The
fifth
Thanksgiving Singing Day was held in the Village Hall of Jordans, the Quaker
Village, and burial place of William Penn. The class was called to order by
Sheila Girling Macadam leading 34b and Revd David Chantler offered the opening
prayer. Leaders: Edwin Macadam 84; Rachel Jordan 52t; Toby Goss 159; Rebecca
Over 461; Nick Hall 91; Susannah Gill 45t; Steve Welch 50b; Sofi Mogensen 312b;
Michael Walker 28b; Tom Gerber 81t; Erin Johnson-Hill 206; Steve Fletcher 46;
Sheila Girling Macadam 362; Edwin Macadam 181; Rachel Jordan 171; Toby Goss 288;
Rebecca Over 306; Nick Hall 285t; Susannah Gill 270; Steve Welch 147b; Sofi
Mogensen 107; Michael Walker 212.
RECESS
Tom Gerber
brought the class back together leading 72b. Leaders: Erin Johnson-Hill 568;
Steve Fletcher 53; Edwin Macadam 320; Sheila Girling Macadam 142; Toby Goss 178;
Nick Hall 548; Susannah Gill 272; Steve Welch 77b; Sofi Mogensen 278t; Rebecca
Over 303.
Vonnie Chantler,
assisted by Maggie Eiseman-Renyard, conducted the sick and housebound lesson,
reading from the fifth chapter of the Book of John. Vonnie and Rachel Jordan
led 491, remembering: Carlene Griffin (Georgia, USA), Elspeth Hannen (Amersham),
Ben Simpson (High Wycombe), Mary Ware (Billericay), Elizabeth Cave, Tamara
Dragadze (both of London), Maisie Harber (Worcestershire), Mary Wray, Sara Ray,
Josie Bloom (all of London), Carole Satramurthy, Ram Ramamurthy (both of
London), Dieter Geisler (Hamburg, Germany), Sarah Hauser (Portland, Oregon,
USA), Patricia Price (Sutton), Janet Codner and Maureen Blissett (both of
London).
Michael Walker
delivered the Memorial Lesson, reflecting on the origins of Thanksgiving and
commemorating the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F.
Kennedy the previous day. Paraphrasing from the President's inaugural address,
Michael commended the class not to ask what others can do for us, but what we
can do for others. He led 475 in memory of: David Comelis (Tamworth), Barbara
Clark (Tenterden, Audrey Hewison (Prestwood), Hazel of Eynsham, Josie Hyde and
Jeff Sheppard (both of Alabama, USA), Alice Wadsworth (Wareham), Violet Wortley
(Eastbourne), Louise's Mum of Portugal, Edith Walden (London), Eileen Dee (Rottingdean),
Ted Alderson (Tatsfield), Eva Lawrence (Leamington Spa), William Durkin
(Marlborough, Mass., USA), and Frank Fowler (Oseney, Oxford). David Chantler
closed the memorial with prayer.
Leaders: Rachel Jordan 82t; Tom Gerber 448t;
Erin Johnson-Hill 556; Michael Walker 573; Steve Fletcher 196; Toby Goss 189;
Rebecca Over 562; Nick Hall 441; Susannah Gill 442; Sheila Girling Macadam 155.
Mary Welch offered thanks for the midday meal.
LUNCH
The afternoon
session commenced with Rachel Jordan leading 350. Leaders: Steve Welch 200;
Sofi Mogensen and John Taylor 228; Michael Walker 528; Edwin Macadam 538; Tom
Gerber 445b; Erin Johnson-Hill 192; Steve Fletcher 49b; Toby Goss 163b; Rebecca
Over 432; Nick Hall 455; Susannah Hill 456; Steve Welch 70t; Sheila Girling
Macadam 553; Rachel Jordan 474; Sofi Mogensen 65; Edwin Macadam 444; Michael
Walker and Victoria Timberlake 146; Tom Gerber 268; Erin Johnson-Hill 566; Steve
Fletcher 315.
RECESS
The class was
reconvened for the final session with Toby Goss leading 354t. Leaders: Dilwyn
Scott 40; Edwin Macadam 550; Rebecca Over 460; Sheila Girling Macadam 500; Nick
Hall 73b; Steve Welch 186; Rachel Jordan 299; Tom Gerber 100; Sofi Mogensen 209;
Steve Fletcher 481; Toby Goss 203; Rebecca Over 131b; Nick Hall 569b; Sofi
Mogensen 31t; Steve Welch 99; Tom Gerber 448b; Steve Fletcher 378b; Rachel
Jordan 373. Announcements were made and invitations extended to other Sacred
Harp singing events around the country. After expenses had been met, the
surplus from the day's donations would again be passed to the Quakers for their
use. Sheila Girling Macadam and Edwin Macadam led 347 and David Chantler
offered the closing prayer. The class was dismissed.
Chairman--Sheila Girling Macadam
Vice Chairman--Edwin Macadam
Pitchers--Rachel Jordan and Michael Walker
Arranging Committee--Steve Fletcher and Nick Hall
Chaplain--Revd David Chantler
Secretary--Sofi Mogensen. |