Showing 38 results

Archival description
John Gordon Howard Papers
US NjMdUMCG 591 · Collection · 1830-1972

This collection contains much that is relevant to the history of the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Included are various essays, publications, clippings and reports related to the Church. These encompass many subjects, including the faith of the Church, the activities of the church in Howard's time, and the eventual union between the Evangelical United Brethren and the Methodist Churches to form the United Methodist Church in 1968. Related to this topic and of particular interest is an issue of The Evangelical Challenge which speaks vehemently against the merge. Howard. This includes speeches and articles about him.

There is some correspondence to and from Howard and his family. There is also some information about his father, A.T. Howard, who was also a bishop of the Evangelical United Brethren, including a poem and some quotations by him, and an essay and an article about him. There are a few photographs in the collection as well, and a few notes that seem to have been made by Howard. 1873. The writer of this diary is an unknown woman. There is also a manuscript entitled A Key to the Holy Scriptures and to the most essential Knowledge of the Christian Rules of Life printed in 1830. There are two documents relating to the one-hundreth anniversary of Benjamin Hanby's classic Christmas song, "Up On The Housetop."

Howard, John Gordon
John Samuel Stamm Collection
US NjMdUMCG 3691 · Collection · 1912-1963

The John Samuel Stamm Collection is comprised of two series. In the first series there are three typed manucript volumes which include lectures, Bible studies, and orientation messages delivered to Evangelical Seminary students in 1955. Other bound manuscript volumes include a commentary on I Thessalonians; an autobiobraphy; two volumes of sermons; letters of appreciation on the occasion of Stamm's retirement as well as a volume of Remembrances; and a history of the proceedings in the union of the Church of the United Brethren and the Evangelical Church. The second series is comprised of two scrapbooks containing clippings, articles, and expressions of appreciation at the time of his death.

Stamm, John Samuel
Kazuyoshi Kawata Collection
US NjMdUMCG 729 · Collection · 1924-1990

Kawata's work as a missionary, scientist, scholar, and humanitarian are reflected in this collection. Correspondence, photographs, legal papers, and reports on community improvement projects make up the series on his early life in schools, Japanese-American internment camps, and the mission field in India. Correspondence, academic papers, and published articles and monographs represent his university and publishing life. The publications series also contains articles by Kawata on such topics as the internment camps, prejudice in South Africa, and the U.S. military.

Kawata, Kazuyoshi
Mellony Turner Collection
US NjMdUMCG 3830 · Collection · 1908-1963

The Mellony Turner papers primarily documents her life as a missionary in Bulgaria. There is a number of records on the American School for Girls in Lovetch, consisting of photographs, textbooks, yearbooks, and financial records. Turner's notebooks and lecture notes are included in the collection. It should be noted that there is a single folder containing information on closing the school. Turner kept diaries during her tenure in Bulgaria as well extensive correspondence. There are general images in both photograph and slide format ranging from the royal family of Bulgaria to her own family in the United States. Turner has a copy of a sermon by Bishop Burt; the bishop who had established the Bulgarian mission at the beginning of the twentieth century. Clippings and other types of publications reflect Bulgarian life and politics. There are eight lectures and a sermon written by Turner. Artifacts are personal in nature, reflecting the clothing and accessories of mid-twentieth century Bulgarian dress. There is a pot in the artifact series as well.

The other series within the collection reflects Turner's immediate family. The few records relating to her parents deal with their will and a folder of letters. Mellony's brother, Ewart Turner's three folders are related to his spying for the United States War Department during the World War II. Though he was ministering to a church in the United States during the war, Ewart was familiar with German communities in Europe and South America. The War Department had Turner collect information on Germans, in the U.S., who were thought to be a threat to national security during the war. This information is elucidated in a correspondence folder.

Turner, Mellony
US NjMdUMCG 5849 · Collection · 1965-2010

Currently the collection's MUPWJ documentation comes solely from Howard Hallman's office. Both paper and digital born records illustrate how MUPWJ started out as a small, volunteer group of United Methodist clergy and laity to give voice against nuclear weapons and support the idea of mutual destruction deterrence. The records show how Hallman's drive to make a larger coalition amongst other religious bodies and then like-minded nonprofit, non-governmental organizations that share MUPWJ core values in order to create a more unified strong voice for justice and peace in the world.

The records show how far reaching MUPWJ and its coalition organizations cajoled, lobbied and confronted from lowest to the highest levels of government in order to halt nuclear testing, end nuclear deterrence policies and chemical weapons development and their usage. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and Non-Proliferation Treaty ratifications make up a majority of the records going into and beyond the 21st century. There are also documents related to stopping the spread of nuclear weapons expansion in non-nuclear countries with India and Pakistan serving as case tests. Additionally, there are emails discussing the ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Further documents record how MUPWJ took an active role in trying to block any American military activity in Afghanistan and the Gulf region as it continued to escalate under various presidential administrations. Once war became inevitable, MUPWJ called for quick endings to all fighting with just resolutions. They augmented their antiwar stance in order to achieve a sustainable peace by lobbying the United States government and other first world powers through coalition building of like-minded groups by lobbying both in personal visits and writing government leaders.

By 2004, documents show there was a series of conferences, recommended publications, outreach programming to local church study groups and other venues to discuss the idea of a theologically just war concept in light of theological pacifism. As a result the subsequent discussions and advocation of peace were filtered through Albert Outler's intellectual Wesleyan Quadrilateral of four theological categories: Scripture, Tradition, Reason and Experience in order to create a deeper and more relevant theological construct to change or reject the idea of a just war. As typical of Hallman's leadership, the conversation ranged across a broad spectrum led by ideas from prominent scholars representing related disciplines and multi-denominational peace statements. Also documented is how in the late 1980s MUPWJ took up the cause to end the Reagan era Star Wars Strategic Defense Initiative as part of its larger anti-nuclear proliferation goal.

Peace Leaf, along with the shorter Peace/Justice Alert are the official MUPWJ publications. Letter and later email campaigns to Methodist Church leaders, domestic and foreign political officials and staffs, various forms of news outlets, local church programs, special events and a robust website enabled MUPWJ to further its mission.

There are complete manuscripts and supporting documents of Hallman’s personal writings and subsequent submissions to various agents or publishers.

Methodists United For Peace With Justice
Mildred Anne Paine Papers
US NjMdUMCG 4671 · Collection · 1914-1979

This collection of personal papers of Mildred Anne Paine includes 23 diaries and journals, photographic images, correspondence, clippings, and biographical miscellany, most of which concern her years of missionary work. The correspondence includes personal, business, and Dear Friends letters.

Most of the diaries contain additional related information tucked between the pages, including letters, poems, prayers and newspaper clippings. The completeness of entries varies from year to year, with the most detailed and personal information from 1957-1974. Some years are missing from this collection, particularly in the period of 1926-1943. The entries are generally written in reflection of the day at hand, noting activities both personal and missionary related, daily concerns and observations, and interactions with colleagues, staff, family, and friends.

This collection also contains genealogical information, including a hand-inscribed book of births, deaths, and marriages dating from 1830, created by Paine’s Aunt, Rena W. Goldsmith. Additionally, Paine kept a birthday book of friends and family dating from 1914.

There are eight audio cassettes of Bishop Arthur James Armstrong teaching Bible themed topics at an unidentified meeting or retreat in 1977.

Paine, Mildred Anne
US NjMdUMCG 576 · Collection · 1958-1986

Records in the Paul Washburn papers primarily reflect his professional life. Documents illustrate his pastoral philosophy even when administering denominational work on both a national and international scale. This is evident in the kinds of records such as sermons, Bible studies, episcopal messages and ecumenical discussions. Global interests are manifested with his work at the General Board of Global Ministries, General Board of Christian Unity which reflect contemporary views for the period reflected in related documents. As co-chair of the important United Methodist - Roman Catholic Dialogue, which came from his work with Christian Unity, is rooted in his Evangelical United Brethren Church roots of ecumenical understanding and cooperation. Perhaps his greatest contribution to the church came as Executive Secretary for the group responsible to administratively pull off the merger between the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren churches which is amply documented in the collection..

Washburn, Paul Arthur
US NjMdUMCG 1415 · Collection · 1960-1984

This collection deals with the elimination of the Central Jurisdiction, the all-black, non-geographic jurisdiction created by the Plan of Union in 1939. Many African-American Methodists protested in 1940 against the Plan of Union because it divided the jurisdiction on racial lines.

The collection consists of printed documents related to the elimination of the Central Jurisdiction including: Cincinnati Exploratory Meeting (May 26- 28, 1962); Report of the Central Jurisdiction Study and Research Committee; An Approach to the Central Jurisdiction Problem of the Methodist Church, Pre-Conference Reflections of the Jurisdictional Problem of the Methodist Church; Summary of Proposals Regarding the Central Jurisdiction; Program and Procedures for Abolishing the Central Jurisdiction; Proposed Solution to the Central Jurisdiction Problem; Proposals Suggested for Consideration by the Special Exploratory Conference of the Central Jurisdiction; The Problem of the Central Jurisdiction and the Methodist Church; Plan for Completing the Elimination of the Central Jurisdiction; Basic Premises and Responsibility of the Central Jurisdiction Study Committee; Central Jurisdiction Exploratory Meeting (March 26-28, 1962; Introductory Statement; Study document on Realignment of the Central Jurisdiction; Creative Pursuit of an Inclusive Church; Letters of transmittal (1964).

Murray, Peter
Raymond J. Wade Papers
US NjMdUMCG 582 · Collection · 1916-1969

Material in this collection that relates to women include records from the World Federation of Methodist Women, notes from Wade's second wife, and an address by Emily Smith. Those records that relate to the World Federation of Methodist Women include articles, correspondence, a constitution, treasurer's reports, and signatures from representatives. The inclusive dates are 1936-1961, with the bulk of the material from the 1940s. Also included in Bishop Wade's papers are travel notes and observations from 1949 by his second wife. There are also several copies of an address given by Emily Smith in 1934 regarding Africa.

This collection consists of sermons, notes, photographs, legal documents, reports, clippings, correponsdence, and an artifact, reflecting mainly Bishop Wade's professional life. Also includes materials relating to the trial and prosecution of Bishop Anton Bast.

There is a microfilm (1892-1946) of his papers and manuscripts located in the library.

Wade, Raymond J.
US NjMdUMCG 4951 · Collection · 1968-2012

The records of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW) encompass its beginnings as a general agency and continues up to the early twenty-first century. Its primary role is advocacy for women both within and beyond United Methodism. Over time advocacy would be expanded beyond just women roles and acceptance as leaders. Responsibilities in their defined mission include workplace and sexual harassment, equitable leadership roles and benefits in relation to gender and race, legislation to General Conference such as changing language usage in the Book of Discipline to codify improvements for women and social issues relating thereof. These are but a few examples of its advocacy work for the denomination.

In order to support, empower and educate the denomination on all levels within COSROW’s defined responsibilities can be found in the Advocacy, Audio-Visuals, Connectional Ministries and Printed Matter series. Here the researcher will find a plethora of avenues by which COSROW fulfills its mission through multimedia, mailings, newsletters such as the Yellow Ribbon and The Flyer, correspondence, creation and submission of petitions to General Conference along with organizing and informing delegates, worship resources reflecting various women’s concerns and expressions, pamphlets, workshops and monitoring seminaries and all the boards and agencies throughout the connectional structures within the larger church.

COSROW is highly organized in the sense of resourcing and utilizing its membership both on the general church and annual conference levels. The creation of a talent bank in which to draw upon not only for its own qualitative work but also to network skilled individuals is but one of the creative ways COSROW optimizes its impact on the church despite its small staff. The records illustrate how the role of monitoring became a defining part of its work. Social justice issues related to women and children are amply documented in the files. The genesis of using non-gender specific language issue to promote inclusiveness within United Methodism can be traced here as well.

The Financial and Administration series reflects how COSROW ran its organization and implemented its mission on a daily basis. Minutes of the various committees, reports on the work and funding of the commission, along with membership records and the General Secretary’s office files make up the primary documents in this series. A researcher will notice multiple files on the same topics. The reason for this duplication rests upon the original organizational structure the commission utilized for an egalitarian General Secretariat rather than a typical top-down corporate management structure found in other United Methodist agencies. Later COSROW adapted the latter structure out of necessity. On another note it should be noted that COSROW often recorded their meetings in various media platforms which became the official record.

United Methodist Church (U.S.). General Commission on the Status and Role of Women