The Muhlenberg Tradition Series
LCMS Celebrates 150th Anniversary
More Anniversaries!
LHC Leadership Additions
News By/For/About Members
Local History Meetings
Frederik A. Schiotz PersonalPapers Donated
New Resources
Is the name of a series of invitational seminars sponsored by the Mission Resource Institute, under the direction of Kenneth C. Senft. The series seeks to illuminate the significance of the Muhlenberg tradition for continuing mission of the Lutheran Church in the United States and Canada. The first introductory seminar takes place January 31-February 1, 1997 in Baltimore, Maryland and is on the theme "The Church-Still Planted: Ecclesia Plantanda 1748-1998." Among those speaking at the first event are: Kay Dowhower, Sherman Hicks, Robert J. Marshall, John H.P. Reumann and several LHC members: Paul A. Baglyos, Raymond M. Bost, Mary B. Havens, Cynthia A. Jurisson, Mark W. Oldenburg, A. Gregg Roeber, Robert F. Scholz and Frederick K. Wentz.
Future series events will take place in 1997 and 1998 at three Evangelical Lutheran Church in America seminary campuses, Gettysburg, Philadelphia and Southern and other locations. This series forms a part of the observance in 1998 of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania by Henry Melchior Muhlenberg. For further information contact: Kenneth C. Senft, Mission Resource Institute, P.O. Box 3877, Gettysburg, PA 17325; Phone: 717-337-1608.
In 1997 the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod celebrates the 150th Anniversary of the founding of the synod in Chicago, Illinois, April 26, 1847. On that date this Spring, celebration planners hope to launch hot air balloons to advertise this significant anniversary.
Already available is "Into the World... To the End of the Age," a video history of the LCMS. The twelve chapters include: "Reformation to Immigration," "Immigration to Organization," and "Organization to World War II." Later chapters are topical and highlight world missions, colleges, seminaries and ethnic ministries with a special chapter on "The Laity," featuring The Walther League and The International Lutheran Women's Missionary League. LHC member and past president August R. Suelflow is among those featured in the video.
Along with a printed study guide, the two-hour video is designed for confirmation, new members or Bible classes. Until March 1, 1997 the video is $54.95 and $59.95 after that date. Order by calling: 1-800-527-3211. Master and Visa Cards accepted.
Later in the year on August 9, the 150th Anniversary Celebration Extravaganza takes place at the Kiel Center, St. Louis. Held in conjunction with the Great Commission Convocation (August 7-10), tickets are free of charge to all attendees. For further details contact Linda Hoops, LCMS, News and Information Division: Phone: 314-965-9000; e-mail: ic_hoopslc@lcms.org
In 1997 some other anniversaries of note and to be looking for are the 50th of the Lutheran World Federation and the 10th of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The LWF Assembly, July 8-16, Hong Kong, will include commemoration of the anniversary and the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Philadelphia, August 14-20, will include a birthday celebration. The assembly theme is, "Making Christ Known: Alive in Our Heritage and Hope."
Robert F. Scholz, Vice-President
Holy Trinity Lutheran ChurchRobert F. Scholz, 3 W. 65th St., New York, New York 10023, LHC Vice President, has accepted a new call as of February 16, 1997 as pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Manhattan. Also he has been asked to plan for the 1998 LHC meeting on Wagner College, Staten Island and has been working on that. In addition, he will be a participant and presenter in "The Muhlenberg Tradition Series," as noted elsewhere in this issue.
The Lutheran Historical Society of Eastern Pennsylvania's "Winter Happening," January 25, 1997, featured David Miller author of A Gift of Love, a history of the Lutheran Home, Topton. The meeting took place at the home which celebrated its centennial in 1996 and featured tours of the campus.
The next LHSEP meeting is April 19, 1997 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Allentown. For membership and meeting information contact: Mrs. Lillian Stella Labe, 1211 Milestone Road, Robesonia, PA 19551.
The Lutheran Historical Society, Gettysburg, will hold its Spring meeting, April 12, 1997 at the Adams County Historical Society, located on the campus of the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg. The theme for the meeting is, "American Lutheranism Between Muhlenberg and Walther: Illumining a Dark Age Thesis." The key note speaker is the Rev. Paul Baglyos, Zion Lutheran Church, Harrisburg, with the Rev. Gilson Waldkoenig, Gettysburg Seminary, responding. Following the address the annual business meeting takes place and then Dr. Michael J. Kurtz, LHS,G, president, will present, "Biographical Odyssey: Writing and Publishing John Gottlieb Morris, Man of God, Man of Science." This volume is soon to be published by the Maryland Historical Society. For further information, contact: Dr. Michael J. Kurtz, 960 Aqua Ct., Annapolis, MD 21401; Phone: 410-757-1824.
In October 1996, Dagny Schiotz, widow of Lutheran church leader, The Rev. Fredrik A. Schiotz, donated an extensive collection of her husband's papers, photographs and art work to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Region 3 Archives at Luther Seminary. This gift completes a collection process that began in 1990. Total collection size is over 25 cubic feet.
While earlier donations covered Schiotz's college career, early ministries and the work with the Lutheran Student Association of America, the recent gift documents his involvement with the Lutheran World Federation and the National Lutheran Council. It also covers his tenures as president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (1954-1960) and the American Lutheran Church (1960-1972). Throughout his career, Dr. Schiotz was known for his commitment to churches around the world. This collection is rich in photographs documenting his many travels abroad in the years following World War II.
The Fredrik A. Schiotz Papers will be available for research by February 1, 1997. Please contact Paul A. Daniels, ELCA Region 3 Archivist and the Luther Seminary Archivist, 2481 Como Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108; phone: 612-641-3205, e-mail: pdaniels@luthersem.edu.
Mrs. Esther Dockter Wegenast, who with her husband, the late Rev. Clarence Wegenast, served as missionaries, has written, In His Service, Ten Young Men Volunteer to Help Reconstruct The War-Torn Mission Field of Lutheran Mission New Guinea. Mrs. Wegenast recounts the work of reconstruction of buildings that had been destroyed during World War II as carried out by young men of the American Lutheran Church recruited for this purpose. The author's husband is one of the young men recruited for the task and his diary, plus archival records and photographs, as well as interviews with the other "crew" members served as her sources. The book includes many illustrations and is available for $12 from the author: Mrs. Esther D. Wegenast, 2507 West Charles St., Grand Island, NE 68803.