# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S408 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SPECIAL AND SUNDRY MATTERS 409 date of closing, and after 50 years from the date of closing with the consent of the synodical President. 3. To Thank the LLL for Microfilm Support WHEREAS, The Lutheran Laymen’s League has rendered financial support to the Concordia Historical Institute for its photoduplication and microfilm program for 20 consecutive years; and WHEREAS, This support alone has enabJed the Institute to develop the largest single collection of Lutheran microfilm and photoduplicated resources, consisting of 1,405 rolls of film repre- senting over 1 million pages of text; therefore be it Resolved. That this 51st convention of The Lutheran Church ~— Missouri Synod express the Synod’s gratitude to the Lutheran Laymen’s League and all its members for 20 years of support to the synodical archives, the Concordia Historical Institute; and be it further Resolved. That this convention encourage the Lutheran Lay- men’s League to continue its support to the Institute in its efforts to preserve Lutheran documents, literature, and histori- cal resources, thereby enabling future generations to examine the history of Lutheranism in one location. Conclusion Richard Bartlett (1792—1837), New Hampshire Secretary of State, emphasized the importance of public archives this way: “To provide for the safe and perfect keeping of the public archives, is so obviously one of the first and most imperative duties of a legis- lature, that no argument could make it plainer to a reflecting mind. ... Everything which can be procured by money sinks to insignificance in comparison to the original records of the state. .. .’’ Archives are “of so priceless a value, that no money could purchase them of the poorest state of the union, or replace them once destroyed.” (Richard G. Wood, “Richard Bartlett, Minor Archival Prophet,” American Archivist. XVII [January 1954], 14-15) Church archives are no less priceless. They may even be more so, especially if they are people-centered. The Institute is people-centered. It files the resources left by people —our antecedents and our contemporaries. These re- sources in turn are consulted by people for the benefit of people. And all this is done to help demonstrate our Lord’s magnificent blessings through the Gospel. Gerhardt Kramer, President Otto A. Dorn, Vice-President Frederick Nohl, Secretary Harry L. Smith, Treasurer Aug. R. Suelflow, Director 9-03 Report of Black Centennial Committee The resolution ‘To Recognize 100th Anniversary of Ministry Among Black Brothers” (Res. 11-22, New Orleans convention) was part of the unfinished business referred in Res. 4-47 to the Board of Directors for action. The Board of Directors approved Resolution 11-22, which called for the following actions: 1. That the Synod proclaim the year 1977 for a synodical celebration of the Black Centennial. 2. That the synodical President, in consultation with the director, Department of Archives, Concordia Historical Institute, and the chairman of the Black Pastors’ Caucus appoint a special Centennial Committee which should do the following: a. Concretize a program whereby the church may be moved to repentance for missed opportunities and offer gratitude for the blessings of God over the years; b. Challenge the Synod to set positive goals for internal and external growth for the decade of the eighties; c. Present the particular problems of black congregations before the Synod in an ongoing manner; d. Advise the President of the Synod in the establishment of a massive recruitment program for minorities for the intensifica- tion of our ministry among all ethnic minority groupings. The Board of Directors approved the above resolution and referred it to the synodical President for action. President J. A. O. Preus, after proper consultation, appointed the following persons: J. G. Lavalais, William Griffen, DeWitt Robinson, P. R. Hunt, Albert Pero, Howard Foard, Kermit Ratcliffe, Willis Wright, Simon Bodley, August Suelflow, and Richard Dickinson. Since its appointment the committee has met twice as of this report. The major thrust of business for the committee has been to concretize a program for the Black Centennial that will edify, inspire, and challenge the full Synod to give thanks to God for His mercy, praise Him for His loving-kindness, and serve Him in the cause of more effective Kingdom building. Major consensus points reached by the committee and recommended to the convention are the following: 1. That the Black Centennial be observed by the entire Synod; 2. That the celebration extend over a full year; 3. That the celebration be put into motion at the synodical convention in 1977; 4. That the publicity and promotion for the celebration begin at the Anaheim convention in 1975: 5. That there be a scroll and proclamation of the event issued by the President of the Synod; 6. That the centennial celebration have an emblem, theme, and motto; 7. That the history of the involvement of The Lutheran Church-— Missouri Synod in ministry to blacks in the U. S. be collected and written from the black perspective; 8. That the centennial celebration at the ’77 convention include a full service with a black pastor delivering the sermon; 9. That literature and other materials be proposed and pro- duced to aid in local celebrations of this event; 10. That there be a Synodwide thankoffering in connection with the celebration, the proceeds to be used for recruitment and financial assistance to black professional and prospective black church workers. J. G. Lavalais, Chairman R. C. Dickinson, Secretary 9-04 Report of American Bicentennial Committee The American Bicentennial Committee was appointed by the synodical Board of Directors in pursuance of New Orleans Resolution 11-06 (Proceedings. 1973, p. 214). It asked “to enable our church body to participate with Christian propriety and dignity in this great historical commemoration.” The committee, serving as a catalyst and coordinator of synodical departmental plans and programs, has met with 20 executive secretaries, heads of departments and agencies of the Synod to discuss their possible plans for participation in this observance. The committee will continue to attempt to stimulate, encourage, and provide assistance on all synodical levels to prepare a meaningful observance of the nation’s 200th birthday. Information has been channeled and will continue to be disseminated to the respective synodical levels where it may be useful, as well as to all synodical schools, day schools, and Sunday schools. The committee is preparing worship materials in order to offer a variety of orders of worship services, some dating back to the colonial Lutheran period, some of a contemporary type, some of a traditional character, and still others of an innovative nature geared to the Synod’s youth. A parish packet will also contain a collection of appropriate hymns and prayers plus resource references. The committee assisted the synodical President in issuing a proclamation at the Anaheim convention, urging all of the mem- bers of The Lutheran Church~- Missouri Synod within the con- fines of the United States of America to participate in the historic commemoration of our nation’s birth. A symbol and theme have been prepared for use during the ongoing cele- bration, beginning in September 1975 and continuing through 1976. The banner to be displayed during the convention was also prepared to note the religious aspect of our celebration.