---

"Managing Mennonite Memory"

---

Since 1911 the Mennonite Church has entrusted its memory and heritage to the Historical Committee of the Mennonite Church

Our mission is . . .

• to preserve our heritage
• to interpret our story
• to proclaim God’s work among us

Why is this mission important? Because . . .

• we have a biblical mandate
• we have a story to tell
• we have a faith to share
• we must discern the times
• we need to remember who we are
• God has been gracious and faithful
• we have a short memory

Yes, this mission is critical.

According to the Chicago Tribune, we are living now in a world under the spell of the tyranny of amnesia.

Author Leland Ryken said it this way:

. . . the tragedy of the moment is that people in our culture are increasingly
in the situation of Nicodemus in the New Testament: they are strangers to
what is best in their own traditions.

---

What shall we remember?

Let’s remember the story of Dirk Willems, whose love for God was expressed in compassion for the enemy.

Let's remember the story of Maeyken Wens, whos courageous witness still is heard today.

Let's remember the story of Annie Funk who gave her life to others even when the Titanic was sinking.

Let's remember the story of Sanford C. Yoder, cowboy, teacher, pastor, college president and mediator.

---

 

 

How do we . . .

preserve our heritage?

• collect papers, documents & correspondence
• organize these materials
• protect these collections

 

interpret our story?

• publish the Mennonite Historical Bulletin
• assist researchers
• provide resources
• make past experiences useful in the present

proclaim God’s work among us?

• preach
• teach
• write
• tell stories
• help new members learn our past

• ---

We are preserving over 900 personal collections.

These collections include the papers, letters, diaries, sermons and photos of people such as . . .

• Vesta Zook Slagel, 1891-1973
• Marlin E. Miller, 1938-1994
• John F. Funk, 1835-1930
• Orie O. Miller, 1892-1977
• J. D. Graber, 1900-1978
• John S. Coffman, 1848-1899
• Rowena Lark, ? - 1970 and
• James Lark, 1888-1978
• J. C. Wenger, 1900-1995
• Lina Zook Ressler, 1869-1948
• Elizabeth Horsch Bender, 1895-1988 and
• Harold S. Bender, 1897-1962

And we are preserving the official records of Mennonite Church agencies and ministries . . .

• African-American Mennonite Association
• Hispanic Mennonite Convention
• United Native Ministries
• General Board of the Mennonite Church
• Mennonite Board of Education
• Mennonite Board of Missions
• Mennonite Mutual Aid
• Mennonite Board of Congregational Ministries
• Mennonite Publishing House
• Mennonite Central Committee
  

---

 

Who are the Managers of Mennonite Memory?

 

The Historical Committee of the Mennonite Church:

• Lee Roy Berry, Goshen, Indiana
• Carolyn C. Wenger , Lancaster, Pa.
• Arlin D. Lapp, Harleysville, Pa., chair
• Franklin Yoder, Wellman, Iowa
• Susan Fisher Miller, Evanston, Illinois
• John D. Roth, Goshen, Indiana
• Kimberly D. Schmidt, Arlington,Va.
• Nate Yoder, Harrisonburg, Virginia
• John Thiesen, North Newton, Kansas

 

The Staff:

• John E. Sharp, director
• Dennis Stoesz, archivist
• Ruth Schrock, archives assistant
• Marilyn Voran, archives assistant
• Leonard Gross, retired
• Volunteers and students

---

 

How much money does it take to Manage this much Mennonite Memory?

 

Current budget: $162,403

 

Income:

• General Board              $70,903        44%
• Agencies                        30,000        18%
• MCC                             17,500        11%
• Grants                               5,000          3%
• Subscriptions, MHB          6,000          4%
• Services                            5,000          3%
• Honaria                             2,000          1%
• Contributions                  26,000        16%
  Total                             $162,403      100%

 

Needed:

• Current year contributions $26,000
• 100 new subscribers to the Mennonite Historical Bulletin
• Plus $230,000 for a new special project, Gutenberg to Gigabytes: Mennonite Archives for the 21st Century

---

 

How can you help?

• remember and tell your stories of faith
• support your congregational historian
• support your conference historian
• join the Mennonite Church Historical Association
• subscribe to the Mennonite Historical Bulletin
• make a contribution
  

Contact John E. Sharp, director
         Historical Committee & Archives of the Mennonite Church

---

Home
last updated 8 November 1999