The Deaconess Biographies Project exists to produce biographical archives on the life and work of all women who have served as deaconesses in the parishes, institutions, or mission endeavors of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod or the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America. Materials collected by the Project will be used to publish a Biographical Encyclopedia of LCMS Deaconesses. The completed collection of information, photographs, and artifacts will be placed at Concordia Historical Institute (St. Louis), where it will be accessible to the public for historical exhibits, research, writing, and genealogy.
Are you a deaconess? Or have you ever been acquainted with a deaconess?
YOU CAN HELP!
- View the "List of Deaconesses" to see if you know or knew any of the women
- Provide Information, photographs, or artifacts related to the deaconess you know
- Provide contact details for deaconesses or others who might have information about a deaconess
- Make a tax-deductible gift toward the cost of acid-free archive folders and boxes, postage, website maintenance, and other Project expenses
PROJECT TIMELINE
The Project is designed to be carried out in four phases:
Phase One: Creating website and other communication tools; setting up a physical project administration center (computer systems, shelves, archive folders and boxes, etc.) [9 months]
Phase Two: Soliciting, receiving, and archiving information related to all of the deaconesses and their work as agents of mercy on behalf of the church. [3 years]
Phase Three: Writing and publishing a Biographical Encyclopedia with an entry for each of the deaconesses. [1 Year]
Phase Four: Depositing the archives at Concordia Historical Institute and establishing a mechanism for the ongoing collection of information about LCMS deaconesses as they complete training and begin work in the synod’s churches, institutions, and missions. [3 months]
CURRENT PROGRESS
Project Director Cheryl D. Naumann announced the beginning of Phase One on June 4, 2009 and launched the Project website on March 1, 2010. Phase Two began on March 4, 2010 and is expected to take a full three years.
PHASE ONE PHOTO GALLERY
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