Saturday, August 19, 2006

Old Time Gospel Sing

About 150 people gathered in the front lawn of "Books to be Red" on School Road this evening. We brought lawn chairs and boxed suppers. About a dozen musicians and singers were set up on the porch to lead us in a traditional gospel sing.

For two hours we sat and sang along. Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, Keep on the Sunny Side of Life, Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Precious Memories........ It felt like an old time Camp Meeting (but without the preaching!). A few folks milled around and whispered greetings to each other. Babies slept on blankets. Toddlers roamed around through the crowd. Young children climbed trees or rode the tire-swing horse. Teenagers flirted with each other.

Surrounded by stately old live oak trees, facing an historic old island home, side by side with neighbors and out-of-towners, listening to traditional southern gospel music.... It was an experience that few communities have any more. We feel blessed to be a part of this wonderful village.

You can read our latest newsletter here. It's about Ocracoke Islanders and "tokens of death."
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