunday and Saturday before in August. President Mark Davis welcomed the class, and extended thanks to the members of Antioch Primitive Baptist Church for hosting the convention.

Mark Davis led 37b and 208. Arlon Gardner offered the opening prayer. Song selections were from The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition, The B.F. White Sacred Harp, Cooper Edition (CB), The Christian Harmony (CH), and The Sacred Harp, White Book (WB). Leaders: Drew McGuire 126, 486; Darlene Reynolds 505 (CB), 410 (CB); Arlon Gardener 455, 481; Danny Creel 203 (CH), 493b (CH); Ann Steel 512, 378b; Jeff James 372b (CH), 168b (CH); Warren Steel 422t (CB), 494 (CB).

RECESS

Mark Davis brought the class back together leading 30t. Mark Davis appointed the following people to serve on the Business Committee: Drew McGuire, Will Gatewood, and Charlie McGuire. Leaders: Dennis Cranford 299, 128; John Pyles 354b, 61; Steve Kelly and Darlene Reynolds 143 (CH), 109 (CH); Nicholas Thompson 64 (CH), 338b (CH); Robert Vaughn 491, 323b; Mary Beth Garrison 281b (CH), 170 (CH); Chris Nicholson 171b (CH), 172 (CH); Prisca Rice 523, 115. Robert Vaughn offered the prayer before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Mark Davis leading 98. Nicholas Thompson presented Mark Davis a plaque on behalf of the convention in recognition of forty-one years as president of the convention. Leaders: Mark Davis and Nicholas Thompson 456; Todd Derstine and Regina Derstine 45b (CH), 393t (CH); Henry McGuire 208 (WB), 543t (WB); Lisa Geist 291, 195; Amber Davis 234, 380; Will Gatewood 499b (WB), 496b (WB); Sophia Gardner 47b, 457; Molly Gatewood 315 (CH), 367 (CH).

A business session was held and the following officers were elected or appointed to serve: President—Mark Davis; Vice President—Drew McGuire; Treasurer, Secretary, and Arranging Committee—Darlene Reynolds; Chaplain—Arlon Gardner; Memorial Committee—Chris Nicholson and Lisa Giest; Resolution Committee—Amber Davis and Molly Gatewood.

Leaders: Mark Davis 236; Robert Vaughn and Prisca Rice 142; Mary Beth Garrison 176b (CH); Jeff James 250 (CH); Robert Vaughn 514 (CB); Prisca Rice 567 (CB); Danny Creel 1 (CH). Announcements were made.

Mark Davis, Drew McGuire, and Henry McGuire led 549b (CH) as the closing song. Arlon Gardener offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Sunday, August 24

President Mark Davis welcomed everyone, and led 101t. Arlon Gardner offered the opening prayer. Leaders: Mark Davis 74b; Drew McGuire 392, 16 (CH); Darlene Reynolds 131 (CH), 281b (CH); Arlon Gardner 313b, 522 (CB); Sophia Gardner 388, 285t; Tim Taylor 573 (CB) (for Brenda Kyser), [475-1991-1991].

RECESS

Drew McGuire called the class to order leading 137. Leaders: Chris Nicholson 212, 34b; Ricky Beasley 31t, 68b; Lisa Geist 117 (CH), [528-1991-1991]; Nicholas Thompson 364 (CH), 464 (CB); Amber Davis 511b (CB), [391-1991-1991]; Molly Gatewood 462b (CH), 355 (CH).

The memorial lesson was held at this time. Lisa Geist spoke on behalf of the sick and shut-ins and read the following list of names: Alice McGuire, John Van Horn, Liz Van Horn, Margaret Keeton, Ed Thacker, Margaret Thacker, Brenda Kyserl. Lisa led 472 for the sick and shut-ins.

Chris Nicholson spoke on behalf of the deceased and read the following list of names: Lucy Ryan Heidorn, Buell Cobb, Pauline Oliver—Alabama; Mike Hinton—Texas; Charlotte Naylor, Alice Bejnar—Florida. Chris led 146 (CB) in memory of the deceased. Arlon Gardner closed the memorial lesson with prayer and offered the blessing on the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Drew McGuire leading 371. Leaders: Mary Amelia Taylor 256 (CH), 242 (CH); Molly Gatewood 238 (CH), 432b (CH); Todd Derstine and Regina Derstine 361 (CB), 497 (CB); Arlon Gardner 277; Henry McGuire 430 (WB), 228 (WB); Mike McNeil 204t (CH), 176 (CH); Will Gatewood 50 (CH), 51 (CH); Nicholas Thompson 454, 452.

A business meeting was held for the purpose of hearing the various committee reports. The business committee gave their reports, and announced that expenses had been met. The Resolutions Committee, Amber Davis and Molly Gatewood, offered the following report: We resolve to thank Antioch Primitive Baptist Church for hosting the convention. We were blessed with good food, fellowship, and singing. We resolve to meet again next year, 2026, for this convention. The business meeting was closed. Announcements were made.

Mark Davis, Henry McGuire, and Drew McGuire led 549b (CH) as the closing song. Arlon Gardner offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

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