CHICAGO (ELCA) --The archives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is expected to move in May to a new facility in Elk Grove Village, a suburb of Chicago, said the Rev. Lowell Almen, ELCA secretary, in a report to the ELCA Church Council during its meeting here April 9-12.
The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between its meetings of the Churchwide Assembly. Assemblies are held every other year; the next is August 16-22 in Denver.
Purchase of the new facility, about 1,000 sq. ft. larger than the present facility in Rosemont, Ill., was completed Feb. 26, Almen said.=20 The move is needed because the Village of Rosemont sought the present facility for development and purchased the building last fall. Most of the extra space in the new building is needed because of the archives' growth, he said.
"The new facility will ensure adequate care of our resources," Almen said. The ELCA is a steward of some "very valuable materials of our predecessor church bodies," he said, adding his office has sought to "very carefully" manage the historical materials.
The materials include a variety of documents on "cooperative Lutheranism," Almen said. Some materials are to be placed on microfilm soon to ensure their preservation, he said.
Elisabeth Wittman, chief archivist for the ELCA, is overseeing the planning for the new facility, Almen added.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
