The C. Wesley Christman Archives is located at the New York Annual Conference Center.20 Soundview Ave, White Plains, NY 10606 - 914.615.2241 - archives@nyac.com - www.nyac.com/archives

At its 2016 Annual Conference, held at Hofstra University from June 8-11, 2016, The New York Annual Conference celebrated 250 years since Philip Embury first preached to the small group that would become the first Methodist society in New York.

Inspired by the Commission on Archives and History’s project to tell the stories of 25 luminaries from the past 250 years, opening worship began with first-person readings from New York Conference hymn writers followed by singing of their hymns. These included:

• Phoebe Palmer Knapp (1839-1908) and the blind poet Fanny Crosby (1820-1915), who wrote the music and words, respectively, to “Blessed Assurance,”

• Anna Bartlett Warner (1827-1915), author of “Jesus Loves Me,” who lived with her sister on

Constitution Island and taught Bible classes to West Point students,

• Richard Watson Gilder (1844-1909), author of “To Thee, Eternal Soul, Be Praise” and a social activist in New York City, where he was chairman of the first Tenement House Commission,

• Caleb Thomas Winchester (1847-1920), professor of English literature and son of a Methodist minister, who wrote “The Lord Our God Alone Is Strong,” and

• Rev. William James (1915-2013), community activist and mentor, who wrote “Easter People, Raise Your Voices.”

Also participating in the readings were CAH Chair Leslie Reyman (Anna Bartlett Warner) and Vice-Chair Jerry Eyster (Richard Watson Gilder).

2016 Marks 250 Years of United Methodism in the New York area

This is My Story, This is My Song

During these 250 years, God’s work has been done throughout our conference and beyond...I hope that you will spend some time with these stories and consider what we can learn from their example. Because of their witness, I have been inspired anew to move into God’s desired future for us. I hope you will be also. -- from Bishop Jane Allen Middleton’s introduction to the 250th biographies, June 2016

Stories from the archives

New York Annual ConferenceC. Wesley Christman Archives Newsletter

FALL 2016

cont. on p. 2

Rev. Matt Curry as Caleb Winchester Rev. Ian Straker as Rev. Bill JamesRev. Kathryn Dickinson and Stephanie Parsons

as Phoebe Palmer Kanpp and Fanny Crosby

2 Christman Archives Newsletter Fall 2016

Conference Center RenovationYou may have heard that the NYAC Conference Center is currently undergoing renovation. We are excited to move into a renovated archives office when all is finished! The archives collections are in storage and largely inaccessible during this process, which is expected to continue into the Fall. Emails and phone calls are being answered promptly, but we appreciate your patience as some inquiries may take longer to answer than usual.

Are you overwhelmed with church records? Our next one-day in-person workshop on managing historical and current church records is planned for early spring, 2017. Check www.nyac.com/archives for details later this fall.

Local church grants awarded!Three grants were awarded

this spring, to the UM Parish in Bushwick and to Middletown UMC (both for archival supplies to rehouse historical records) and to New Paltz UMC (to preserve building plans and

drawings). The next grant deadline will be February

28, 2017 for projects to begin in June 2017. See www.

nyac.com/archives for details.

News from 20 Soundview Avenue

What’s Happening at the Archives

250 Years of Methodism (continued from p. 1)

This is Our Story...All Annual Conference attendees received a booklet with an introduction by Bishop Jane Middleton that included the 25 historical biographies produced by the CAH this year. Profiled were:

Barbara Heck, Philip Embury and Captain Thomas Webb; Francis Asbury; James Varick; Freeborn and Catherine Garrettson; Jesse Lee; Nathan Bangs; Mary Morgan Mason; Sojourner Truth; Phoebe Worrall Palmer; Fanny Crosby; Maggie Newton Van Cott; James Monroe Buckley; Frank Mason North; Frederick Asbury Cullen; Harry F. Ward; Lorenzo King; Chester Allen Smith; Ralph Sockman; Elsie F. Stowe; William Marcus James; Alfredo Cotto-Thorner; Roy C. Nichols; Shirley I. Parris; Amos Seung Won Rhee; and Paul Abels.

Much positive feedback was also received about the CAH 2016-17 Calendar of NYAC Historic Places, which was included in attendee packets and highlighted historic churches, conference institutions, and camps.

Annual Conference also featured several video highlights. Short CAH videos highlighting writings and speeches of ten of the 25 luminaries further developed their stories, and John Street UMC’s 250th anniversary video traced its past and looked forward to its future. The latter video was also presented by John Street’s pastor, Jason Radmacher, at General Conference this year. See www.nyac.com/historicplaces for a link to the video.

And finally, a 250 year timeline banner at the Archives and History display table helped to put the stories of the NYAC luminaries into historical context. The timeline included events from American Methodist and U.S. history alongside the lives of the 25 luminaries.

Conference Archivist Beth Patkus and CAH members enjoyed meeting and talking to old friends and new at the CAH table. We are excited to share the resources developed for Annual Conference with pastors and churches throughout the New York Conference!

Find us at http://www.nyac.com/archives or

call 914-615-2241 oremail archives@nyac.com

Fall 2016 Christman Archives Newsletter 3

Historical Resources for Local Churches

All of the resources produced for the 250th anniversary celebration are now available to local churches! See below for details, or visit www.nyac.com/250years.

New CAH Resources AvailableBiography BookletThe biographies of 25 luminaries from 250 years of NYAC history are available separately as downloadable PDF posters and bulletin inserts, and in a single commemorative booklet with an introduction by Bishop Jane Middleton. To download the biographies free of charge in all formats, visit www.nyac.com/250thbiographies.

250th Timeline (below)If you would like to order a printed timeline banner for your church like the one displayed at Annual Conference, you can order through Printmoz.com, which has the timeline on file. See www.nyac.com/250thtimelineandcalendar for ordering instructions, or to view or download a PDF of the timeline.

250th Anniversary VideosThe CAH has produced ten short (2-3 minute) videos that further highlight ten of the 25 luminaries from 250 years of NYAC history. Profiled are: Nathan Bangs, Phoebe Palmer, Maggie Newton Van Cott, Fanny Crosby, Frank Mason North, Ralph Sockman, Wiliam James, Roy Nichols, Shirley Parris and Amos Seung Won Rhee.

These videos are now available for for use in churches and programs on the Archives and History website (www.nyac.com/250thvideos). Note that the videos can be viewed online or downloaded for off-line viewing.

2016-17 Calendar of Historic Places

The calendar runs July 2016 to June 2017and includes:

Quinipet and Kingswood camps, Five Points Mission, Methodist Hospital, John Street UMC, New Paltz UMC, Bethel Chapel in Croton-on-Hudson, Jesse Lee UMC in Easton, Rhinebeck UMC, Commack UMC, Immanuel-

First Spanish UMC in Brooklyn, Vail’s Gate UMC, Lakeville UMC, Wesleyan University and Asbury Methodist

Cemetery.

A limited number of printed calendars are still available (email archives@nyac.com for information), or you can download the calendar in PDF format at

www.nyac.com/250thtimelineandcalendar.

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4 Christman Archives Newsletter Fall 2016

John Street UMC celebrates 250 years in October

In September and October, John Street UMC will hold several events to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the day Philip Embury preached his first sermon to the small group that would later form John Street Methodist Episcopal Church.

September 24, 2016: Anniversary Brunch Cruise - Make Your Reservation Today

Join your friends from John Street Church for brunch and a harbor cruise on Saturday, September 24, 2016. Departing from Chelsea Piers at 12:00pm, our group will enjoy a buffet, music, and the beautiful sights before returning at 2:00pm. Cost: $62.50 adult, $42.50 child (3-12 years), children under 3 do not need a ticket. Contact John Street UMC to reserve your tickets.

October 12, 2016: John Street Church’s 250th Anniversary Service

You’re invited to join the people of John Street Church, the nation’s oldest Methodist congregation, in worship at 7:00pm on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 as we celebrate our 250th anniversary. Bishop Thomas Bickerton of the New York Annual Conference will preach.

October 20, 2016: Museum Gala & Silent Auction

Join us on Thursday, October 20, 2016 from 6 pm to 9 pm for an evening of bluegrass music and delicious food as we celebrate our church’s history and raise money for our Capital Restoration Fund. You’ll also have the opportunity to bid on several fantastic items including a South African Safari, a Hudson Valley Golf Outing, and Broadway Tickets. Suggested Donation: $50

Please join in the celebrations! For additional information or tickets to the events, contact the church at info@johnstreetchurch.org.

John Street UMC Anniversary Events

Commission on Archives and History - Leslie Reyman, Chair Anna Bates - Lynda Gomi - Linda Kay Nealon - Seymour Thomas - Joanne Utley

Ross Williams, Treasurer - Beth Patkus, Conference Archivist

Bishop Thomas Bickerton will preach at John Street UMC’s 250th anniversary service on

October 12, 2016.

For a link to John Street UMC’s 250th anniversary video, visit www.nyac.com/historicplaces