LOCKE MILLS — Those with a passion for old hymns will have a chance to sing and listen to many of them at a special hymn sing presented by the Rumford Point Congregational Church and the Locke Mills Union Church at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22, at the Locke Mills Church.

This is the second time such an event has taken place, and the second time the hymns presented are either in memory or in honor of loved ones.

Beverly Melville, choir director and organist for the Locke Mills church, said the gathering is a very special time for anyone associated with either church.

“It is so fulfilling. It gives people an opportunity to remember their loved ones, and reminds them that they were the backbone of the church,” she said.

Not only will the 25-voice choir come from the two sponsoring churches, but also from several others in Bethel, South Paris, Fryeburg and Standish.

And at least one of the songs, to be performed by Pastor Sondra Withey of the Rumford and Locke Mills churches, is not a hymn.

“The Rainbow Connection” will be performed in memory of former state Sen. Norman Ferguson, who was a longtime member of the Rumford Point church, said his widow, Barbara Ferguson.

She and her husband first brought the idea of a hymn sing to remember past members to the two yoked churches.

They had traveled to Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia and attended a similar hymn sing at three churches on the island, Barbara Ferguson said.

“But it’s more personal here,” she said.

The event began with mailings from each of the two churches to their members, former members or family members asking for their favorite hymns in memory or honor of someone, as well as donations.

The hymn sing is a big fundraiser for both small churches.

Dozens of responses were returned. The top four hymns were: “In the Garden,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.”

Those and many others will be sung by those attending, and several others will be performed by the choir or by soloists.

Melville said those that aren’t sung on Sunday will be included in the services at the Locke Mills and Rumford Point churches during the next few weeks.

During the first hymn sing in 2004, a special “favorites” hymnal was compiled with about 80 hymns. This year’s hymn sing will have nearly 40 more favorites added to the book, said Melville.

The choir, which also includes some summer people, will be dressed in old-fashioned clothing. The women will wear long skirts and broad-rimmed summer hats. The men will likely wear bow ties and straw hats, Ferguson said.

The last time the event was held, the Locke Mills church was packed. Both Ferguson and Melville expect the same again.

“People can sit down and sing, and just have some fun,” Ferguson said.

The Ladies Circle will serve goodies after the hymn sing in the church’s fellowship hall. All are invited.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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