ANNUAL
HYMNSING
& SUPPER SMALL’S HOUSE
Route 9, Beddington, ME 04622
The
tradition began in 1992 when Julia Small wanted to
invite the Congregational. Church family over for a
supper gathering and also have an old-fashioned HymnSing.
The HymnSing would be led by Julia’s daughter-in-law,
Margaret, the family’s pianist—organist—choir director.
Julia’s son, Don, would be in charge of preparing the
supper. We would ask several people in the church to
make homemade pies/desserts/rolls.
The
first year it was held was 1992 with about thirty people
in attendance. Then in 1993 we had forty-three, which
is the all-time record high. It has been held every year
on a Sunday in late July, before the Blueberry season.
The
HymnSing begins at 4:00pm with Margaret Small at the
piano, asking for requests and favorite hymns, usually
from the Red Hymnal, which has many of the great Gospel
Hymns and Spirituals in it. One of the most favorite
hymns is “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder”,
which is Foster
Mathews’s favorite. Also, “Amazing Grace”, “How Great
Thou Art”, “Great is Thy Faithfulness”, “In the Garden”,
and many others.
At
5:00pm, Don calls everyone into the Dining Room for
Supper, with the pastor asking the Blessing. Don’s
menus over the years have included: Sliced Ham &
Macaroni Salad, Hamloaf, Meatloaf, Chicken-Vegetable
Casserole, & Quiches of many kinds.
After
Supper, at 6:00pm, we are ready to SING again, so we
invite everyone back to the piano room and continue
singing the great hymns of our faith. By 7:00pm we have
usually sung eighty or ninety hymns (two verses each).
At 7:00pm we stand and join hands for the concluding
hymn, “God Be With You Til We Meet Again”.
We hope
that everyone will keep singing every day, all year
long, praising the Lord, and keeping our faith vibrant
and active!! See you next year at the next
ANNUAL
HYMNSING
& SUPPER at the SMALL’S HOUSE BEDDINGTON!!
