Author: Karen Rollins
B. M. Smith: A Loving, Caring Spirit and Front Bench Stalwart
Micah 6:8He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.And what does the Lord require of you?To act justly and to love mercyAnd to walk humbly with your God. B. M. Smith of Silver Creek, Georgia, personified this Bible verse. He was a man who willingly accepted the responsibilities life brought him, and who gave…
150 Years and Counting: Heard County’s Hopewell Singing
The oldest continuous event in Heard County, Georgia, is a Sacred Harp singing begun right after the Civil War on the third Sunday in June. This June, the singing at Hopewell Primitive Baptist Church celebrated its 150th session with a well-attended day of singing, fellowship, and several special events. How does a small church in…
The Embodiment of Love and Fellowship: Honoring Billy Joe and Evelyn Harris
In October, 2015, the members of the Board of Directors of the Sacred Harp Publishing Company voted unanimously to present a citation to the descendants of Billy Joe and Evelyn Harris. The practice of awarding citations to outstanding deceased members of the Company was begun in 1969. This joint award was only the third one…
Honoring Jeff and Shelbie Sheppard: 2014 Citation Awards
On April 12, 2014, at the annual State Line Singing, the Sacred Harp Publishing Company presented Pam Nunn and Rene Greene with citation awards recognizing the contributions of their parents, Jeff and Shelbie Sheppard, to Sacred Harp singing. Jeff and Shelbie became the eighty-fifth and eighty-sixth recipients of the citations, given since 1969 to “honor and…
Remembering Those Who’ve Gone Before: Sacred Harp Publishing Company 2013 Citation Awards
On October 11, 1969, the Sacred Harp Publishing Company began a practice that continues to this day. The Board of Directors voted to present citations to “honor and express appreciation to loyal supporters and dedicated singers for outstanding work in the company and untiring support of and dedicated service to the cause of Sacred Harp…
