VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS)-President Trinette McCray reported on Sunday, June 25th, to the General Board of the American Baptist Churches, USA, about her vision for providing Baptist youth with an understanding of their roots on which to build a healthy future. It is in that context, she explained, that the Historical Society plans to consolidate its collections and operations at a single location and is forward looking to aid a new generation in Baptist life. For this reason, the site and new partners selected will be a place of collaboration in this work of education and formation-not just a warehouse large enough to put "the stuff" in our holdings.
Those present voted to elect Garth Brokaw to the Historical Society's Board of Managers. Managers now include President McCray, Vice President Wesley Roberts, Treasurer Melva Gray, Secretary Carla Romarate-Kniple, Professional Standards Chairperson, Sally Dodgson, Development Chairperson Loris Coletta, and Research & Publication Chair Beverly Mitchell. Other continuing board members are Esther Irish (past president), Mary Alice Brake, Mary Purcell, Leroy Gilbert, William R. Scott, J. Samuel Escobar, John C. B. Webster, and Henry A. Pedersen, each of whom welcomes conversation about consolidation or other Historical Society concerns.
Reporting on operations, Executive Director Deborah Van Broekhoven thanked the many volunteers who assisted with the temporary move in Rochester and who rescue or sort records enabling staff to make new collections available to researchers. In order to reach more congregations with information about how to preserve and share their own history, she noted, the Historical Society is seeking representatives who are willing to take a display or otherwise share the Society's ministry of memory at meetings in their regions.
McCray and Van Broekhoven also invited General Board members and staff to an informal discussion about the three current sites under closest consideration: Canonicus Conference Center (RI), Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (Rochester, NY), and Mercer University ( Atlanta, GA). They explained the schedule for the decision, with revised proposals due by August 1 st, so that the full ABHS board can review and select the site at their meeting the third weekend of September, 2006.
Dr. McCray welcomed a variety of questions about each site as well as comments about other possible sites. She noted that now was the time for supporters to share information, comments, or concerns with the Historical Society board, since they would be comparing the merits of proposals in August in order to discern and make the best possible decision that would place the Historical Society in the mainstream of Baptist life and scholarly research and study. This move will be pivotal in bringing new relevance to Baptist history as it conveys messages for the present and future generations.
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches, USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/