HISTORICAL FOOTNOTES |
Table of Contents |
THIS ISSUE |
Newest Exhibit at CHI Shows How Luther Influenced J.S. Bach |
Say the name “Bach,” and most people will think of beautiful classical music.
But the newest exhibit at Concordia Historical Institute goes beyond the musical life of Johann Sebastian Bach to show him as theologian, a man influenced by Dr. Martin Luther.
“The highlight of our exhibit is Bach’s personal copy of the Calov Bible, on loan to us from Concordia Seminary’s Library,” said Rev. Mark Loest, assistant director for reference and museum.
The Calov Bible contains Bach’s signature and many personal notations, including the statement that the purpose of music is to glorify God.
The Bach exhibit is being presented in honor of the 250th anniversary of Bach’s death (July 28).
In addition to providing information on Bach’s life as a composer, the exhibit includes numerous books from the CHI collection and from the Concordia Seminary Library collection to show how Bach’s theological library looked.
The Bach exhibit replaces the Katie Luther exhibit which had been held over into early summer. Rev. Loest said the exhibit fills two galleries in the museum and is one of the largest exhibits CHI has ever had.
The Calov Bible is on view in CHI’s newest display case. Made possible by a generous donation, the case is custom made with lighting, temperature and humidity controls and its own security system.
Visitors may see the Bach exhibit in the CHI museum Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. through July 2001. Admission is free. Group tours are available when scheduled in advance by calling CHI at (314) 505-7900.
Institute Welcomes New Promotions Secretary to Staff |
For the staff of CHI, Janette Schanbacher is answered prayer.
Janette was hired over the summer as promotions secretary, a new position created following the departure of other staff members.
The position was created in late spring, after the CHI Board of Governors voted to split the responsibilities of former employee Chris Boshoven into two part-time positions.
Chris, who was moving to Indiana where her husband had accepted a call to a congregation in Hebron, would continue to write and design the Historical Footnotes long-distance, thanks to modern technology. Her other responsibilities, such as designing ads and brochures, and overseeing the mailing of CHI’s publications, would be turned over to a promotions secretary.
The question was, how would the Institute be able to find an individual with skills in graphic design who didn’t want to work full time?
Then Janette’s husband, Jeff, walked in the door. He was a new seminarian, he said, and his wife was looking for a job.
Her degree was in graphic design.
Oh, and she also just wanted to work part-time since they have a two-year-old at home.
Answered prayer.
Janette, who earned her degree from Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, began her new job at CHI in August. She and Jeff have four children. Their family is adjusting to the transfer from their Iowa farm.
“I’m very excited that God has led us to St. Louis and look forward to serving Him here at Concordia Historical Institute,” she said.
CHI Staff Celebrate 25, 30 Years in the Ministry |
Two out of the three LCMS pastors on staff at Concordia Historical Institute celebrated milestone anniversaries in the ministry this summer.
Rev. Daniel Preus, director of CHI, marked the 25th anniversary of his ordination. He was ordained and installed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hobart, Ind., on Aug. 31, 1975.
He attended Concordia Junior College, Ann Arbor, 1967-68; Lutherische Theologische Hochschule, Oberursel, Germany, 1968-69; and Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, Ind., 1969-71, receiving a bachelor of arts degree. He began his seminary education at Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, Ill., in 1971, graduating with a master’s of divinity in 1975. He also furthered his studies in 1972 at Lutherische Theologische Hochschule, Oberursel, Germany.
Rev. Marvin A. Huggins, associate director for archives and library, was ordained 30 years ago on July 5, 1970, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ellsworth, Kansas.
His first call was to Concordia Historical Institute as reference and research assistant, where he served from 1970 to 1978. He was pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Norton, Kansas, 1978-82, and associate editor at Concordia Publishing House from 1982 to 1989 before returning to work for CHI where he is now associate director.
Rev. Huggins earned an associate’s degree from St. John’s College, Winfield, Kansas; a bachelor’s from Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, Ind.; and his master’s of divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
Lectures to Address Lutheran Catholicity |
Lutheran Catholicity was the topic that several theologians were prepared to address during this year’s Pieper Lectures in St. Louis, Sept. 21-22.
The lectures, in their fifth year, were co-sponsored by Concordia Historical Institute and the Luther Academy and held on the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
This year’s presenters and their paper titles were:
Dr. William Weinrich, “The Lutheran Reformation and the Early Church;”
Dr. Cameron MacKenzie, “The Lutheran Reformers’ Understanding of the Historical Deformation of the Church;”
Rev. John A. Maxfield, “Catholic or Heretic? Martin Luther as Rebel and Reformer;”
Prof. Lawrence A. Rast Jr., “Catholicity and the True Unity of the Church in the Lutheran Confessions and Missourian Orthodoxy;”
Dr. Bruce Schuchard, “That They May Be One — Lutheran Interpretation of John 17 from the Reformation to Today;”
Dr. Paul Grime, “The Catholicity of Lutheran Worship.”
The 2000 Pieper Lectures will be published in book format this year. Those who attended this year’s lectures will receive a complimentary copy. Additional copies will be available later. Call (314) 505-7945 for more information.
Photos Available to the Church |
Hundreds of photo images from the history of Lutherans in America will be more accessible to churches and historians, thanks to work done over the summer at CHI.
Joseph Russo, a freshman this fall at the Kansas City Institute of Art, spent the summer scanning onto CD hundreds of images from deteriorating photos — many of the photos 100 years old or older.
Funding for the project came from Dr. Edward A. Arndt, a life member of CHI who also equipped CHI with a photo-imaging lab.
“This is all about making photographs accessible to the church,” said Rev. Mark Loest, assistant director for reference and museum. “For many of these photos, there were no negatives available. So by scanning them onto CD, we are bringing an old collection up to date in a modern way.”
Joe’s work began with a collection of photos donated by Frederick William Koepchen of New York, who collected photos of people and places relevant to the Missouri Synod. Almost 300 images from this collection were scanned.
“Some of the work is preservation and some of it restorative,” said Rev. Loest.
Photos that are fading are in need of preservation, he explained. Restorative work, on the other hand, entails working with damaged photos — those with a tear or a missing corner, for example. Joe scanned the image into the computer and then used technology to mend the tear in the image that is then preserved to CD. The photos are not altered in any other way and the original photos are retained in the archives.
Joe also completed scanning:
The images in the biographical file of LCMS pastor and professor Dr. George Stoeckhardt;
The collected images of the pastors of the LCMS Central District from 1869. (These were on a composite photograph and are now enlarged and saved as 62 individual images for each pastor’s biographical file.)
A large number of images from China (1931-1941), relating to former LCMS missionary Rev. Herbert Meyer.
Images for CHI’s exhibit on the 250th anniversary of the death of J.S. Bach, including scans of the Calov Bible Commentaries owned by Concordia Seminary as part of that exhibit.
Hill of Peace Hosts Reunion |
The 18th annual reunion service for former members of Peace Lutheran Church, Friedenberg, Mo., and descendents of the area’s pioneer settlers was held at the historic site Sunday, Sept. 10th.
The church, known today as the Hill of Peace, is preserved by CHI as a reminder of the rural German heritage of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.
Speaker for the reunion service was the Rev. David Dissen, who retired in 1998 as administrative pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Cape Girardeau, where he had served since 1981.
Rev. Dissen attended Concordia College, Milwaukee, Wis., and Concordia Seminary, graduating in 1959. He also served congregations in Salida and Leadville, Colo.; Beloit, Wis.; Chicago; and Clearwater, Fla.
He recently completed a three-year term limit as vice president of the Missouri District. He was elected in the June 2000 Missouri District Convention to serve as chairman of the Board for Mission Services.
Rev. Dissen serves as vacancy pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Gordonville, Mo., and at the chapel of Hope Campus Ministry (Southeast Missouri State University). He is also chaplain to the Cape Girardeau police and fire departments.
For info on the Hill of Peace, call (573) 547-5484.
Fall Festival Returns to Frohna |
Autumn is the time for trees to put on new colorful leaves, winds to turn cooler — and for visitors to enjoy the annual Fall Festival at Saxon Lutheran Memorial.
The Fall Festival, now in its 20th year, is held each year on the second Saturday of October.
This year’s event will run from 9 a.m .to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, and promises loads of arts and crafts, educational demonstrations and music from bygone years, and food and drink, including the annual favorite of festival-goers — apple butter.
Proceeds from the festival benefit the Saxon Lutheran Memorial, which is a historic site dedicated to the memory of the Saxons who immigrated from Germany to Missouri over 150 years ago.
The Saxon Lutheran Memorial is located at 296 Saxon Memorial Drive in Frohna, Mo.
For directions or more information on the festival, please call (573) 824-5404.
CHI Awards Banquet Coming Up |
Winners of this year’s Concordia Historical Institute Awards will be honored during the annual CHI Awards Banquet, scheduled for Nov. 9 in St. Louis.
This year’s winners will be announced in the Winter 2000 issue of the Historical Footnotes.
Each year CHI honors individuals and groups who have rendered significant service to the mission of preserving our Lutheran history and heritage during the previous year. Nominations are accepted each year for congregational histories, historic preservation programs, family history and genealogy, major publications, journal articles, audiovisual media, youth and outstanding personal contributions.
Memorial Gifts & Honorariums Given for Loved Ones & Special Occasions |
The following memorial gifts were received since the printing of the last Footnotes and will be recorded in the CHI Book of Memories:
The following gifts were given in honor of friends and loved ones on special occasions:
The Archivist's Corner |
Institute Seeks Archivist for Full-time Permanent Position |
Concordia Historical Institute, the Department of Archives and History of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, is seeking applicants for a full-time permanent position of archivist.
The archivist is responsible for processing activities relating to the arrangement, description and preservation of archival records and collections of personal papers in the holdings of the Concordia Historical Institute. The position involves some supervisory and training responsibilities over part-time paid and volunteer staff members. It also involves some reference assistance. The archivist reports to the Associate Director for Archives and Library.
Applicants should have a master’s degree in humanities (history preferred) or library science with formal professional archival training or apprenticeship. Thorough knowledge of archival theory and accepted practices, records management principles and preservation theory/practice is required, as well as demonstrated effective oral and written communications skills, evidence of ability to work in a team environment, knowledge of finding aids and related manuscripts/archives descriptions and knowledge and a general understanding of PC-based computer applications in word processing, database management and WWW technologies. Additional desirable skills: HTML, EAD DTD, digitizing processes, knowledge of the German language, and history of the Lutheran Church.
Requirements: Minimum three years’ postgraduate experience working with manuscripts or archival records, experience appraising and processing manuscript collections or archival records, supervisory and project management experience.
Starting salary $27,000-$29,000, depending on educational background and experience. Position includes generous health plan, disability and pension, two weeks’ paid vacation, paid major holidays.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please submit a letter of interest and resume. Applicants will be asked to fill out a standard employment application. Contact Marvin A. Huggins, Associate Director, Concordia Historical Institute, 801 De Mun Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63105, phone: (314) 505-7921, FAX: (314) 505-7901, email: mhuggins@chi.lcms.org.
Walther's Pastoral Theology Available in CHI Lobby Shop |
The newest addition to the CHI Lobby Shop is C.F.W. Walther’s Pastoral Theology, a reprint of the 1906 fifth edition.
Walther addresses 17 areas of pastoral theology and answers questions on the call to holy ministry, preaching, Holy Communion, funerals, visitations, baptism, marriage and church discipline. Cost is $8. To have it shipped to you, send $4 shipping and handling (add $1 S&H for each additional book ordered by mail). To order by credit card (Visa or Mastercard), call (314) 505-7900. Or send your check, money order or credit card information in writing to: CHI at 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis MO 63105. Requests can also be made by email by contacting chi@chi.lcms.org.
New Program Will Help Synod Care for Its Vital Records |
Paperwork is a dirty word to many of us. What to do with it all? How to file it? How long to keep it — and where?
Even more questions arise when it comes to the records generated by the church. For example, when an employee creates a manual as part of his job, is it his property? What about something in electronic form? When and how can these records be destroyed when they are no longer needed?
Concordia Historical Institute, in its role as the Department of Archives and History for The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, has created a records management program and policy for the church. In December 1999 the Synod’s Board of Directors endorsed this policy and encouraged the Institute to carry it out.
Since all records created by officers of the Synod, boards, commissions, committees, tasks forces and other agencies owned or controlled by the Synod are the property of the Synod, they may be disposed of only under procedures and guidelines established by CHI (Bylaw 3.207a, p. 58).
The program identifies, maintains, safeguards and properly disposes of the useful and vital records of the church.
Rev. Marvin Huggins, associate director for CHI, will be meeting with the Synod’s heads of departments this fall to share details of the program with them, including a Records Management Manual. The program will ensure that vital records are maintained in a way to be useful for the future.
Tips for Preserving Your Favorite Textiles |
Perhaps it’s the christening gown that has been passed down from person to person in your family, a heritage quilt you found at an estate sale, or your mother’s wedding dress.
Are you taking the steps necessary to preserve this special textile?
Textiles are fragile and all of them will deteriorate over time. While you can’t stop the deterioration, you can take steps to slow it down and ensure other generations will be able to appreciate the piece.
One of the greatest enemies of textiles is direct sunlight. Light fades colors and weakens fibers. Keep your textiles out of direct sunlight.
If you have a piece you wish to display on the wall, such as a small quilt or rug, choose a north-facing wall or a darker room. Never use nails or tacks to hang quilts; instead sew a muslin sleeve to the back which will hold a pole. Another idea for quilts is displaying them over a piece of furniture, such as a quilt rack or a cupboard door.
If you have the piece framed, ask the framer to use “museum glass” or Plexiglas, in order to filter out the harmful UV rays of light.
Take great care if the piece needs cleaning. While storing a soiled textile can lead to greater damage, remember that efforts to clean fragile textiles can reduce their value or even ruin them.
Wool items should be dry cleaned, especially if the colors will bleed in water. Ask your dry cleaner for special handling.
But dry cleaning is only recommended for sturdy pieces. Other fragile textiles should be washed by hand.
Remember that bleach breaks down fibers; use only color-safe bleach.
Hydrogen peroxide can also be used on textiles that have turned yellow or gray with age. After hand washing and rinsing, put the damp textile in a bowl that has equal portions of hydrogen peroxide and water. Once the piece is saturated, gently fold it and place it in a clear plastic bag that can be sealed. Let it sit overnight, then remove, rinse well and air dry.
For textiles with food stains, use a pre-wash of sodium perborate (for example, “Biz”).
"Historical Footnotes" newsletter is published quarterly by Concordia Historical Institute, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis MO 63105. The Institute is a not-for-profit organization, serving as the Department of History and Archives for The Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod.
Editor-in-Chief: Rev. Marvin A. Huggins
Writer and Layout Editor: Chris Boshoven
The following back issues are available on-line:
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