Summer 1999

The Region 6 Archives received a generous grant from AAL for the purpose of conducting Mini-workshops on archival issues and congregational histories. The previous workshops were great successes. Trinity Lutheran Church in Marysville, OH, St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mansfield, OH, and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Haysville, IN served as hosts. There were strong turnouts followed by good dialogues and exchanges of ideas. Four of the six regional synods were represented, as well as other denominations. Even the archivist learned something at each location!

You can learn too at one of the many workshops scheduled. If interested in attending, please register at the numbers below, or call the Archives at 614/235-4136 X4002 if you have any questions. See you there!

The workshops will last about 4 hours, and will be followed by a good will donation lunch.

The Region 6 Archivist, Jeanene Letcher, attended the Luther College Congregation Heritage Workshop, July 11-13, in Decorah, IA. WOW, there certainly was a lot of information! By attending the workshop, Jeanene hoped to gather more ideas for the mini-workshops the archives offers to congregations. Goal accomplished! She was able to gather ideas that should help congregations write their history or celebrate an anniversary. According to the participant list, four Region 6 congregations sent at least one representative. Jeanene was able to meet several of the region's participants, although she regrettably missed some. For those of you who were unable to attend, please consider it for the future. Between the regional workshop and the Luther College Heritage Workshop, congregations will be well prepared to actively celebrate and preserve our church's history.

Several congregations have expressed an interest in expanding their mission to include a web page on the Internet. If your congregation has a website, please e-mail or forward the address to the Region 6 Archives. The Archives has been working on the expansion of its web page and is creating an Active Congregation Link Page. You can create a link to the Archives as well. The Internet address is http://www.trinity.capital.edu/Other/Reg6Archives/ARCHHOME.HTM

The Archives has seen an increase in research inquiries in 1999. Since 1998, the Archives has been keeping statistics regarding the number of inquiries received from interested genealogists and researchers. Comparing January through June inquiry requests from 1998 to 1999, there has been an increase of 54%. What follows is the shortened version of the statistics table maintained by the Archives. The breakdown is by the region state in which the information was needed; "non-state" refers to inquiries regarding general questions or those pertaining to a pastor's service.

Many congregations contact the Archives regarding records management issues. Issues include access for researchers, privacy concerns, and copyright. The Region 6 Archives has published a pamphlet designed to help congregations. The Archives recommends that congregations develop policies regarding the various issues that affect congregational record research. Clearly defined policies approved by the church council or congregation will be a great asset to every congregation. Please contact the Archives for the Brief Advice Guide.

The Region 6 Church Postcard collection continues to grow! Many congregations responded to the last call for sending the Archives their postcards, and hopes are high that more will arrive. You can help by donating any postcards or postcard photos of your church building ever produced by your congregation.

You can also help to document your congregation's history by donating a copy of histories and special publications to the Archives. If your congregation has not prepared a history, the Archives can help. Please contact the Archives for publications on how to prepare a congregational history, or you may want to consider attending one of the Congregational Archive Workshops scheduled. Just contact the Archives for more information.

This summer Trinity Lutheran Seminary offered high school seniors and graduates the opportunity to express their faith in a new manner. Rev. Ruth C. Fortis, Director of Mentoring Ministries at TLS, ran the Summer Seminary Sampler Program. It was a three-week residential program designed "to provide mission and learning opportunities for youth as together they explore Christian vocation and experience ways to serve through the church." Rev. Fortis asked if the Region 6 Archivist, Jeanene Letcher, would be a mentor one afternoon during each of the two programs. Jeanene gladly accepted.

Meeting with two students each session, Jeanene described her role as archivist for the region and interacted with the students as they discussed their call to service. The students participated in "the life of an archivist" when they researched a previously received inquiry of the Archives. All successfully located the requested information and learned that congregation research is not necessarily easy. Sara, Erin, David, and Jon walked away from their Archivist Mentor session with a better understanding of the job of Regional Archivist and what it takes to preserve our church's history.

If interested in more information on the Summer Seminary Sampler Program, please contact Rev. Ruth Fortis at Trinity Lutheran Seminary. 2199 East Main Street, Columbus, OH 43209. 614/235-4136. rfortis@trinity.capital.edu

The Region 6 Archives is always receiving valuable records that celebrate our history. What follows is a short list of records acquired by the Archives.

• ELCA KY, OH and MI closed congregational records
• Congregational histories
• ELCA Region 6 synodical records including published synod minutes, newsletters, council minutes, and videos
• Deceased pastor records and correspondence
• Various records of ELCA Social Service organizations
• ELCA Task Force on Ministry, Fred Meuser records
• LCA Ohio synod office records, including congregation and pastor information
• Minutes of the former Columbus, OH Lutheran Pastor Association, including information on the beginnings of St. Philip

 Several Region 6 congregations are celebrating landmark anniversaries in 1999.