The
FRAKTUR FOLK ART Unique Ornamental Embellishment SCHWENKFELDER LIBRARY & HERITAGE CENTER Fraktur Collection
T R A D I T I O N S
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Editor: Gerald A. Heebner Business Manager: Michelle Pritt Design: Robin Hepler, robindesign@rcn.com Artist: Frank Batson Photographer: Lee Schultz Reporters: William Potts, IV, Central Rev. Edward O. Winslow, Missionary Leah Tyson, Olivet Karen Kriebel, Palm Diana Weir-Smith, Perkiomen School Glenna R. Fulmer, In Retrospect
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In this Issue
Publication Committee Rev. David W. Luz, Chair Jean S. Ross, Secretary Luanne Stauffer, Treasurer Publication Office Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center 105 Seminary Street Pennsburg, PA 18073-1898 THE SCHWENKFELDIAN is published during the Winter, Spring, and Fall quarters by the General Conference of the Schwenkfelder Church, under the direction of the Publication Committee, in the interest of the churches. Material presented in this magazine does not necessarily represent the beliefs and teachings of Schwenckfeld or the Schwenkfelder Church.
KING OF INSTRUMENTS Palm Schwenkfelder Church dedicates a new organ.
DANIEL SUDERMANN Exploring the literary history, poems, and publications of a devoted South German Schwenkfelder.
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CHURCH BRIEFS Updates from Central, Olivet, and Palm.
PERSONAL NOTES Marriages, births, and deaths.
If you move, please advise us promptly, giving both your old and new addresses to ensure uninterrupted delivery. To discontinue mailings, email info@schwenkfelder.com or call 215679-3103.
IN RETROSPECT Looking back at the accomplishments of members.
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$12.00 per year, $5.00 per copy. Free to each Schwenkfelder Church member household.
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VORSCHRIFTEN Samples from the Fraktur collection of the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center.
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UPCOMING EVENTS Friends of the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center.
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ISSN 0036 8032
ABOUT OUR COVER
Fraktur art was created by Pennsylvania Germans principally from the mid-18th to the mid-19th centuries. The name is derived from a German script marked by fractured pen strokes and the form has clear roots in European folk culture. Generally, the text of the piece is central to the composition and is surrounded by ornamental embellishment. In the United States, Fraktur blossomed into a uniquely rich, colorful, and iconographic form of expression that was used to mark life events such as births, baptisms, graduations, and other special occasions.
DanielSudermann GERMAN SCHWENKFELDER
T
BY ALLEN VIEHMEYER
he vault in the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center holds hundreds of manuscripts and books immensely important for understanding the social, political, and literary history of the Schwenkfelders. The extensive collection of written and printed documents is amazing and just ready to be mined for their stories about Schwenkfelders throughout the centuries. Many, many stories about Schwenkfelder men and women can be found among these treasures. One of these most interesting stories is about Daniel Sudermann.
Over the centuries, several people wrote in the blank space inside the front cover of Caspar Schwenckfeld’s Bible. At the very top of the space are lines, written in 1555, by Schwenckfeld designating Kathrina Streicher as the heir of the Bible upon his death. The large block of writing below Schwenckfeld’s lines is by Daniel Sudermann, who tells whose hands the book passed through before it came to him. On the title page, Sudermann wrote a poem in red ink just to the right of the word Teutsch.
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SUDERMANN’S LIFE Like most personages of sixteenth century Germany there are relatively few details about Sudermann’s life. He, himself, left a few notes about his life, but most of what is known has been gleaned from a variety of documents. Sudermann was born in Liège, Belgium, near the German border in 1550. His first language was French and he always lived in border areas where French and German were spoken by the inhabitants. Almost all of the manuscripts and publications authored by Sudermann that survive to this day were written in German. In 1624, Sudermann wrote a mini-autobiography: “D.S. was born in 1550. He was Catholic, but in 1558 he went to a Calvinist [Reformed Lutheran] school. He also went to hear Evangelical Lutheran and Anabaptist sermons. In 1594, he came to realize the truth [became a Schwenkfelder]. In 1624, he wrote these lines. He was 74 years old and still strong, healthy, and active. Praise Christ. 1628, 1629, God be praised 1630, 1631.” Since this running commentary was no longer updated after 1631, it is assumed that Sudermann died in 1632. Sudermann’s father, Lambert (1520-1564), was an engraver and goldsmith. He traveled extensively and spent much time at the courts of German and French nobility, and Daniel seems to have always traveled with him. While not of aristocratic background, Daniel was acquainted with many noble families and moved easily in their circles. In 1559 or 1560, Sudermann received his first tonsure [hair clipping or head shaving signifying admission to the clerical state—Ed.]. Like many young clergy of the day, Sudermann began his career by working as a private tutor to the sons of nobility. Around 1581, Sudermann took up residence permanently in Strassburg and lived there for the remainder of his life. He took a teaching appointment at the Bruderhof, a Lutheran boarding school for the sons of nobility. During his early years in Strassburg, Sudermann began collecting, copying, and publishing manuscript writings of mystics and spiritualists. His favorite mystical theologian was Johannes Tauler (c. 1300-1361); Caspar Schwenckfeld (1489/90-1561) was his favorite spiritualist. Like Sudermann, Schwenckfeld, too, had been very interested in the writings of Johannes Tauler. Early in his theological studies, Schwenckfeld read and quoted often from Tauler’s sermons. Finding inspiration and support in Tauler for his views on communion, Schwenckfeld published an edition of Tauler’s Christian Instruction in and an Understanding of the External and Inner Word of God around 1550. Later Sudermann made a manuscript copy of this very book, perhaps with the intention of publishing his own edition. In 1582, Sudermann visited the Barons von Freyberg where he likely made his first acquaintance with Schwenckfeld writings. The brothers had financed the first published collected works of Caspar Schwenckfeld between 1564 and 1570. Soon after, between 1584 and 1589, Sudermann edited and reprinted five different Schwenckfeld titles. He published or reprinted another 25 titles between 1590 and 1594, when, according to his mini-autobiography and exhaustive study of Schwenckfeld’s writings, he became a Schwenkfelder. Sudermann’s next project was devotional literature by mystical writers. In 1592, the St. Nikolaus Convent closed in Strassburg and Sudermann was, then, able to acquire a number of manuscripts of writings by early mystical theologians. Between 1594 and 1610, he studied the writings of Johannes Tauler (1300-1361), Meister Eckhart (1260-1328), and Heinrich Seuse (1297-1366). One product of
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Sudermann’s study of Johannes Tauler’s works was his reworking of a Tauler poem (something he did quite often). Today, the poem is known as “Es kommt ein Schiff geladen” (“A Ship is coming Full-Laden”). This song, considered to be a Christmas carol, is a seasonal favorite in Germany today—the only Christmas carol adapted/authored and published by a Schwenkfelder poet.
EMBLEM BOOKS Beginning in the early 1620s, Sudermann published a series of emblem books, a type of fashionable devotional literature with texts and illustrations for meditation. This was the result of his study of the mystical writers. One of the more popular books published by him was the Hohe geistreiche Lehren und Erklärungen: Ueber die fürnembsten Sprüche des Hohen Lieds Salmononis, von der liebhabenden Seele, das ist, der Christlichen Kirchen und ihrem Gemahl Jesu Christo. The title informs the reader that he/she will find spiritualistic teachings and clarifications about passages in the Song of Solomon, about the devoted soul, namely the Christian Church and her groom Jesus Christ.
SCHWENCKFELD’S BIBLE In 1609, or shortly thereafter, Caspar Schwenckfeld’s own personal Bible came into Daniel Sudermann’s possession. Inside the front cover, he penned a few lines to clarify what had happened to the book since Schwenckfeld’s death nearly fifty years earlier. Schwenckfeld, himself, designated that the Bible should go to Katharina Streicher, an old friend in whose house in Ulm Schwenckfeld died. Upon her death, it passed to John Heyd, a very close friend of Schwenckfeld and a fervent Schwenkfelder. His heir was a Schwenkfelder minister, Daniel Friedrich, who passed away in 1609 and had made Daniel Sudermann heir of his literary legacy. Sudermann designated his own literary legacy to go to three Schwenkfelder business partners in Nuremberg, Germany—Nikolaus Pfaff, Johann Khuefuß, and Maria Janin. This would have happened when Sudermann died around 1632. The Bible disappeared after Sudermann’s death and did not reappear until 1890, when the library of Francis Frey of Cotham near Bristol, England, was auctioned. How Mr. Frey acquired the book is unknown. On the title page of Schwenckfeld’s Bible, Sudermann penned the following poem in his distinctive writing: Herr Jesu Christ, die Schrifft sagt mir, Was ich thun sol, nach deim begir Das hilffts wenig, es seye dann, Du wirkst in mir alls thun und lasn, Nach willen dein, von oben her. Sunst ich zu dir käm, nimmer mehr. Dan ohn Hoffnung, Glauben und Liebe, Dein eigne Gab, Ich von dir bliebe’ Solches geschenck, wöllest mir gebn, So hab ich schon dz ewig lebn, Welches allein, du warlich bist: O Gottes Sohn, Herr Jesu Christ. — D.S. Pictured from left to right: the title page from Daniel Sudermann’s 1622 publication of the Song of Solomon with Mattüs Jäckel’s ownership signature at the bottom of the page, another page from Sudermann’s Song of Solomon with an additional verse to the hymn along with the tune name and appropriate Sunday, and a page from a handwritten hymn compilation in 1765 with a hymn from Sudermann’s Song of Solomon.
Lord Jesus Christ, Scripture tells me What I should do, according to your will, That helps really very little unless, You enter into me and do all From above according to your will, Otherwise I would never again come to you. Then without hope, faith, and love, Your own gift, I would remain away from you You would give me such a gift That I would have eternal life Which alone you truly are: O Son of God, Lord Jesus Christ. — D.S.
SILESIAN SCHWENKFELDERS There is only circumstantial evidence in regard to how Sudermann hymns found their way to Silesia. Nearly 40 years after Sudermann’s death, the Silesian Schwenkfelder Martin John the Younger traveled through southern Germany on a circuitous route to Holland. His itinerary included a stop at Bamberg where he met with Schwenkfelder Georg Gellmann, a surgeon [Wundarzt] exiled from Nuremberg. Whether John actually visited Nuremberg is unclear. During this trip, John, apparently, collected a number of manuscripts with hymns by Schwenkfelder writers and took them back to Silesia where they were found among his papers after his death in 1707. Perhaps pieces by Sudermann were among those hymns he collected. There is a tattered copy of the 1622 printing of Sudermann’s Song of Solomon with the ownership signature of Matthüs Jäckel (1690?–1756), a 1734 immigrant. Nearly all the hymns have suggested melodies and appropriate Sundays added by hand. Some hymns have additional lines and
verses. Did Jäckel add these? Or did Martin John the Younger acquire this book during his trip and make those notations? The first manuscript hymn collection by the Silesian Schwenkfelders was dated 1709. There is a very old manuscript hymnal in the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center collection, which is probably a copy of this 1709 collection, but it is missing its covers, the title page, the first few pages, and a few pages of the index at the end, but there are still 1,022 surviving pages. There are at least 20 hymns from Sudermann’s Song of Solomon on its pages. In 1726, a new manuscript hymn compilation was made with additional hymns so that the repertoire was now about a thousand hymns. It is possible that nearly a hundred Sudermann pieces were added at this time. A very small manuscript hymnal was compiled in Berthelsdorf, Saxony, in 1727. This hymnbook, designed for daily devotional activities, was small enough that it could be easily copied and so anyone could own a copy. Called the Hymnal for Daily Use (Tägliches Gesängbuch), it contained just four Sudermann hymns.
I N P E N N S Y L VA N I A On the eve of their trek to Pennsylvania, the Schwenkfelders in Berthelsdorf put the finishing touches on a new compilation of their hymns. This was a two volume collection dated 1733-1734, a copy of the 1726 expanded version of the 1709 collection. Here are over 100 Sudermann hymns and some 75 pieces from the Song of Solomon. Although other manuscript hymnals were compiled after settling in Pennsylvania, the next important Schwenkfelder hymnal was a book printed on the Saur Press in Germantown at the end of 1762. The Newlyorganized Hymnbook contained 49 hymns and songs by Sudermann. This was the largest printing of Sudermann hymns since his death. The revised editions of this hymnal, in 1813 and 1869, retained a smaller and smaller number of the Sudermann pieces. What was most likely
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the last Schwenkfelder manuscript hymnal was copied in 1765. It contains some 369 pieces from several different publications of Sudermann’s works. Susanna Heebner (1750–1818), the renowned Schwenkfelder Fraktur artist, occasionally chose mystical texts for her compositions. It is not surprising that she picked some of her texts from hymns by Sudermann. The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center Fraktur Collection has four New Years’ greetings that Susanna prepared for her nieces and nephews. The earliest one was for Isaac, dated 1808, and has verses 7, 8, 9, and 11 of the hymn “Mein Geliebter ist schön.” In 1810, she made one for Debora with verses 16 to 19 from the hymn “von deinetwegen bin ich hier.” In the following year, she made one for Maria using verses 8 to 11 from “Fahr hin o Welt” and one for Susanna employing verses 12 to 15 from the hymn “von deinetwegen bin ich hier.”
FINAL THOUGHTS The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center has an incomparable collection of materials focused on the history and culture of a small religious group. It is hard to imagine how many books and papers the immigrant Schwenkfelders brought with them on their voyages to Pennsylvania in the 1730s. All of these artifacts, in addition to their personal and household items, must have been considered essential—something they could not abandon or do without. In the 1890s and the first decade of the 1900s, Schwenkfelder scholars were in Germany and Silesia investing a great deal of time, energy, and money in collecting every possible book, paper, and artifact related to the Schwenckfeld/Schwenkfelder story. These materials were extremely important for publishing all of the writing of Caspar Schwenckfeld. Indeed, it is thanks to these marvelous resources, now residing in the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, that so much can be learned about the history, culture, and especially personages of this movement. n This 1808 New Year’s greeting Fraktur was made for Isaac Heebner by Susanna Heebner. The four verses come from the 1762 hymnal version of Sudermann’s hymn “Mein Geliebter ist schön” and is taken from the Song of Solomon.
F C
VORSCHRI
raktur
Y
ou don’t need to know anything about Fraktur to appreciate the beauty of the finely rendered pen-
manship and the accompanying artwork found in each piece. It is totally magical. The flowers, birds,
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FRAKTUR 1 4-125 Vorschrift (Writing Sample): Hand-drawn, -lettered, and -colored on laid paper. Dimensions: 8" high x 13" wide. Made for Salome Kriebel (Sept. 12, 1787 – Nov. 4, 1869), in 1801 by JS. Location: Lower Salford Township, Montgomery County. Text Source: Unknown.
TRANSCRIPTION: Hab Gott Vor Augen Und sein Wort so geht es dir Wohl Hier und dort. Jesu liebstes Gottes Lamm meiner Seelen Bräutigam, Höre mein sehnlich Flehen laß mich nicht betrübet stehen, Herr erlöse deine Braut die sich hat mit dir vertraut. Dir alleine bleibe ich treu, und soll keine Heucheleÿ, Mich von dir mein Hertze treiben, Ich will mich dir einverleiben und ein gantzes mit dir seÿn Schönster Schatz Mein Jesulein droben ist mein Bräutigam der Mich ihm zu eigen nahm wo die Menge Cherubinen In der Goldnen Himmels zinnen Singen ohne Streit in Fried, meines Jesu Hochzeit Lied.
T R A N S L AT I O N :
FTEN
C
ollection
BY DEL-LOUISE MOYER
hearts, and calligraphic flourishes which decorate the page invite you into a world of make believe. Were you never to know all the whys and wherefores, you would still be immeasurably enriched by this picturesque and highly embellished form of Pennsylvania
Have God and his word ever before you, and it will be well with you here and there. Jesus, dearest lamb of God, the groom of my soul, listen to my most earnest plea: Do not let me standing here disconsolate. Savior, redeem your bride, who has joined herself to you. I shall always remain steadfast, and no manner of hypocrisy shall ever drive my heart from you. I want to be united and one with you most divine treasure. My precious Jesus, my groom, who took me for his own, dwells up above, where the host of cherubim sing my Jesus’ wedding song, without discord and in harmony, within the golden walls of heaven.
German art which was created, principally by common folk, between 1740 and 1860.
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To transform a piece of paper, generally 13" high and 16" wide, or halfand/or quarter-sized reductions from the standard paper size, into writing samples or precepts (Vorschriften), birth and baptismal certificates (Taufscheine), house blessings (Haussegen), rewards (Belohnungen) for school children, book plates (Bücherzeichen), book marks (Lesezeichen), cutwork (Scherenschnitt), etc., required a person with a joyful imagination who could read, write, and draw. This individual had to be wellread, and have a desire to communicate his learning experience to others. Where he came from, what he had learned, and who he was becoming all contributed to his Fraktur creations. Of course, without the requisite materials, no amount of creative energy could ever have produced a piece of Fraktur. Paper, ink, an ink well, water colors, pencils, quill pens, knives, brushes, tempering agents for pigments such as gum arabic, compasses, rulers, and a color box to hold and organize everything, were the ingredients and tools needed to bring the work to life. The earlier pieces were all done by hand, while later works could be combinations of hand decoration and printed versions, or printed versions only. One probably already knows that calligraphy is the art of writing. It is the ability to skillfully transform shapes into an expressive and harmonious visual communicative medium. A style of writing is referred to as a script, alphabet, or hand. Black letter, also named Gothic script or Gothic miniscule, for example, was widely used throughout Europe from circa 1150 into the 17th century. Germanic-speaking areas continued to use it until the 20th century. Two scripts predominate in Pennsylvania-German Fraktur works: Fraktur and old German script. Fraktur refers to a particular sub-group of blackletter typefaces. The term comes from the past participle of the Latin verb frangere (to break), or fractus, which means broken. The blackletter lines contain many angles and are decidedly more broken than the smooth curves of another typeface used at the time called Antiqua, which was modeled after antique Roman elegant capitals. Had Maximilian, Holy Roman Emperor, not sought to immortalize himself in a new series of publications, for which he wished a new typeface, there might never have been a Fraktur face. It was designed ca. 1500 by Hieronymus Andreae or Hieronymus Formschneider (i.e. woodblock cutter), a printer, publisher, typographer, and collaborator of Albrecht Dürer. Because it was the Emperor’s preferred typeface, it quickly overtook the earlier Schwabacher and Textualis typefaces. Many Fraktur font variants were carved. In contrast, Kurrent is an old form of German handwriting based on late medieval cursive – flowing strokes with the letters joined together, also known as the alte Deutsche Schrift, or old German script, it developed in the 16th century, and replaced the Gothic handwriting at the same time that the Fraktur typeface developed. The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center has a stunning Fraktur collection representing Schwenkfelder, Mennonite, Reformed, Lutheran, Brethren, and other Fraktur artists and scriveners. You will even find an example of Moravian Christmas greetings. Texts, taken from the Bible, hymnals, religious poetry, and other pietistic sources, were used in part to demonstrate how to write Fraktur and old German script, as well as for the edification of and instruction to the young students, who most often received these pieces of Fraktur as gifts from their school masters. In Vorschriften (writing samples), a combination of ornamented Fraktur and old German script is used for the quoted text. Beneath this, one usually finds an alphabet rendered either in Fraktur letters, both in capital and lowercase, and/or in majuscule and miniscule old German script letters, or both. Grammatical markings may be indicated, or the
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days of the week, months, and cardinal numbers. Sometimes, the artist/ scrivener will state that he made the work, sign his name, and the date he created the work. Other times, the names and dates indicate for whom and when the works were made. The Schwenkfelders are unique in that their Vorschriften can be either a writing specimen with the instructive alphabets and/or only a precept meant to guide the recipient on life’s journey. The following examples will give you an idea of the richness of the Schwenkfelder’s unique and memorable collection.
FRAKTUR 1 This Vorschrift (writing sample) was made for a Schwenkfelder child, Salome Kriebel, in 1801 when she was 14 years old. The format, dividing the space into smaller rectangular work areas, and the Fraktur decorative elements are typical Mennonite—reminiscent of school masters Andreas Kolb and Huppert Cassel. Nothing is known about the maker who signed it as JS. There are no records to confirm whether it was Salome’s school teacher or not. The source for the text, part Fraktur, part old German script, is unknown. It describes Jesus as the bride groom, the Christian as the bride, and uses comparisons to earthly marriage. This was popular and also very acceptable imagery of the time. In the lower left quadrant, is an upper-case and, in the lower right quadrant beneath the text, a lower-case old German script alphabet.
FRAKTUR 2 Men predominated in the field of Fraktur, but there were a few women who excelled both as artists and scriveners. One such lady was the Schwenkfelder Susanna Hübner (April 12, 1750 – March 1, 1818) who never married. She lived on her father’s (Hans Christoph Hübner) farm in Worcester Township, Montgomery County. Her neighbor and friend was the Mennonite teacher and Fraktur artist Huppert Cassel who taught her brother, Abraham, and spurred him on to become an accomplished Fraktur artist as well. In fact, it seems the whole Hübner family was gifted and, for several generations, continued to recycle the same motifs and texts to produce similar Fraktur works, most of which are now part of the Schwenkfelder Fraktur collection. After their father died, Susanna lived with her brother and his wife, Christina Wagner, and often produced Fraktur for her eight nieces and nephews. In 1808, she made several customized Vorschriften (precepts) as gifts. This piece was for her nephew, Jacob, who was then almost 15 years old. It is very stylized and shares some of the same motifs and highly ornamented Fraktur used by David Kriebel [See Kriebel’s Fraktur Jerusalem Du Gottes Stadt from February 24, 1805]. The illuminated Fraktur is in multicolors of red, blue, yellow, and black gall ink and the old German Script is mostly in black ink interspersed with words in red ink. The text begins with a passage from Genesis 32:1-2, referencing the first name of Susanna’s nephew, Jacob. The angels, as servants of God and their continuous service to Him and mankind, are described along with mention of some of the biblical people who experienced their ministrations. Susanna Hübner used this Vorschrift (precept) perhaps to remind her nephew, Jacob Hübner, of God’s heavenly intervention in the lives of everyday people and provided him with a list of biblical figures who had been recipients of God’s angelic benevolence. Located in the lower left and right corners are two hearts sprouting tulips and other blooms. The left warns of one’s impending end and gives the date of the Vorschrift (precept); the right admonishes us to reserve our hearts for Jesus alone.
FRAKTUR 3 Christian Strenge came to America in 1776, as a Hessian soldier, and
FRAKTUR 2
1958.02.09 Vorschrift (Precept): Hand-drawn, -lettered, and -colored on laid paper. Dimensions: 8-1/8" high x 13-5/16" wide. Made for Jacob Hübner, Susanna Hübner’s nephew, Worcester Township, Montgomery County, by Susanna Hübner on April 15, 1808. Text Source: Genesis 32:1–2.
TRANSCRIPTION:
T R A N S L AT I O N :
Jacob Aber Zog Seinen Weg und Es Begegneten Ihm die Engel Gottes. 2. Und da er sie sahe, sprach er: Es sind Gottes Heere und hieß Dieselbige Stätte Mahanaim: 1. Mos. 32: 1-2 Ein Grosse anzahl ist der Lieben Engel, Tausendmal Tausend, Singen fröhlich mit Schall. vor Gott sie stehen, stets sein Antliz sehen thun sein Gefallen. dise Heerschaaren, Rühmten Christ den Herren, da er gebohren, sungen ihm zu Ehren, da er gestritten, Todes Angst gelidten, sie ihm auch dienten. Als er gesieget, gen Himmel gefahren, die Feind bekrieget, bald die Engel Schaaren, Sein Sieg ausbreiten: Sein Zu kunfft bedeuten, in letzten Zeiten. Wän denn, was solches betrifft, wir in der Heiligen Schrifft, viel schöne Exempel sehn, was durch ihren Dienst geschehn. Als wie Abraham und Lot Hagar auch in ihrer Noth, Isaac, Jacob Israel, Ilias und Daniel. Joseph u. Cornelius, Petrus, Paulus, Lazarus, und viel andre mehr vor jahrn, han der Engel Dienst erfahrn. O Edel Hertz, Bedenck dein End April den 15 1808 Das Hertze mein soll dir allein ergeben seÿn
Jacob then went his way, and God’s angels met him. 2. And when he saw them, he spoke: “These are the army of God, and called the place where he met them Mahanaim.” Genesis 32: 1-2. The host of angels, thousands upon thousands, merrily sing resoundingly. They stand before God, forever view his countenance, and do his bidding. This heavenly multitude praised Christ when he was born; sang in his honor when he was threatened; served him when he experienced the fear of death. When he ascended triumphantly towards Heaven, vanquished the enemy, the angels quickly announced his victory, and continue to prophesy the future and end times. We see many examples in the Holy Bible of the services they have rendered throughout the ages. For instance, Abraham and Lot, Hagar in her need, Isaac, Jacob, Israel, Elijah and Daniel, Joseph and Cornelius, Peter, Paul, Lazarus, and many others of other times have experienced the ministrations of the angels. O noble heart, contemplate your end. April 15, 1808 My heart is devoted to you alone.
remained to become a teacher at a union school in Hempfield Township, Lancaster County. Here, he taught Mennonite, Lutheran, and Reformed children from 1793 to 1811. He always did his artwork first and added custom-oriented texts later. Flower and bird motifs, as well as the colors employed, are signature elements and make it very easy to recognize his work, even when unsigned. In 1801, Strenge made this Vorschrift (writing sample) for Maria Ruth,
probably one of his students. Following the text from Psalms 95:1-5, are an old German script alphabet in uppercase and one in lowercase, plus numbers from 1 to 14. Strenge included several variants for almost every capital letter, the vowels with umlauts, as well as examples of letter combinations, all very helpful to someone learning to write in old German script. In the last line, he notes: “Written in Hempfield Township in the Year 1801 by Christian Strenge.” THE SCHWENKFELDIAN
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FRAKTUR 3 Vorschrift (Writing Sample): Hand-drawn, -lettered, and -colored on laid paper. Made for Maria Ruth in 1801, Hempfield Township, Lancaster County, by Christian Strenge (Oct. 24, 1757 – April 28, 1828). Text Source: Psalms 95:1-5.
TRANSCRIPTION:
T R A N S L AT I O N :
Maria Ruth. Kommt lasset uns dem Herrn frohlocken und jauchzen dem Hort unsers Heils. Lasset uns mit Danken vor sein angesicht kommen und mit Psalmen ihm jauchzen. Denn der Herr ist ein grosser Gott, und ein grosser König über alle Götter. Denn in seiner Hand ist was die Erde bringet, und die Höhen der berge sind auch sein. Denn sein ist das Meer, und er hats gemacht, und seine Hände haben das Trockene bereitete. Psalm 95 Verse 1.2.3. und 4. [Alphabets, etc.] Geschrieben in Hempfield Taunschip im Jahr 1801 von Christian Strenge.
Maria Ruth. Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great king above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Psalm 95, verses 1.2.3.4. [also 5]. [Alphabets, etc.] Written in Hempfield Township in the Year 1801 by Christian Strenge.
FRAKTUR 4
entitled David’s Psalm Book. The Tunker emigrants to America brought along several copies of this very heavy hymnbook, but decided to put together a smaller version for the expanding American Brethren congregations. Christoph Saur, the first German-language printer and publisher in America, as well as one of the founders of the Church of the Brethren in America, published the first edition in 1744. The Small Davidic Psalter of the Children of Zion was also used by other pietistic groups and was to the German-speaking people of that period what the Gospel hymns were to the American Christians of the second-half of the 19th century. The text of this Vorschrift (writing sample), partially in Fraktur, partially in old German Script, plus round cursive script, contains some
Decorative motifs, such as trailing tulip vines and feathered elements, as utilized by the renowned Fraktur artist and Schwenkfelder minister David Kriebel (April 21, 1787 – April 23, 1848) suggest that this piece may be one of his very early works. If so, he was only 15 years old when he created this Vorschrift (writing sample), in 1802, using verses 1 to 3 from a hymn text found on page 57 of the 1760 second edition of The Small Davidic Psalter of the Children of Zion printed by Christoph Saur in Germantown, and sung to the melody “Rise up.” A collection of hymn texts, numbering 547 pages plus an additional 23 pages of indexes, this psalter was an abridged American version of the very popular, and much larger Euorpean Schwazenau Brethren’s, i.e. Tunkers’, first hymnbook
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FRAKTUR 4 Vorschrift (Writing Sample): Hand-drawn, -lettered, and -colored on laid paper. Unknown for whom it was made in 1802. Location unknown. Possibly by David Kriebel. Text Source: Das kleine Davidische Psalterspiel der Kinder Zions, von Alten und Neuen auserlesen Geistes=Gesängen. Germantown: Gedruckt bey Christoph Saur, Germantown, 1744, v. 1-3, pp. 57-59.
TRANSCRIPTION:
T R A N S L AT I O N :
Bleibe bey mir Liebster Freund, Jesu mein Verlangen Weil die Sonne wieder scheind und nun Aufgegangen drum so wollest du aufs neu mir auch helle scheinen und in reiner Liebes Treu dich mit mir vereinen Dann ich habe niemand sonst den ich mich Vertraue als nur dich und deine Gunst ists worauf ich baue, du bist meine Zuversicht und mein Held im Kriegen wann der Arge mich anficht, kan ich durch dich siegen Ach drum will ich dich mein Licht vestiglich umfaßen und dich nun und nimmer nicht von mir laßen dann es ist nicht guth allein hier die Zeit Vertreiben drum must du mein Jesulein stets beÿ mir Verbleiben. ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Anno Domene [sic] 1802 ~
Never leave me dearest friend, Jesus my hope. Since the sun is shining once more, and has arisen, shine brightly anew for me, and in the bond of true love become one with me. For I have no one else to whom I can entrust myself except you, and it is your grace upon which I build. You are my joy and defender. In battle, when the evil one attacks me, I triumph in you. O light of mine, I thus want to grasp you firmly, and never let you go. Since it is not good to spend one’s time here alone, dear Jesus mine, please remain with me always. ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ In the Year of Our Lord 1802 ~
love and marriage imagery, as well as portrays Jesus as the sun and light of the world. The Christian begs Christ to never leave him, and to remain his defender and guiding light. Beneath the verses, is an uppercase old German script alphabet and Anno Domene [sic] 1802 in round cursive script. It’s interesting to note that the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center has the copy of Isaac Jackson’s Round Hand Copies Alphabetically Written For the Use of young Writers, Dublin, 1735, which was owned, in 1771, by the Schwenkfelder George Drescher.
Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County. Whoever made this Vorschrift (precept) was familiar with Gerhard Tersteegen’s Little Flower Garden for Fervent Souls, a collection of hymns, spiritual lyrics, and epigrams, first published in Europe in 1729. He chose Verse 383 from The First Little Book in which Jesus entreats the child’s soul to return his unconditional love, a very pleasing request to a little boy ten years old. Gerhard Tersteegen was born in Moers, Germany, in 1697. He was first apprenticed to his brother-in-law to become a merchant, but gave this up to contemplate the inner man within him. As he codified his thoughts, he shared them with others and was able to counsel wisely. His Little Flower Garden for Fervent Souls became so popular that the hymns were sung at weddings, social events, and even spoken as greet-
FRAKTUR 5 Jeremias Krauss (Oct. 28, 1758 – Aug. 17, 1821) was the son of Schwenkfelders Christopher Krauss and Susanna Schultz, who had a farm in
THE SCHWENKFELDIAN
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FRAKTUR 6
FRAKTUR 5 39.177.1 Vorschrift (Precept): Hand-drawn, -lettered, and -colored on laid paper. Made for Jeremias Krauss (Oct. 28, 1758 – Aug. 17, 1821), Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County, by an anonymous artist/scrivener in January, 1768. Text Source: Gerhard Tersteegen, Geistliches Blumengärtlein inniger Seelen.: oder, Kurze Schlussreimen, Betrachtungen und Lieder über allerhand Wahrheiten des inwendigen in dem verboregenen Leben met Christo in Gott nebst Der frommen Lotterie (Elberfeld: Hassel, 1826), Erstes Büchlein, v. 383, S. 102.
TRANSCRIPTION:
T R A N S L AT I O N :
Jeremias Kra[uss] Jesus zu der Seelen, Mein werthes Kind, ach ! liebe mich, Dann ich so hertzlich liebe Dich; Daß ich mich selbst Dir gantz will schenken, Wie kanst Du an was anders, Denken. Blumen Gärtlein, 383 P Anno 1768 Januar the
Jeremias Kra[uss] Jesus to the soul: My valuable child, please love me, for I so profoundly love you that I want to give myself unconditionally to you. How can you consider anything else? [From] The Little Garden of Flowers, 383, P. Anno 1768, January the
ings. He believed that God is naturally a part of every man, but that our focus on the external handicaps our spiritual growth. If we cultivate our inner being, we will find great joy and deepen our friendship with God, who is always present within us. The decorative elements in this Vorschrift (precept) are pure Schwenkfelder, especially the floral vines and heart which contains Tersteegen’s verse. Unfortunately, a portion of the right side of the document is missing. The child’s name is in Fraktur and this is a perfect example of broken letters—the initial capitals ornamented with calligraphic flourishes. The heart is not only symbolic as a vessel for the soul, but is also, literally, a receptacle for a bouquet of decorative flowers, a very knowing touch by the artist/scrivener. The verse is written in the old German script. The bottom line, in cursive round-hand, is part Latin, German, and English!
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New Year’s Greeting (probably Schwenkfelder): Hand-drawn, -lettered, -colored, and scissors-cut on laid paper. Dimensions: 3-7/8" high x 2-9/16" wide. Made for George and Barbara Diehl Anders, Towamencin Township, Montgomery County, by an anonymous artist between 1757 and 1803. Text Source: Unknown.
TRANSCRIPTION: G A [George Anders] B A [Barbara Anders] Ich wünsch eüch ein glückseelich neues Jahr georg anders und seiner frah
T R A N S L AT I O N : G A [George Anders] B A [Barbara Anders] I wish you a joyous New Year. To George Anders and his wife.
FRAKTUR 6 This New Year Fraktur was made for the Schwenkfelders George Anders (June 16, 1733 – Aug. 28, 1803) and his wife Barbara Diehl (Dec. 25, 1730 – Jan. 25, 1812), who were married on February 13, 1757. It was given to them sometime between 1757 and 1803. Since there are very few examples of Fraktur-decorated holiday cards from this time period, this is a real treasure even though the artist is unknown. The holiday greetings are in Fraktur.
FRAKTUR 7 Another rare gem in the Schwenkfelder Fraktur Collection is this Christmas greeting from December 24, 1798. Based on characteristics similar to a few other known Moravian Christmas cards that are hand-drawn, hand-lettered, and hand-colored (see the Free Library Rare Book Room
FRAKTUR 7
FRAKTUR 8
Moravian Christmas Greeting: Hand-drawn, -lettered, and -colored on laid paper. Dimensions: 3-3/16" high x 3-7/8" wide. Made by an anonymous artist/scrivener from an unknown location on December 24, 1798. Text Source: Unknown.
1958.02.02 Vorschrift (Writing Sample): Hand-drawn, -lettered, and colored on laid paper. Dimensions: Approximately 6" high x 7 wide. By Christina Wagner (Feb. 17, 1769 – April 18, 1830), Worcester Township, Montgomery County. Text Source: Sirach (Apocrypha) 10:17-21.
TRANSCRIPTION: Ey welch’ Lieb preißt der Herr an uns armen Sündern, Da Er, zu Seiner Ehre, Freud’ annimmt zu Kindern. 24ten Dec. 1798
T R A N S L AT I O N : O what love the Savior grants to us poor sinners. For he, to his Honor, delights in becoming as the children. 24 Dec. 1798
TRANSCRIPTION:
T R A N S L AT I O N :
Manniger karget und sparet und wird dadurch reich, und dencket er habe etwas vor sich bracht, und spricht: Nun will ich gut leben haben, eßen und trincken von meinen Güthern, und er weiß nicht, daß sein Stündlein so nahe ist, und muß alles andern laßen und sterben. Bleibe in Gottes Wort und übe dich darinnen und beharre in deinem Beruff und laß dich nicht irren, wie die Gottlosen nach Guth trachten. Vertraue du Gott und bleibe in deinem Beruff pp. [Alphabets] Christina Wagener at Worcester Township
Some are stingy, save, and consequently become rich. They are of the opinion that they have done well for themselves, and say: “Now I want to have a good life, eat, and drink, and live from my possessions. Little do they know that their hour is quickly approaching, and that they will have to die, and leave everything to others. Stick to the word of God, and follow its precepts. Persevere in your work, and do not be sidetracked, like the godless, who strive for worldly goods. Trust God, and carry on with your calling. With my own hand. [Alphabets] Christina Wagener at Worcester Township
Fraktur Collection), this example can be attributed to an anonymous Moravian artist/scrivener. The Moravians are not known to have produced Fraktur of any other kind other than the few Christmas greetings still extant. A dove symbolizes peace, love, innocence, and portrays the Holy Spirit, particularly in annunciation scenes. Christian art also depicts the dove as hovering over the Virgin Mary’s head, symbolizing Mary’s submissive innocence. Two doves represent eternal love. The pair of doves in this Fraktur are carefully rendered and, perhaps, represent the everlasting love, i.e. Jesus Christ, who was born to bring peace to the world. The faded lavender colors of the text, as well as of the decorative oblong wreath were probably red when initially applied. The text, in old German script, expresses the Savior’s mercy to sinners, since he delights in becoming as the children.
FRAKTUR 8 Christina Wagner’s parents were the Schwenkfelders Christopher Wagener and Susanna Hübner. This Susanna Hübner was the daughter of David and Maria Heebner. She was born in Worcester Township, Montgomery County, and married Abraham Hübner on May 11, 1790. Her sister-in-law, Susanna Hübner, as previously mentioned, was also inspired to do some of her finest Fraktur pieces for Abraham’s and Christina’s children. Christina Wagner may well have been the scrivener of this unadorned Vorschrift (writing sample). The initial letter W is graced with several calligraphical flourishes and the opening line is in cursive Fraktur. The rest is in old German script. At the end of the quoted text, one finds the letters pp, which is usually an abbreviation for per procurationem or on behalf of. Its placement seems out of context, as it usually is found THE SCHWENKFELDIAN
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in combination with a signature. The alphabet beneath is an example of round-hand and combines the upper and lowercase letters together under each letter. The signature Christina Wagener at Worcester Township, is in English and in cursive round-hand. The text is from Sirach, an apocryphal book of the bible, which was very often quoted for Vorschrift texts —writing specimens as well as precepts—because of its didactic and common sense viewpoint. The reader of this writing specimen is encouraged to be diligent and to lay up treasures in heaven, for one never knows when one’s life will end.
M O T I VA T I O N The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center owns Samuel Pennypacker’s personal copy, dated January 24, 1877 [VR43-19 6097], of Geistliches Magazien (Spiritual Periodical) Num 33, which Christoph Sauer published in 1764 in order to share a letter from Christopher Dock, the well-known Mennonite school teacher, to his still living students for their instruction and admonishment. In his letter, Dock wrote: “My beloved children, who have come of age, and understanding: My love and concern for your spiritual well-being and joy has placed a duty upon me to plead with you before I take my leave from this earth. Search yourselves, and determine if you are God’s children, or are willing to belong to him. If you find like the prodigal son, that you have strayed from your Father, then, also like the prodigal son, resolve to return to him. Avoid the temptations of this world such as lusting with your eyes, sins of the flesh, and vain living. Free your hearts from this sort of false love, and consecrate and join yourself to Jesus, the groom of our souls, who because he loved us, sacrificed himself for us. As we have already learned from his words, he lovingly beseeches us to come to him. In coming to him, we receive his light. Please do not forget that you can still come to him.” Yours in love, Christoph Dock* During his long career as a schoolmaster, Dock made many types of Fraktur pieces for his pupils, which contained expressions of general truth and principles to motivate them to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and to be his friend for eternity. It is fitting to conclude with some of his thoughts, which mirror the raison d’etre for the Vorschriften, both the writing specimens and precepts as well as other types of Fraktur, produced by the Pennsylvania-Germans, ca. 1740 to 1860, and which are now part of the Schwenkfelder Fraktur Collection. n *Source: Christoph Dock: Eine Schrift an seine noch lebende Schüler zur Lehr und Vermahnung, Geistliches Magazien Num 33 (Christoph Sauer: Germantown, Pa. 1764), p. 269, column 2, paragraph 3.
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Aram Basmadjian, of the Allen Organ Company, performed a one-hour concert demonstrating the versatility of the king of instruments. A resident of nearby Macungie, Aram is a young organ virtuoso who made his organ debut playing at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. His spirited playing and humor provided a fun introduction to Palm’s new digital organ.
I D
THE KING OF
nstruments
B Y E D WA R D B I E L E R
uring the first decade of the twentieth century, the Upper District Schwenkfelders began to feel that the facilities of the Washington, Hosensack, and Kraussdale meetinghouses were inadequate. A District Conference, held in the Fall of 1909, decided to build a single centrally located house of worship. By the Spring of 1910, a site was secured in Palm, a Philadelphia architectural firm was engaged, and a design approved. Construction began that March and the building was ready for use by the Fall of 1911.
The construction blueprints provided space for an organ but its installation was initially deferred because of the additional cost. Dr. and Mrs. Oscar S. Kriebel, however, felt so strongly that organ music would make a valuable contribution to the spirit of worship services that they made a $500 contribution towards the purchase. They also applied for, and received from industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, a grant for $875 with the provision that the Church raise the balance of the organ cost. Dr. Kriebel promised to raise the needed funds from people who had not subscribed to the building fund. Mr. Carnegie’s offer was accepted by the congregation, and a pipe organ was ordered from the C.S. Haskell Company of Philadelphia for $2,250. Unfortunately the installation of the organ could not be completed by Sept. 24, 1911, the date set for the dedication of the new Palm Church building, so congregational singing was accompanied by a small reed pump organ which had been transported from the Washington Meetinghouse. When the installation was completed the following month, its console was located on a platform on the left front of the sanctuary. A District Conference on October 7, 1911, decided that the new organ, beginning the following week, was to be used exclusively to accompany congregational singing. The hymns were led by Vorsinger (song leader) Henry Seibert who was seated beside the organist throughout most of the service. On occasion, when congregational singing lacked sufficient zeal, Dr. Kriebel would stop the hymn in progress and inform Mr. Seibert and the congregation that he was not satisfied with their rendition of that particular hymn and that they should continue singing with more zeal. Organ preludes, offertories, and postludes were added to the worship service by the 1930s. During the summer of 1937, the organ was reconditioned and upgraded at a cost of $1,300 and a dedication service was held November 12, 1937. Under the leadership of Rev. Martha Kriebel, the Palm Church conducted an extensive program of renovations to the Church facilities during the 1960s and early 1970s. A study was conducted examining the facilities in the sanctuary. A special subcommittee recommended that, because of needed expensive repairs, the Haskell pipe organ be replaced with a new electronic analog instrument. A contract was signed with the Allen Organ Company of Macungie for a three-
manual organ for a cost of $23,000. Among the many reasons for the selection of the Allen Organ was the company’s worldwide reputation as a leader in the field of electronic church and theater organs, the quality of the instrument, the proximity of the company to the Church (approximately 10 miles), and that Allen employed several members of the Palm congregation in the manufacturing of this type of organ. In fact, one of Palm’s members was responsible for matching the wood stain on the new organ to the oak woodwork in the sanctuary. The new organ, along with a new carillon, was dedicated during the morning worship service on May 23, 1971. That evening, a special community service was conducted. Highlights of this service included performances by the Palm Senior Choir, Palm’s Brass Choir, the Upper Perkiomen High School A Choir, and a recital by organist Carl Gearhart. By 2009, it had become apparent to Palm’s Board of Music Ministry that the Allen Organ needed an upgrade. Existing antiphonal speakers needed replacement and the speakers located in the old organ chamber needed to be repositioned in order to eliminate dead spots and better fill the sanctuary with the sound of the organ. In addition, Allen Organ company representatives suggested that a second organ chamber be installed in the front of the Church to help eliminate the dead spots on the north side of the sanctuary. In the course of the discussions with Allen, it became clear to the Board of Music Ministry that perhaps it would be financially prudent to consider a new instrument rather than expend resources on upgrading the existing organ. A recommendation was made to the Board of Trustees that if funding became available, the Church should purchase a new digital organ from the Allen Organ Company for a cost of $94,000. At a special District Conference held in September, 2009, the Board of Trustees presented to the membership a plan for several capital improvement projects, including the installation of the new organ for completion as part of the Palm Church’s 100th anniversary celebration. The plan was overwhelmingly approved and the order was placed for the new instrument. Installation took place during the first week in August, 2010, and the dedication service and recital were held on Oct. 17, 2010. n THE SCHWENKFELDIAN
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our facilities
CENTRAL
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AUGUST – NOVEMBER 2010
An uplifting experience was enjoyed by all during the Sunday School hour, in Fellowship Hall, on Sunday, Aug. 1. Chaplain Franklin Gilliam of New Life Youth & Family Services, presented information about its programs which Central Church supports through our Christmas in August mission program. The 150-acre campus is located in Schwenksville, Pa., and was founded by the late state trooper and presidential bodyguard, Walter Haman, in 1953. Through God’s work, the staff of the facility is helping troubled youth—45 young men and 14 young women, presently. Rev. Roger Wambold visited the pulpit. Rev. Wambold is the Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship, a ministry which extends the word of Jesus Christ to people of the Jewish faith. On Sunday, August 8, during the Sunday School hour, Board of Deacons’ Chairman Peter Colvin introduced attendees to a new emphasis on discipleship at Central. Attendees gathered in the Plaid Pad, over a five-week introductory period, to discuss the components of this program. A committee, formed by some members of Diaconate and Church Council, will present to the congregation the Church’s new emphasis about discipleship. The morning worship message, entitled “Work Camp According to Us,” was delivered by three participants—Al Koehler, Jeremy Behne, and Danielle Schanbacher—who participated in this year’s West Virginia work project. A vocal and instrumental group also performed two pieces which included Whitney Cairns (vocal and piano), Travis Simpson (vocal and guitar),
Zachary Cairns (bass), and Alicia Kalb (drums). Other participants in the services were Pastor Julian Scavetti, Tim Seese, Katie Greco, and Leigh Kelly. On Wednesday evening, August 11, Rev. Dr. Drake Williams led a special prayer time on Central Church’s portico. Rev. Williams’ son, Henry, assisted his father by playing the guitar. The Williams’ are residents of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and were visiting the area. During the Sunday School hour, the discipleship discussion program continued on successive weeks under the leadership of Mary Beatrice, Janet Singer, Sam Dagger, and concluded by Judy Berger and Wayne Wurtz. Sunday, September 12, the Sunday School hour was the opportunity to commence the new Church calendar year. Thanks is due to Tim Heebner (member, Board of Education) and Penny Krosskove (Sunday School Superintendent), for organizing the Rally Day activities in Fellowship Hall. The program themes were team effort, God wants us to serve, and MAD (Make a Difference). Special music was provided by the instrumental group, 4-Giv’n. Senior Pastor David McKinley presented Bibles to the Third Graders which included Kyle Colombo, Bryanna Dix, Will Hartman, Joseph Irvine, Olivia Keyte, Ruby and Grace Ramsey, Jason Rieger, and Ramsey Tha. Guest speaker Robert Rogers delivered the sermon and shared his musical gifts of piano playing and voice. He continued his message during the evening service by talking about the tragic loss of his wife and four children in a 2003 flood. Sunday evening activities included the beginning of the new Christian Endeavor programs of Wave, Wired, and Crave.
Chairperson Beth Anne Mininger, along with a host of other people, organized another successful country fair. The next day, Sunday, September 19, an introduction was made to Central’s planned informal worship services. A second introductory informal/contemporary service was conducted at the 8:00 a.m. Church service on October 10. The efforts of the instrumental and vocal group 4-Giv’n will be much appreciated in this new Church venture. Also, the WAVE CE group met that evening. The midweek praise and prayer group continued to celebrate 7:00 p.m. worship on the Church portico. Also, the AWANA program began again. AWANA (derived from the first letters of the phrase approved workmen are not ashamed—taken from 2 Timothy 2:15), will continue through May 2011. AWANA participants are children from grades K-5. The children are divided into two groups: grades K-2 (known as Sparks) and grades 3-5 (known as T&T or Truth and Training). The intent is to keep the children focused upon Christ and church at midweek. October 10 was laity Sunday and leadership participants were Andrew Ramsey, Todd and Gretchen Colombo, Wendy and Karly Kaminsky, Juli Apple, Mary Beatrice, and Patricia Marburger. The sermon presenters were Fran Witte, Mark Singer, and Don Casey and their subject was “Serving the Lord at Central: Something for Everyone.” Joining the Central Church membership a week later were William and Patricia Fulwider and Megan McGinnis. Starting on January 16, 2011, Central will hold a traditional service at 9:00 a.m., Sunday School will begin at 10:10 a.m., and a contemporary service will start at 11:15 a.m.
Worship: 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. Church School: 9:00 a.m.
Worship: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. Church School: 9:00 a.m.
Worship: 10:15 a.m. Church School: 9:00 a.m.
Central Schwenkfelder P.O. Box 67, Worcester, PA 19490 610-584-4480 www.centralschwenkfelder.com WINTER 2011
Olivet-Schwenkfelder United Church of Christ 619 Township Line Rd., Norristown, PA 19403 610-539-7444 • www.osuccpa.org
Palm Schwenkfelder P.O. Box 66, Palm, PA 18070 215-679-5321 www.palmschwenkfelder.com
CHURCH PHOTOGRAPHS BY GERALD HEEBNER
sitespecific Church Briefs
A special salute is appropriate to the folks who redecorated the lower floor level of the Church building. Those who offered their talent and service were Chris and Pam Eckert; David and Linda McKinley; Lauren Rieger; Beth Hunt; Tom and Heather McGinley; Al Koehler; Wayne and April Wurtz; Rob Texter; Lauren Hunt; Gene Cestrone; Quentin, Juli, Lauren, and Lucas Apple; the Borelli Family; Linda James; Greta Henery; Jeanne Kelly; Todd Colombo; and Ryan Gallagher. November 28 was the first Sunday of Advent. During the first service, the Advent wreath was lit by Carl and Holly Sensenig and, during the second service, by Pete and Marcy Shenkel and Cheryl Walborn. ✞
OLIVET August—the halfway point of Summer. Despite many absences, due to vacations, our congregation enjoyed beautiful music all month. On August 1, Pastor Leslie demonstrated her many talents as she joined Helen Felton, Tony Godorecci, and Larry Tiblis to sing the anthem.As always, our Second Sunday Singers were a joy. Tony Godorecci was in charge of the vocal department on the third week and was joined the following week by Flora and Larry Tiblis and Pastor Leslie. We ended the month musically with Audrey Haimbach, Flora and Larry Tiblis, and Tony Godorecci. It gave us great pleasure to welcome Rev. JoEllen Mauger back to the pulpit on August 15. As in July, the mission focus was on Interfaith and Project Hope. Members were rarin' to go in September.
Schwenkfelder Missionary 2010 Reed St. Philadelphia, PA 19146 215-334-4658 Worship: 10:45 a.m. Church School: 9:30 a.m. Perkiomen School 200 Seminary Street Pennsburg, PA 18073 215-679-9511 www.perkiomen.org
ones enjoyed a Halloween party on October 23 under the supervision of Doug and Cheryl Emerson. Sara Posen headed up the Women’s Fellowship zep sale on Friday, October 15. This month, the mission project was collection of donations for Church World Service blankets. November was ushered in with the observance of All Saints Sunday and a living memorial and prayer wall was built in the sanctuary to honor all friends and family who had passed on in previous years as well as those who entered eternal life this year. Women’s Fellowship sponsored the annual roast beef dinner on Saturday, November 13, and provided dinner for 16 veterans. A congregational meeting was held on stewardship Sunday following the service to elect Church Council officers. Once again, Youth Serve prepared a delicious harvest home breakfast with the $75 surplus going to Interfaith. We continued the observance of harvest home during the service when Church Council officers were installed. During the offertory, members brought nonperishable food items to the altar to be donated to Interfaith. ✞
Our preschool teachers were installed during the service on September 12 as we observed Rally Day. Despite the rain, everyone enjoyed the picnic which followed the service. It was so nice to have the choir back following their Summer hiatus. Then, during the weekend of September 17, Pastor Leslie led the OSUCC women’s retreat at Mensch Mill. Participants enjoyed this time of worship and fellowship which included a labyrinth walk. Meanwhile, the congregation was honored to have Rev. David Luz give the sermon that week. Our mission concern in September was the West End Preschool. This school is now housed in Christ Church UCC, in Norristown, but it was founded and run for many years by the Norristown Schwenkfelder Church. With the arrival of cooler weather, our knitters were reminded to get out their needles and make helmet liners for the armed forces. We welcomed October with the celebration of World Communion Sunday. All family members are welcome at Olivet, including pets. On October 9, several cats, dogs, and a lone iguana participated in the service of animal blessing. All the participants were awarded a certificate. October 10 was doubly busy as several members hurried to complete the Crop Walk in time to return to Church for the Youth Serve basket auction. Youth Serve raised $900; half of which went to the Wyncote Church Home. The remainder will go to a charity yet to be determined. The Crop Walk raised $626. The focus remained on youth the following Sunday for the national observance of children’s Sabbath. Michael Schrack, Cassie Thacker, Lexi Ishikawa, Gregory Briggs, and Alex Nyce participated in the service. Ten little
September 2010 was designated as the beginning of our year-long celebration of the founding of Palm Schwenkfelder Church. There will be numerous events throughout the next year to commemorate our long history. We formed a 100th anniversary coordination committee to oversee the activities. The committee members are David Luz, Ed Bieler, and Anne Goda.
Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center 105 Seminary St., Pennsburg, PA 18073 215-679-3103 www.schwenkfelder.com Mon.: Closed • Tues., Wed., Fri.: 9–4 Thurs.: 9–8 • Sat.: 10–3 • Sun.: 1–4
Schwenckfeld Manor 1290 Allentown Rd. Lansdale, PA 19446 215-362-0227 www.advancedlivinginc.org Office Hours: Mon.–Fri. 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
PA L M
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The Ladies’ Aid harvest dinner was held on Saturday, September 11, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Many people enjoyed the menu of roast beef, turkey, filling, carrots, green beans, and many different desserts. There were even items for sale such as our ladies’ famous chow chow, baked goods, and Palm Schwenkfelder items like T-shirts, afghans, and cookbooks. It was a great evening for everyone to enjoy delicious food and warm fellowship. We held our Rally Day on September 12 to start off our year of Sunday School. The theme for the morning was holy laughter. A covered dish breakfast started off the morning for all those who attended. Our Sunday School year looks to be a good one. Come join us in one of our many classes if you are interested in getting closer to God’s word.
Palm Schwenkfelder Church was proud to hold the dedication of our new Allen Organ on October 17 during our worship service. A special organ recital was held at 3:00 p.m. that same day. The featured organist was Aram Basmadjian, who has earned acclaim throughout the United States from critics and audiences. He shared his talent while also demonstrating the versatility of our new Allen Quantum organ. Barb Master was welcomed as our new Youth Director at Palm Church. She will be developing, coordinating, and administering the youth programs, including the children’s Christmas program in December. Congratulations and thanks to Barb Master for stepping up to this assignment. In preparation for the holiday bazaar, the Ladies’ Aid held two cookie baking sessions
spotlight Personal Notes
on November 6 and 13. Anyone who was willing to help was invited to the Church kitchen to make batter, decorate, and wrap up cookies. People with all levels of baking experience were welcome! What a wonderful way for the ladies of the Church to come together and work for a common goal. On Saturday, November 20, the Ladies’ Aid held their annual holiday bazaar from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The day was filled with good food, good fellowship and many crafters offering holiday shopping opportunities. A light lunch was served, along with many wonderful baked goods. This year, we also had a kids’ corner where children could make crafts, listen to Christmas stories, and enjoy a snack. It was a great way to let parents enjoy shopping while their children were well occupied nearby. ✞
AUGUST – NOVEMBER 2010
MARRIAGES Ryan Jakovac to Stephanie Simpson on Saturday, August 7, 2010. (Central) Thomas F. McGinley to Heather Ford on Saturday, September 25, 2010. (Central) Jonathan Wickersham to Nina DiCicco in Lederach on Saturday, September 25, 2010. (Central) Eli Zygmuntowicz to Sarah Bergey on Orcas Island, Washington, on Saturday, July 17, 2010. (Central)
BIRTHS Samuel McBrien Connolly, son of Jeffery and Lauren (McBrien) Connolly, October 7, 2010. (Central) Kamin Julian Scavetti, son of Julian and Tara Scavetti, November 11, 2010. (Central) Althea Ruth Sensenig, daughter of Adam and Bonnye (Buthlay) Sensenig, November 3, 2010. (Central)
DEATHS Robert A. Freed, age 68, husband of Sylvia (Easley) Freed of Lansdale, September 2, 2010. Services September 11, 2010; interment at Garden of Memories in Worcester. (Central) Ralph E. Graber, age 88, husband of Goldie (Fox) Graber of Hereford, July 20, 2010. Services July 26, 2010; interment at Palm Schwenkfelder Cemetery. (Palm) Thomas Dale Pfister, Sr., age 55, husband of Sherry Anne (Paden) Pfister of Morwood, September 3, 2010. Services September 9, 2010; interment at Christ Covenant Cemetery in Mainland. (Central) Colleen E. “Beth” (Thomas) Pusey, age 42, wife of Ralph S. Pusey of Pennsburg, August 5, 2010. Services August 13, 2010; interment at Palm Schwenkfelder Cemetery. (Palm) Victor J. Rumkevicius, age 67, husband of Patricia Rumkevicius of Towamencin, July 21, 2010. Services July 31, 2010; interment at Garden of Memories in Worcester. (Central) Kenneth David Slough, Jr., age 78, husband of Lore (Friend) Slough of West Norriton, October 18, 2010. Services October 23, 2010; interment at Riverside Cemetery, West Norriton, PA. (Olivet) Kenneth G. Tucker, age 77, of Harleysville, husband of the late Mary Lou (Hughes) Tucker, November 15, 2010. Services November 24, 2010; interment at Garden of Memories in Worcester. (Central)
DEDICATIONS Harrison Francis Ottinger, son of Stephanie Firth, October 24, 2010. (Central)
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WINTER 2011
Miriam (Keinard) Zeigler, age 91, of Fairview Village, wife of the late Edward Allen and Robert W. Zeigler, November 16, 2010. Services private; interment at Riverside Cemetery, West Norriton, Pa. (Olivet)
heritage In Retrospect 50 YEARS AGO On August 28, 1960, the fourth annual United Schwenkfelder Youth Fellowship picnic was held at the woodland in Tylersport. 130 people attended the day’s activities which included games of volleyball, badminton and quoits, a supper served by Norristown, the host church, and a talk on Communion by Richard Schweiker. As President of the Lansdale Ministerium, Pastor Jack Rothenberger was privileged to be the first minister to conduct daily devotions on the new radio station in Lansdale —WNPV 1440 on the dial. The ministers of the North Penn area will take turns as the pastor of the week for these devotional broadcasts. Attorney George K. Brecht was honored as he completed 56 years as Moderator of the Norristown Church and also observed the 93rd anniversary of his birth. The Rev. William B. Bradshaw, minister of the Central Schwenkfelder Church, terminated his pastorate on November 15, 1960. He has accepted an opportunity to further his education as a research student in the field of the New Testament, working under a number of professors in Scotland. The Religion Club at Perkiomen School, organized last year by Rev. Fred Trimble, has a new purpose—to obtain a better understanding of the great religions of the world. Plans are to make as many trips as possible to different houses of worship in the Allentown– Philadelphia area. Miss Ruth Kriebel showed slides taken on her trip to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland before a group of golden agers at the Central Church. Of special interest were scenes of the Passion Play at Oberammergau. Leslie Jones was presented the Eagle Scout Award on November 6. Leslie is a member of Boy Scout Troop 133 which is sponsored jointly by Wentz’s United Church of Christ and the Central Schwenkfelder Church. On October 23, in the Lansdale Church as part of the annual layman’s Sunday, the guest speaker was Richard Schweiker, successful candidate for the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Pastor Rothenberger of the Lansdale Church was invited by Governor Lawrence to join about 40 church leaders in a special meeting of all denomi-
BY GLENNA FULMER
national leaders of the State’s Protestant churches, plus Roman Catholic and Jewish leaders, and Health & Welfare representatives in Harrisburg to deal with the problem of juvenile delinquency. ✞
25 YEARS AGO George K. Allison started his duties on July 1, 1985, as Perkiomen School’s 13th Headmaster. On September 29, 1985, at the Lansdale Church, Jonathan K. White was ordained into the Christian ministry as he answered a call to serve there as their pastor. Central Church member Dottie Heebner has been hired to the newly created position of Director of Music. She directed 50 high school, college, and career young people from six area churches in presenting the musical “The Race is On.” Rev. Tom Byron and his wife, Nancy, led a party of nine Central Church members on a wilderness trip to Mt. Washington in June. Rev. Jack Rothenberger and his wife, Jean, led a delegation of five adults and eight Sr. High youths to the International Christian Endeavor convention held at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, in July. They also hosted 21 other people on a trip to Greece during the Summer. At Norristown, the seminary intern, Dr. John K. Gottschall, took over the position of Interim Pastor replacing Rev. David A. Fraser. A call to the pastorate of the Church was given to Rev. A. William Stebbins who will begin his duties October 1, 1985. The Philadelphia Church congregation celebrated the 13th anniversary of services and dedication of Rev. T. Arnold Brooker and his wife Vera. ✞
10 YEARS AGO Dr. H. Drake Williams, III was instrumental in preparing a special issue of THE SCHWENKFELDIAN. The primary purpose was to gain a better understanding of Schwenkfelder thinking, and it included messages from the pastors of our congregations, as well as a speech by Rebecca Kummerer, the Administrative Assistant at the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, given at a recent School of Christ meeting held at the
Hosensack Meetinghouse. Contributing special messages were Rev. David Luz, Dr. Jack Rothenberger, Rev. Thomas Byron, Rev. Gene Jerge, Rev. Karen Gallagher, Rev. Todd Snyder, Rev. Carol Snyder, Rev. Edward Winslow, and Dr. H. Drake Williams. A very heartwarming and nostalgic story about Allebach’s store in Center Point was written by Wilson Allebach of the Central Church. The family-owned store and post office served the community for 56 years. Rev. Carol Snyder, Heidi Snyder, Church Secretary, and Gayle Wallinger of the Palm Church planned a trip to Haiti to work for the Living Hope Mission. The youth group at Olivet-Schwenkfelder UCC sponsored a parents’ shopping day out. They provided baby-sitting services so the parents could go Christmas shopping. Activity at the Lansdale Church was definitely increasing with attendance numbers up. Seven new members were received, a new children’s choir was organized, ladies of the Willing Workers group had several projects under way, and a social time between Sunday School and the worship service was begun. A busy month of September at the Central Church included Rally Day, the Country Fair, and a new members class. Dr. Peter Erb spoke at the annual Day of Remembrance. ✞
A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history. — Mohandas Gandhi
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The Ice Industry in the Upper Perkiomen Valley Sunday, January 23, 2011, 2:00 pm Snow date: January 30, 2011 Larry Roeder, the editor and publisher of the Town and Country Jason Flexer, the current owner of the former Sweinhart/Heimbach Ice Company in East Greenville, now the Nolt Ice Company
February The Pennsylvania Barn Sunday, March 20, 2011, 2:30 pm 2:00 pm—Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center
Friends of the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center Programming
Robert F. Ensminger, author of the Pennsylvania Barn: It’s Origin, Evolution and Distribution in North America
March Field Trip: Kulp’s General Store Museum Sunday, May 1, 2011, 2:00 pm—4:00 pm A completely restored country grocery store with period items! Admission to Kulp’s General Store is free, but a donation is appreciated.