Historical Files and Constitutions n.d., 1908, 1938, 1942, 1946, 1958.

ArchivalResource

American Evangelical Lutheran Church. Women's Mission Society. Historical Files and Constitutions n.d., 1908, 1938, 1942, 1946, 1958.

Historical Files and Constitutions n.d., 1908, 1938, 1942, 1946, 1958.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/51112218

The material in this series pertains to the history of the American Evangelical Lutheran Church (AELC) Women's Mission Society (WMS) and includes undated records as well as scattered records from 1908, 1938, 1942, 1946, and 1958. Typewritten and printed materials were generated by the society as observations of society milestones and in the creation of a written history for an organization, that until 1938, kept few records. Records include a booklet written in 1946 containing a history of the WMS written by honorary WMS president Mrs. Mary Knudstrup; essays pertaining to Santal Mission work, WMS president Karoline Kjolhede, and the future of the WMS; the WMS financial statement for the fiscal year 1945; a copy of "rules" created when the society was founded in 1908; and a summary of WMS work from 1908-1938, written by WMS secretary Mrs. Anna J. Stubb. Mrs. Stubb wrote this history because until she became the society's secretary in 1938, no records were kept of any society meetings or reports. She believed a record of the society's first 30 years was needed. There is also an issue of the AELC publication Lutheran Tidings devoted to the history of the WMS one the occasion of its 50th anniversary. The series also includes two typewritten, undated copies of the WMS constitution. They appear to be the same version, except that one copy contains a reference to temporarily extending the term of district representatives in 1943. The constitutions are brief and do not have accompanying bylaws. The five constitutional articles address issues regarding the society's name, purpose of the organization, who was eligible for membership, how contributions were collected, who comprised the Executive Board and their terms of office, and how individual congregations would apply for aid from the society.

1 box.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library, ELCA Library