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Northwest District (LCMS) Lutheran Women's Missionary League Records

 Collection
Identifier: NWD.28

Scope and Contents

The records contain convention proceedings, board minutes, programs from rallies and other events, correspondence, and publications of the LWML.

Dates

  • 1941 - 2012

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is available for research by appointment.

Conditions Governing Use Note

The Northwest District Archives is the owner of the materials in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League Collection and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Northwest District Archives before any reproduction use. Copyright resides with the creator of the documents or their heirs. The status of copyright is governed by the Copyright Law of the U. S. (Title 17, U.S.C.). In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Historical note

The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, at the 1938 national convention, resolved that the work of women in the church should be officially recognized and that a women's organization should be formed. As a result, a local committee in the Oregon-Washington District (now the Northwest District) was formed. Women from many congregations sent delegates to an organizational convention at Trinity Lutheran Church, Portland, Oregon, on April 29, 1942. Until a Synod-wide name could be chosen, the Oregon-Washington organization was known as the Federation of Lutheran Women of the Oregon, Washington and Idaho District. The convention of the national organization in Chicago in July, 1942, adopted the name "Lutheran Women's Missionary League." The term "International" was added a few years later in 1951. The first District convention was held at Zion Lutheran Church, Portland, in 1944.

The original objectives have not changed substantially over the years: (a) to develop and to maintain a greater mission consciousness among the women of Synod; and (b) to gather funds for mission projects, sponsored by Synod, especially such for which no adequate provision has been made in the budget.

The Oregon-Washington-Idaho District was the name from 1941-1947. As the organization grew, it was divided into smaller units and renamed as follows: In 1948 Idaho was released to join with northern Utah to form the Idaho-Utah District. The resulting Oregon-Washington District existed from 1948 to 1952. From 1952-1956 it was known as the Northwest District. The 1956 Northwest District LWML convention resolved to divide into two groups: the Oregon District and the Washington District. In 1964 the Alaska societies were assigned to the Puget Sound Zone of the Washington District; that District then became known as the Washington-Alaska District.

In 1953 the international convention of the LWML was held in Portland, Oregon.

Each district is divided into zones. The districts hold biennial conventions and publish a newsletter. The zones sponsor regular rallies and other events designed to achieve the objectives of the organization.

Extent

3.75 Linear Feet (in 3 records boxes.)

Language of Materials

English

Summary

Records of the Oregon, Washington-Alaska, and Utah-Idaho districts of the International Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in three series by region: Series I. Oregon. Series II. Washington-Alaska. Series III. Utah-Idaho.

Accruals

Further accruals are expected.

Separated Materials

Two large scrapbooks accompanied the original collection, one dated 1942 and the other 1952. They contained clippings, photographs, rally programs, name tags, other small memorabilia, and many items duplicated in the folders. The scrapbooks were in a greatly deteriorated condition. Therefore Photographs were removed and added to the general photographic collection (duplicates were retained in the collection). Clippings were photocopied and placed in a "Scrapbooks" folder. Sample rally programs were added to an existing folder.

Title
Guide to the Northwest District (LCMS) Lutheran Women's Missionary League Records An Inventory at the Northwest District (LCMS) Archives.
Status
Completed
Author
Nolan R. Bremer
Date
2012
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Northwest District (Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod) Archives Repository

Contact:
Northwest District Archives
Concordia University
2811 NE Holman St.
Portland Oregon 97211-6099 USA