USA > Pennsylvania > A History of the Church of the Brethren in southern district of Pennsylvania > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
"7. That at the expiration of this period, only the last three named may succeed themselves in office for a period of three years.
"Respectfully submitted,
"Mrs. Grace Ziegler,
"Mrs. C. E. Grapes,
"Miss Sudie M. Wingert, "Mrs. J. W. Whitacre." (Passed).
Copied from District Meeting minutes, 1932 :
The following officers were elected : President, Mrs. Grace Ziegler, (three years) ; vice presi- dent, Miss Margaret Oellig, (two years) ; secretary - treasurer, Mrs. C. E. Grapes, (two years) ; director of missions, Mrs. Harper Snavely, (one year).
It was decided that the officers of this meeting should draw up a resolution pledging our support to the preservation of the Eighteenth
MRS. GRACE ZIEGLER, First President of Women's Work.
368 HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Amendment to the Constitution and that this should be sent to the President of the United States and be published in the York City papers.
In the evening we showed pictures of our women at work in India, China, and Africa. Mrs. J. W. Whitacre led the devotions at this service. A gratifying interest was manifest in these meetings.
The minutes for 1933 are as follows :
The Woman's Work meeting for 1933 was held in the Hade Church, October 24, 2 P.M. Mrs. John Krape as chorister; worship service, Mrs. H. M. Snavely; business period; special music; talk, "Women's Ministry", Mrs. Florence Gibbel, Lititz, Pennsylvania; hymn 713; temperance talk, Mrs. D. K. Miller, Mechanicsburg; special music, ladies' quartet, Waynesboro, Pennsylvania ; "Our National Project", Miss Ida Shoemaker; offering; closing meditations, Mrs. J. E. Thomas.
At the business session of this meeting, Mrs. John Krape was chosen as director of missions.
Minutes for 1934 as follows :
"At two P.M. October 30, 1934, the women of Southern District of Pennsylvania convened in Women's Work meeting at the Huntsdale Church. The president of the organization presided. The first feature of this program was the business session, at which time Mrs. T. C. Stambaugh, Mrs. Lydia Gipe, and Miss Sudie Snively served as a nominating committee to choose persons for vice president and secretary-treasurer. Election of officers resulted in choosing: Vice president, Miss Ora E. Good, of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, (three years) ; secretary-treasurer, Mrs. Bertha Madeira, of York, Pennsylvania, (three years).
"Minutes of the last meeting were read by Mrs. C. E. Grapes and accepted by the organization. Mrs. Grace Ziegler gave a brief address urging the women to carry on to the best of their ability, to meet the goal of our project work. After which the following program was rendered with the theme- "Christ in the Life of the Home": Worship service, Mrs. Lydia Gipe, York, Pennsylvania ; talk, "A High School Girl's Prob- lems", Irene Shuman; talk, "Obligation of the Home as it Relates to These Problems", Mrs. J. A. Buffenmyer; special music, Ridge Ladies' Chorus ; talk, "The Pagan Home as Com- pared with the Christian African Home", Faye Moyer; offer- ing ; special music, Chambersburg Chorus ; closing meditations, Mrs. Emma Wadsworth; mizpah benediction."
Through the efforts of Mrs. Ziegler in the spring of 1935, (May), Mrs. Elizabeth Rosenberger Blough visited and addressed the mothers and daughters groups of the following churches : Waynesboro, Greencastle, Chambersburg, Shippens- burg, Carlisle, and Mechanicsburg. The only expense of this
369
WOMEN'S WORK ORGANIZATION
effort was Mrs. Blough's fare from Hatfield, Pennsylvania, which was cared for by contributions from these churches.
1935-Theme, "Christ in the Life of the Church": On Tuesday, October 29, 1935, at 2 P.M. the women of the district met for the Women's Work program in the Bunkertown Church of the Brethren, Lost Creek Congregation. The chorister, Mrs. John Krape, of York, Pennsylvania, led the song service, and the devotions were led by Mrs. M. J. Brougher. The business period was conducted after the usual routine of reports. At this time the vice president, Miss Ora E. Good, Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, presided, due to the vacancy caused by the death of our beloved president, Mrs. Grace Ziegler, who, in June of this same year, passed on to her reward. This made it necessary to elect a president, and Miss Ora Good, vice president, was chosen to that office. An election was then held to fill the office of vice president to which Mrs. J. I. Thomas, Smithsburg, Maryland, was called.
A form of resolutions upon the death of Mrs. Ziegler were prepared and signed by the Council of Women's Work in behalf of the organization. This paper was read and approved at this service, then forwarded to her bereft hus- band, a copy of which was placed upon the minutes of Women's Work secretary record.
The program continued with special music by the Roth Quartette; roll call and responses by District Aid Societies ; special music, Waynesboro ( Misses Oller and Gear- hart) ; offering, $21.08; spe- cial music, Waynesboro (Misses Oller and Gear- hart) ; closing devotions, Mrs. C. E. Grapes; receipts for the year 1934-1935, $341.29.
1936-Theme, "Christ in the Life of the Com- munity". On Tuesday, Octo- ber 29, the women of the dis- trict met in the Bermudian Church at 2 P.M. Song serv- ice, led by Mrs. John Krape, York, Pennsylvania; devo- tions, Mrs. John E. Rowland ; business, reports of secretary and treasurer, (at this ses- sion the election was held to fill the office of director of missions, Mrs. John Krape having served a term of three years; Mrs. H. M.
MRS. W. L. WIDDOWSON, Director of Children's Work.
370
HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Snavely, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was chosen to fill the office of director of missions; at a previous date, Mrs. W. L. Widdowson, Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, was chosen to the office of director of children's work in the district by the Board of Christian Education) ; music, York, Pennsylvania, Ladies' Chorus; reading, Lillian Arnold; talk, "Living Outside the Home", Mrs. H. M. Snavely; music, the Misses Shearer; address, "Work Among the Women in Africa", (missionary) Mrs. H. Stover Culp; offering, $17.35; prayer; receipts for the year 1935-1936, $266.36.
1937-Theme, "Christ in the Life of the World". Tues- day, October 26, the women of the district met in the Marsh Creek Church of the Brethren at 2 P.M.
Song service, Mrs. John Krape; devotions, Mrs. Miriam Boldosser; special music, Marsh Creek Aid Society.
Business, reports of the secretary and treasurer. At this time two terms of office expire, the secretary-treasurer, and vice president. A nominating committee provided names for nomination. Mrs. Bertha Madeira was re-elected secretary- treasurer and Mrs. J. I. Thomas was re-elected vice president.
Mrs. H. M. Snavely, Director of Missions, gave a report of her work. The mission study books were presented for the year's study.
In May of 1937 five of our groups of women in the district enjoyed the high privilege and pleasure of having Mrs. Minnie Bright, missionary to China, as their guest speaker at mother and daughter meetings. These were Mechanicsburg, Carlisle, Waynesboro, Weltys, and York.
This year six of our congregations were added to our group of contributors to the National Project Fund.
Special music, Miss Keeny; offering, $12.90; closing devotions, Mrs. J. I. Thomas; receipts for year, $301.57 (October 1936-October 1937).
1938-During the year 1938 the women of the district met in the New Fairview Church at 2 P.M. with the following program :
Opening song, "Breathe Upon Us Holy Spirit"; devotions, Mrs. S. S. Blough; opening remarks, by president, Ora E. Good ; music and business period ; at this time the president's term of three years (after a motion was made and carried that the ruling be set aside which provided for the president serv- ing only a period of three years) as found in minutes of District Meeting, 1931, Rules of Organization; the president was re- elected ; report of director of missions, Mrs. H. M. Snavely ; conference items, Mrs. L. K. Zeigler; music; talk, "Our Women's Work, Past and Present", Mrs. Eleanor Meritz ; talk, "Women and Youth of China", Mrs. I. E. Overholtzer (mis- sionary) ; offering amounted to $13.16; total receipts for the year, $347.61 (October 1937-October 1938).
371
WOMEN'S WORK ORGANIZATION
1939-The women of the district met in the Three Springs Church, Perry County.
Song service, Mrs. J. I. Thomas; opening song, "Fill Me Now"; devotions, Mrs. Mervyn Mensch; opening remarks, Miss Ora Good ; music, "Come Power of God", Good, Snyder, Thomas, Leiter; business, reports of secretary-treasurer read.
The director of missions term of office expired at this time and Mrs. H. M. Snavely was chosen to succeed herself. During the year in July our Women's Work Organization was asked to supply speakers for the Women's Work periods two days of Camp Harmony Adult Assembly. Mrs. L. K. Ziegler and Mrs. W. L. Widdowson served on these occasions.
Remarks by director of missions, Mrs. H. M. Snavely ; presentation of work for children, Mrs. W. L. Widdowson; reports of the work of each church in district; talk, Mrs. Irene Bittinger (missionary to Africa) ; music, "Send the Light", (quartette) ), Good, Snyder, Thomas, Leiter; offering, $13.79; receipts for year, $574.00 (October 1938-October 1939).
1940-The women of the district met in the Ridge Church, Cumberland County, October 29, at 1:30 P.M.
Song service, led by Mrs. Roth; devotions, Mrs. J. A. Buffenmyer; opening remarks, Ora E. Good.
Business, reading of secretary and treasurer reports. At this time we had the election for two officers, Mrs. Mary Volland, East Berlin, Pennsylvania, was chosen as vice presi- dent to succeed Mrs. J. I. Thomas. Mrs. Ruth Murphy Harlacher was chosen as secretary-treasurer to succeed Mrs. Bertha Madeira. Each of these out-going officers had very faithfully served two terms of office. Names were chosen by a nominating committee of three, and voted upon by ballot by delegates to this meeting.
Remarks by the director of missions, Mrs. H. M. Snavely ; special music, Roth Quintette; talk, "Our Relief Program", Mrs. L. K. Ziegler; talk, "Children's Work", Mrs. W. L. Widdowson; music, Roth Quintette; address, Mrs. E. K. Ziegler (missionary to India), subject, "Our Women's Project Working in Relation to Women in India"; offering and prayer, Mrs. J. A. Buffenmyer ; closing remarks and benediction, Ora E. Good; receipts for the year 1939-1940 (October to October), $579.24.
In July, 1940, the cabinet of Women's Work of Southern District of Pennsylvania selected the speakers and subjects for five periods of discussion on Women's Work at the Camp Harmony Adult Assembly. These speakers were to be chosen from the entire area of Pennsylvania, and the following persons responded :
Mrs. George Detweiler, subject, "Our Girls and the Prob- lem of Alcohol and Nicotine"; Mrs. H. B. Heisey, subject, "The Daughter and Her Mother"; Mrs. A. C. Baugher, subject, "Old Fashioned Virtues in the Home"; Mrs. Ernest Brumbaugh,
WOMEN'S WORK OFFICERS, 1941
First row, left to right: Mrs. H. M. Snavely, Mrs. C. E. Grapes, Mrs. Ruth Murphy Harlacher, Miss Ora Good, Mrs. J. I. Thomas. Second row: Mrs. Eliza Krape, Mrs. Bertha Madeira, Miss Margaret Oellig, Mrs. Mary Volland.
373
WOMEN'S WORK ORGANIZATION
subject, "Open Discussion and Question Box on Home Problems"; Mrs. J. I. Thomas, subject, "The Touch of His Hand".
The year 1940 brought to the work much suffering, sorrow and distress through the war devastation and entanglement in the far east. We, the women of the Southern District of Penn- sylvania, united to do our bit in helping to relieve the condi- tions of suffering and distress among these people, and to effect activity along this line, a letter was prepared for the people of our district urging them to respond to the call for used and new clothing, or money as they deemed wise and prudent. This was presented at the district ministerial and Sunday school meeting in August, 1940, and an effort was made to get it before each of our congregations.
In response many garments were made and used clothing contributed, also contributions of cash. These were sent to the Friends Committee store room in Philadelphia to await proper distribution. The gifts in money were taken care of by the Brethren headquarters at Elgin.
The foregoing closes the work up to January, 1941.
P.S .- 1. Each year envelopes are distributed to the various churches for the contribution to the National Project Fund which is for the education of women and girls in the schools of India, Africa, and China. The Southern District of Pennsylvania quota to this fund being $629.00 each year.
2. Early in January of each year a letter goes out to each church from the District President of Women's Work as a recognition and encouragement to each group to put forth every effort in helping lift women and girls of foreign lands as well as those of our own country, and it is our purpose through these efforts to bring to them a knowledge of Christ and His saving power which is for the entire human family.
Women's Work
The following is the amount of money received each year since the organization started, from October to October :
1931
$ 65.00
1932
254.52
1933
278.57
1934
341.29
1935
266.36
1936
301.57
1937
347.61
1938
574.00
1939
579.24
1940
514.39
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
374 HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
The following officers and terms of office January to January. Elections held in October.
For President-Mrs. Grace Ziegler served October, 1932, to June, 1935; Miss Ora E. Good served from January, 1936, to January, 1942.
For Vice President-Miss Margaret Oellig served from October, 1932, to October, 1934; Miss Ora E. Good served from October, 1934, to January, 1936; Mrs. Helen Thomas served from January, 1936, to January, 1941; Mrs. Mary Volland served from January, 1941, to January, 1944.
For Secretary-Treasurer-Mrs. C. E. Grapes elected and served from October, 1932, to January, 1935; Mrs. Bertha Madeira served from January, 1935, to January, 1941; Mrs. Ruth Murphy Harlacher served from January, 1941, to January, 1944.
The Director of Missions-Mrs. H. M. Snavely served from 1932 until 1933; Mrs. John Krape served from January, 1934, to January, 1937; Mrs. H. M. Snavely served from January, 1937, to January, 1943.
CHAPTER X
YOUNG PEOPLE'S WORK IN SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
The earliest record of district organization in young people's work in the Southern District of Pennsylvania is found in well kept minutes in the possession of Lillian Good, Waynesboro, the present secretary of the cabinet of the Western Zone organization of the district. The record shows that on April 20, 1933, Dan West, National Director of Young People's Work, met with a group of representatives from the young people of some of the surrounding churches (surround- ing Waynesboro) and chose Evelyn Benedict, of Waynesboro, director of young people's work in the Waynesboro Church, as chairman, and asked her to call another meeting. Accord- ingly another meeting was called at which a survey of possible activities beneficial to young people, was made. The group got no further than to agree that directed recreation was a need.
A second meeting was called in Waynesboro June 23, 1933, by Miss Benedict, young people from Waynesboro, Greencastle and Shippensburg being present. At this meet- ing the group felt that the most important problem facing them was that of becoming conscious of the fact that there was a place for them in the program of the church, and of pre- paring to fit into it. Plans were made for the first rally where these ideas might be stressed.
On July 9, 1933, another meeting of practically the same group was held in Waynesboro in charge of Miss Benedict. It was decided : to arrange for a rally at the Ridge Church; to invite all the members of the District Board of Christian Education to attend; to notify all the presiding elders and pastors of the Cumberland Valley of the rally, and invite them to attend.
The first rally was held at the Ridge Church August 5, 1933. First, the group numbering eighty-one, met in a grove at the home of B. Frank Johns in the afternoon for a period of discussion of problems and needs and goals. Two groups were formed and were directed in discussion by J. D. Reber, then pastor of the Shippensburg Church, and Levi K. Ziegler, pastor of the Waynesboro Church. The entire group joined to discuss the findings of the separate groups. Then followed a recreation period, lunch and vespers. Jesse Whitacre, then pastor of the Greencastle Church, was the vesper speaker. The evening session was held in the Ridge Church, in which
376 HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Levi K. Ziegler gave an address on "How Shall I Invest My Life", and officers were elected.
On August 10, 1933, Miss Benedict called a meeting of the officers and adult advisors at her home for the purpose of considering the advisability of petitioning the District Conference through the District Board of Christian Education to approve the new organization and to endorse its purposes. This petition was formulated and sent to the District Board of Education, but instead of the board sending it on to the con- ference it took full responsibility in giving its approval since it is responsible for the promotion of young people's work in the district. The board therefore wrote the petitioners assuring them of its approval and support.
ELDER J. E. ROWLAND AND WIFE First Director of Young People's Work.
Subsequent meetings were held in which such matters as the length of term of officers, the number of rallies a year, out- ings, etc., were discussed. The work is now fully under the direction of the District Board of Christian Education through the appointed director of young people's work.
Young people from the churches in the Cumberland Valley also during the years following the beginning of organ- ized young people's work in the district, participated in a young people's leadership institute once a year with the young people of the District of Middle Maryland.
The 1934 District Conference elected J. E. Rowland, then pastor of the Mechanicsburg Church, a member of the Board of Christian Education. In November of that year, he was appointed by the board to serve as district director of young people's work under its direction. He continued as such, by re-election, until he moved from the district August 28, 1940.
A geographical study of the district was made by the board in order that in the best way possible we might reach
377
YOUNG PEOPLE'S WORK IN SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
all of our young people, and solicit their interest and activity in this work. As a result the district was divided into three zones : the northern zone, to include all churches in Perry, Juniata, Snyder, Union, and Clinton Counties; the western zone, all churches in Cumberland, Franklin Counties and one in Maryland; the eastern zone all churches in York, Adams Counties and some in Maryland. A full core of cabinet officers was elected in each zone-president, vice-president, secretary- treasurer, and two adult advisors. Each zone set to work and held a Y. P. rally, spring and fall, using many of the young people in discussion of topics relative to young people, the church, Christian living, etc. Frequently we called in a speaker from outside of our group.
These meetings stimulated interest and sentiment, and many local churches organized their young people into active groups, some doing excellent work. The young people in the eastern zone became exceptionally active and beside their zone rallies, they held monthly peace conferences, fellowship meetings, etc. The young people in York, edited and pub- lished regularly a small paper in the interest of young people's work. For a number of years the eastern and southern dis- tricts cooperated in holding a mid-summer Young People's Conference. These meetings were alternate between the two districts. However, with a satisfactory understanding, these joint meetings were discontinued in the year 1936.
In the summer of 1937, the young people of the southern district held their own mid-summer conference at the Mount Olivet camp grounds near Dillsburg. These meetings were well attended, and afforded an opportunity for the young people of the district to fellowship together, and retain a unified spirit and interest. There was a growing sentiment for a district cabinet, in conjunction with the zone cabinets, which is in keeping with the young peoples organization of the church in general.
After a conference with the zone officers, and the approval of the Board of Christian Education, this organiza- tion was effected at the mid-summer conference held at Dillsburg June 30, 1940. A president, vice-president, secre- tary, and treasurer were elected as this cabinet, with one representative from each of the zones as additional members.
From funds accumulated from the rallies, and in public meetings, our young people contributed very liberally to the Y. P. project of the church, in general, world conferences, campers, camp workers, missions, and the Board of Christian Education. During this period of time a remarkable spirit of activity was developed among the young people, as well as much commendable work done.
The zone officers May, 1941, are: Eastern Zone-Presi- dent, Earnest Lefever, York; vice president, Vernon Grim, Hanover; secretary, Helen Myers, Hanover; assistant secre-
378
HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
tary, Esther Brant, Dallastown; adult advisers, Obed Frey, of New Freedom, and Jacob L. Miller, of York. Western Zone- President, William Boldosser, Carlisle ; vice president, Kenneth Faust, Chambersburg; secretary, Lillian Good, Waynesboro; treasurer, Dorothy Becker, Carlisle; adult advisers, Miss Margia Fox Henry and Mrs. Madeline Roth, Carlisle. Northern Zone-President, Raymond Beers, Oakland Mills; vice president, Gladys Shirk, Mifflintown; secretary, Ruth E. Kipp, Newport; treasurer, Vivian Mensch, Mifflinburg; adult
DISTRICT CABINET OF YOUNG PEOPLE
First row, left to right: Margaret Leas, Vice President; J. Linwood Eisenberg, District Director; Mildred Meals, Secretary-Treasurer. Second row: Raymond Beers, Northern Zone; Jack Milhorn, Eastern Zone; Ernest Lefever, Regional Director, Eastern Zone.
advisers, Mrs. John Boone, Loganton, and Earl S. Kipp, Newport.
The first district cabinet elected in 1941 consists of : Kenneth Monn, Waynesboro; vice president, Margaret Leas, York ; secretary-treasurer, Mildred Meals, York ; from Eastern Zone, Jack Milhorn, York; Western Zone, Ellis Bard, Chambersburg; Northern Zone, Raymond Beers, Oakland Mills.
Kenneth Monn was not able to accept the active presi- dency. Margaret Leas is serving in this capacity.
At District Meeting in October, 1940, J. Linwood Eisenberg, of Shippensburg, was elected to the Board of
379
YOUNG PEOPLE'S WORK IN SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Christian Education. At the meeting of Board of Christian Education held at the close of this District Meeting, J. Linwood Eisenberg was chosen by the board as district director of young people's work.
CHAPTER XI
EDUCATION
BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The present Board of Christian Education was created by District Meeting in 1924 under the name of "Sunday School Board". It consisted at first of five elected members plus the district Sunday school secretary and district Sunday school treasurer, making seven members in all. The name in 1928 was changed to "Board of Religious Education", and to the "Board of Christian Education" in 1932.
For a number of years, the chief work of this board was the conducting of young people's conferences jointly with Eastern Pennsylvania, the first of which was held July 26, 1924, in the Salunga Church of Eastern Pennsylvania ; as well as conducting young people's conferences of our own district.
Later on the work of social purity, and temperance was assigned to the board.
In 1930 the board was granted the privilege to arrange for the evening program on the evening of the ministerial meeting. This practice has still continued until the present time.
Southern District of Pennsylvania was divided into three zones, viz : northern, eastern, and western, for the purpose of more adequately caring for young people's work, children's work, and Christian education.
This work has been especially stressed since 1935.
The board published in 1937, "Studies in the Doctrine of Peace" through the General Board of Christian Education at Elgin. The general board did this service free for our board upon condition that the General Board of Christian Education might use this work throughout the entire Brotherhood.
Copies of these booklets were furnished free to the young people of our district who desired them.
The organization and duties of the board adopted in 1934 are as follows :
1. That the office of District Sunday School Secre- tary be discontinued.
2. That the office of District Sunday School Treas- urer be discontinued, and that his duties be
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.