Why Church History Is Important? Rog Hiemstra

Transcription

1 Why Church History Is Important? Rog Hiemstra

2 More Important Why Are We Here? Our own love of history we get it! Our devotion to our church s history Its protection, preservation, and promotion Helping others recognize its value/importance Our desire to improve as church historians To learn new ways of doing things To see how other churches approach history Our desire to network with kindred souls

3 What Will Be Covered Today The why, how, and needed policies Gathering/inventorying/storing (WS A a.m.) Preserving/digitizing media (WS B a.m.) Preserving paper products (WS A p.m.) Oral histories/interviewing (WS B p.m.) Using the WWW/displays/services to portray and promote history Charge for back home activities

4 What You Will Receive Today A resource booklet supplementing the various presentations An opportunity to learn how we and other churches approach preserving history Many tips on collecting/preserving/promoting /maintaining a history collection An opportunity to network with others interested in church history

5 The Importance of an Active History Committee People Who Can Specialize in Needed Areas George Adams - Inventorying Alexa Carter Paper Preservation Mary Louise Edwards Oral Histories Rog Hiemstra Committee Chair/Oversight Harsey Leonard Media Preservation June Card & Verah Johnson Ex-Officio Several ad hoc volunteers

6 The Importance of a History Collection Policy & Guidelines [A Sample Document see references section to access the entire document]

7 Its Important To Be Realistic About Resource Needs It takes money each year to carry out preservation activities It takes many human resources, too, so recruit volunteers It takes time, so don t expect to accomplish everything over night It takes commitment on the part of staff and church leaders to make it all work

8 Why Is It Important To Preserve our Church History? It is Your Turn Now! (we will record some of your thoughts and then suggest some of our own)

9 Why Is It Important To Preserve our Church History? It can teach us in the present (knowing about past mistakes, successes, etc. provides a foundation for moving forward) History harbors the beauty of our past (our social justice achievements, our importance within the community, our religious successes, etc.) History helps us understand people (past lay and religious leaders, notable members, etc.)

10 Why Is It Important To Preserve our Church History? It helps us understand societal and religious change and how we have adapted to it History helps us understand behavioral change (how we dealt with difficult situations, how we forgave, how we adapted, etc.) History is important to our own lives knowing the wonderful history of our religious community gives us direction and hope for our own future

11 Why Is It Important To Preserve our Church History? History contributes to moral understanding knowing something about the moral tests weathered by our religious ancestors allows us to test our own moral sense History provides identity when we can point with pride to past church accomplishments Perhaps most important, history can be an important source of inspiration as we give thanks to past leaders and strive to follow their examples

12 Ideas for Promoting History In Your Church Our Experiences Regular newsletter articles Displays Special services (summer service, dedication services, etc.) Presentations Work with the religious education program Recruiting volunteers for ad hoc needs Web page (information and links)

13 Marvelous History Corner [Newsletter Article Sample see references section for more samples]

14 Displaying Past Ministers Photos The references in your resource packet contain web site links to the dedication service associated with these photos.

15 Info. Tables, Presentations, Sunday Services, Workshops Albany UU Church District Workshop Auburn UU Church Sunday Service Geneva District Workshop Panel Member May Memorial Sunday Service May Memorial Religious Education Classes May Memorial Annual Women s Luncheon May Memorial Social Gathering Info. Table May Memorial Sunday Soc. Hall Info. Table

16 Using Church Web Pages

17 Special History Projects Dedication Services Gravestone Photos on the Web Page History Display Case Memories Wall/Ministers Photos Photographing Membership Book Photographing Past Church Locations Plaques Honoring Past Leaders Restoring Honorific Marble Tablet Sam May Web Page

18 Syracuse University Archives Repository Agreement [Sample of Our Agreement see references section for the complete agreement] Signed, July 7, 1995

19 Preparing for the Future! We encourage you to begin digitizing as much of your history collection as possible: Electronically scan or digitally photograph papers Electronically scan or digitally photograph photos Convert slides & microfilm to digital formats Convert VHS tapes to mpeg files Convert audio tapes to mp3 files

20 A Decision-Making Process You Can Use Develop a mission/purpose Find interested people with a passion Inventory what you have Set some long term collection goals, such as preservation, storage, digitization, etc. Rank those goals Select 3-5 targets you can accomplish each year

21 Now, It Is Your Turn Again What are your questions? What are your specific needs? Share your own experiences!