THIS ISSUE
Gift to CHI Will Fund First Translation and Transcription of Rare Walther Writings
How You can Help Fund Projects Like the Walther Translations
CHI to Honor 18 at Annual Awards Banquet
'A Cloud of Witnesses' Is Theme of 24th Conference
Constitution on Display: See a Piece of LCMS History
Fall Festival Returns to SLM
CHI Brings 'Words of Hope' to GCC
Christmas Ornament Helps Celebrate LCMS's 150th
Celebrate Advent of Christmas via German Service
Gifts Given to Honor Friends, Occassions
Memorial Gifts Honor Friends and Loved Ones
Notice of Membership, Subscription Changes for 1998
THE ARCHIVIST'S CORNER
First Finding Aids Now Online
Pamphlet Offers Tips for Making the Most of Your Museum When Budget is Tight
24th Conference on Archives and History Tentative Schedule
 CHI member Betty-Mae Stienhaus presents a check to Rev. Daniel Preus, CHI Director, to fund a variety of special projects, including the cost of transcribing and translating several pieces by C.F.W. Walther that have never before been available in English. (Photo by Rev. Mark Loest) |
Rev. Daniel Preus, director of CHI, predicts that the transcribing and translating of these documents -- funded by a generous donation from St. Louis resident Betty-Mae Stienhans -- will "create a lot of excitement."
Thanks to her gift, CHI will be able to translate into English a manuscript which was discovered just recently and has never before been published. It consists of approximately 55 pages of handwritten notes taken by students during C.F.W. Walther's Friday evening lectures, called "Lutherstunden." (The familiar book Law and Gospel by Walther was also the result of published student notes.)
The gift will support the cost of transcribing into typewritten format approximately 100 to 150 of Walther's letters and scanning them onto computer. The exact subject of the letters is yet unknown.
In addition it will cover the costs of typing and translating another handwritten German text (also the result of the "Lutherstuden" lectures) called the "Vorträge über die Inspiration des Heiligen Geistes" (Lectures on the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit).
The "Lutherstuden" letters are among many important documents that have not been readily available to the church because they are in the old German Suetterlin style of handwriting.
"There are very few people in the world these days who can read this kind of writing," Rev. Preus said. "Most of our early history of the LCMS is written in German. But because of the variations in handwritten German, much of it is illegible to us without expert help."
The first step, then, is to transcribe them into a typewritten format in German before the letters can be translated into English. Further funds are needed to cover the expense of publishing the Walther letters in English.
Miss Stienhans said she is delighted to be able to support such exciting work at the Institute. She became aware of the needs in this area by asking what she could do to help CHI.
"What Betty-Mae has done could serve as a model for the way other people can support Concordia Historical Institute," said Rev. Preus.
Miss Stienhans said giving support of this kind is proof that "even ordinary people can do something" to help preserve Lutheran history.
There are many special projects Concordia Historical Institute would like to be able to fund, in its efforts to serve the Church.
CHI would be pleased to mail the full list, with detailed descriptions of the work to be done, to those interested in providing special support. Please write to Rev. Daniel Preus, Director, CHI, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis MO 63105 or call (314) 505-7900.
Here are a few of the items:
Individuals and groups that have made significant contributions this year to Lutheran history and literature will be honored when Concordia Historical Institute hosts the 24th annual awards banquet.
The banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6, in Wartburg Hall, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, preceded by a reception for the awardees at Concordia Historical Institute at 5:30 p.m.
Members of the CHI Awards Committee narrowed a large field of nominees to select the 18 award winners. Awards are granted annually by the committee on behalf of the Historical Institute, to individuals, congregations, agencies, or boards for historical publications, for unique contributions to Lutheran literature, or for personal service in the field of Lutheran archival and historical work and support.
Both written and videotaped pieces are among this year's winners. The winners are:
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In addition, an award for Outstanding Individual Personal Contributions will be given to Gail Ann Ginapp of Faith Lutheran Church, Grand Prairie, Texas. Mrs. Ginapp was nominated for her work in organizing her congregation's records, which spanned from 1946 (when the congregation was founded) to the present.
Finally, the Distinguished Service Award will be awarded to Rev. Philemon Hensel for his exceptional decisions and volunteer work given in transmitting and inventorying the famous John Philip Koehler collection and of the Lutheran Protestant Conference files.
For those wishing to attend the evening's banquet and reception, the cost is $20 per person. RSVPs are needed by Oct. 15. Please contact Concordia Historical Institute by calling (314) 505-7900 or write CHI at 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105.
The 24th Conference on Archives and History will be held Nov. 6-8 on the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The theme this year is "A Cloud of Witnesses." Registration deadline is Oct. 15.
With the LCMS sesquicentennial as a backdrop, planners are developing a program evenly divided between historical presentations and a workshop on archives that focuses on developing and applying standards to our work. It is hoped that out of this discussion will come a manual for district archives that can also be adapted to other entities within the church and beyond.
Packets including registration forms have been mailed to a broad audience of historians and history lovers across the United States. If you have not received one but are interested in attending, please use the conference registration form on the conference webpage. A tentative schedule is below.
As in the past, lodging is available on the seminary campus, but rooms are limited and will be reserved on a first-come/first-served basis. If you want a room on campus, please return the registration form as quickly as possible. By conference resolution and long-standing practice, archivists of Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod districts and International Lutheran Women's Missionary League archivist/historians have been equalizing travel costs so that the expenses for each district are the same. This information will be gathered to compute costs when you arrive. Please bring copies of your travel expenses.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Rev. Marvin Huggins, associate director of archives and library for Concordia Historical Institute, at (314) 505-7920. Information on the conference is also being posted on the CHI World Wide Web site. The Web address is http://www.chi.lcms.org.
 The first page of the original constitution of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod can be seen in the CHI Museum. Copies are available through CHI. (Photo by Forrest Moeckel) |
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But when pressed, it is always my expressed opinion that the original constitution of the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States is by far the most valuable item that the Synod possesses.
On display in CHI's museum during the 150th anniversary year of The Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod is the original constitution document that was signed at the organizational meeting of the Synod at First St. Paul's in Chicago on April 26, 1847.
Written in a beautiful German "running hand," the document contains the constitution and signatures of the charter members.
The document is structured around three basic themes: reasons for organizing, confessional basis, and the Synod's work.
Reasons for organizing are stated in Article I (and are listed on page one of the document, shown in the accompanying photograph). These include: the example of the Apostolic Church (Acts 15); the preservation and furtherance of the unity of pure confession (Eph. 4:3-6, 1 Cor. 1:10) and provision for the common defense against separatism and sectarianism (Rom. 16:17); the protection and preservation of the rights and duties of pastors and congregations; the establishment of the largest possible conformity in church government; the will of the Lord that the diversities of gifts be used for the common good (1 Cor. 12:4-31); united effort to extend the kingdom of God and to make possible the promotion of special church projects (seminary, agenda, hymnal, Book of Concord, schoolbooks, Bible distribution, mission work within and outside of the church).
Article IV, which takes up the Synod's work, includes the directive, "...to start a chronicle of American Lutheranism." This is the beginning of the department of archives and history of the LCMS, which today is incorporated as Concordia Historical Institute, making the Synod's constitution the birth certificate of CHI.
The document in CHI's collection is 7 ½ inches (19 cm) by 12 inches (30.5 cm) and 24 pages long. Fine photographic reproductions of the document are available as individual prints and framed -- a fine tribute to the 150th Anniversary of Synod -- and a great gift for a pastor or church. For more information please contact Rev. Loest at (314) 505-7930.
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The annual Fall Festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Saxon Lutheran Memorial in Frohna, Mo. The day features pioneer craft demonstrations and traditional foods, including the making of apple butter.
Proceeds benefit the Saxon Lutheran Memorial. The memorial is located one-quarter mile north of Frohna on Highway C. For more information, please call (573) 824-5404.
Concordia Historical Institute had a unique presence at the recent Great Commission Convocation held Aug. 7-10 in St. Louis.
A double sized space became a "museum" for visitors who were drawn to CHI's booth to see a special exhibit on the 150th anniversary of The Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod and the Synod's beginnings.
The exhibit, titled "Words of Hope," played on the Convocation's theme, "Festive Hope." Six displays shared "Words of Hope" from the history of the church. "Savor the Word" displayed the Bible and Confessions. "Seek the Word" displayed documentation of immigration. "Show the Word" displayed the Synod's constitution. "Share the Word" displayed the mission work in the early years before the Synod's founding. "Support the Word" displayed the start of the Synod's institutions of learning. "Shout the Word" displayed God's blessings as the Synod progressed through the nineteenth century and into the twentieth, using the electronic word.
A generous grant by the Synod's 150th anniversary committee sponsored the exhibit.
The Rev. Mark A. Loest, assistant director for reference and museum at CHI, came up with the exhibit's concept and script.
The exhibit has been incorporated into CHI's museum where it may be viewed by the public during regular museum hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Group tours are also available by calling (314) 505-7930.
Some people enjoy adding Christmas ornaments to their collection year by year, especially to remember a special event in their life.
The 150th anniversary of The Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod is one such occasion you may wish to remember -- and the CHI Auxiliary is offering a custom-made, limited edition ornament to commemorate the LCMS in 1997.
A forward-moving ship is pictured on one side of the bulb, with the words "150 Years" and "1847-1997, The Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod." The other side bears a sketch of the log cabin school that became the original LCMS seminary, with the words "150 Years" and "Archives and History: Concordia Historical Institute." The bulb itself is a beige-colored iridescent pearl finish, with the artwork rendered in green, brown and black. This special commemorative ornament is available for purchase at Concordia Historical Institute Lobby Shop for $8 each. (Due to its fragility, we are unable at this point to ship this ornament to your home.)
Lobby Shop hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Call (314) 505-7900 for more information.
The Ladies' Chorus of the German Cultural Society will perform at the Advent-Christmas Vespers at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at Peace Lutheran Church, 737 Barracksview Road in South St. Louis County.
The observance begins with pre-service music from 2:30 to 3 p.m. by the 26-voice Frauenchor (Ladies' Chorus) which renders seasonal numbers in the German language. At 3 p.m. the formal service begins. Rev. Daniel Preus, director of Concordia Historical Institute, will be the speaker. Rev. Dennis A. Kastens, pastor of Peace, will serve as liturgist.
The Peace Lutheran Junior Choir, grades 4-6, under the direction of Mrs. Sherry Bierwagen, will sing carols in the vernacular.
The festive setting, including congregational singing, will be in German; however, English helps will be provided. Students of the language are encouraged to attend.
Fellowship, instrumental entertainment and ethnic refreshments in the church social hall will follow the service.
CHI appreciates the financial gifts given to pay tribute to special people and honor special occasions in the lives of loved ones.*
Gifts given in honor of the following persons, received since our last listing, are as follows:
* To request an honors folder for remembering special people and events, please write CHI.
Sincere thanks to those who continue to give gifts to the Institute in memory of friends and loved ones.
The following memorials were received recently and will be added to the CHI Book of Memories:
Following the approval of the Concordia Historical Institute Board of Governors on August 6, 1997, Concordia Historical Institute will be adjusting its rates for memberships and subscriptions, effective January 1, 1998.
Memberships:
Those joining or renewing membership before January 1, 1998 may choose from among the following memberships, which include a QUARTERLY subscription: active one year -- $25 ($35 effective 1/1/98); active, two-year advance payment -- $45 ($65 as of 1/1/98); active, three-year advance payment -- $60 ($95 as of 1/1/98); sustaining -- $35 per year (not available in 1998); patron -- $50 per year; congregational -- $25 per year (500 or fewer members), $50 per year (more than 500 members); organizational -- $75 per year; corporate -- $200 per year; life membership -- $500 (single payment); special life (over age 65) -- $300 (single payment); heritage (gift) life membership -- $500 (single payment). Effective January 1, 1998, all congregational and organizational memberships will be $50 per year. Each membership includes a year's subscription to the CHI QUARTERLY journal, plus the HISTORICAL FOOTNOTES newsletter (published quarterly), discounts on research service charges, voting privileges (Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod members), and free CHI Service Bulletins with information on various historical topics.
Subscriptions:
Effective January 1, 1998, subscriptions to the QUARTERLY will be available to individuals and/or organizations for $28 per year, with no membership privileges included.
New Membership Category:Also beginning January 1, 1998, supporting memberships -- a new category -- will be offered for $20 per year, providing individuals the opportunity to support CHI while declining a subscription to the QUARTERLY. Supporting memberships include the HISTORICAL FOOTNOTES newsletter (published quarterly), discounts on research service charges, voting privileges (Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod) and free CHI Service Bulletins. Please note, this new category does not include a CHI QUARTERLY journal subscription.
To Renew at 1997 Rates:
Members of Concordia Historical Institute who pay at the annual rate are normally billed a few weeks prior to the month their membership expires. At that time, they receive a goldenrod-colored reply envelope, on which they check off their preferred membership category and in which they mail a check or money order. (To determine your membership expiration date, please check your most recent CHI membership card.) If you have already renewed in 1997 but wish to extend your savings through or beyond 1998, please use the coupon below. You may also use this coupon if you have not yet been billed in 1997 or if you are uncertain of your membership expiration date. Mail with payment to CHI at 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis MO, 63105.
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Yes, I want to extend my annual membership in Concordia Historical Institute today: (Select one category & return by 12/31/97) [ ] Active membership (one year) -- $25 All memberships include a subscription to the CHI Quarterly journal, the Historical Footnotes newsletter,
discounts on research service charges, free CHI service bulletins with historical helps, and voting privileges
(Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod). Name: ________________________________________ |
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The first finding aids produced through the special grant project under way at CHI are now online.
One of them is for the John W. Behnken presidential papers. The official name of the record group is "LCMS. Office of the President. Behnken Administration (1935-1962)."
The finding aid includes a historical note about the development of the president's office in the Synod from 1847 through the Behnken administration; biographical information about Behnken; a summary description of the records, how they are organized and some of the major topics covered in them; a complete folder list of the collection; and a bibliography of Behnken's writings.
The John W. Behnken (1884-1968) Family Collection, c. 1874-1973, has also now appeared online. This collection includes correspondence, sermons, photos and other materials, as well as papers from his father and other family members.
You can access the finding aid in the "Collections" area of the Web site under "Archives." Another small finding aid has been posted in the "Missions" area for the "Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana."
Work is under way on the records of the LCMS Board of Directors, to be followed by work on the presidential files of Oliver Harms and J.A.O. Preus.
Your comments and questions are welcome.
Rev. Marvin A. Huggins,
Associate Director
What do you do when you are in charge of museum collections -- but just don't have the budget to do much to care for them all?
The American Association for State and Local History offers a technical leaflet (#198) in History News, volume 52, number 3, Summer 1997, entitled "Collections Care: What to Do When You Can't Afford to Do Anything."
Topics covered many areas, such as assessing what resources are available, determining things you can do on your own (e.g., carefully inspect the physical structure of your building), cleaning and maintaining collections, and creating emergency preparedness plans.
A few examples:
Leaflet #198 is available by contacting the American Association for State and Local History at 530 Church Street, Suite 600, Nashville TN 37219, or calling (615) 255-2979. You can also make a request by Email. The address is: aaslh@nashville.net.
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Nov. 6-8, 1997
Friday, Nov. 7:
Saturday, Nov. 8:
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"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