Hello and Welcome to .....
Gloria Dei ( Glory to God )
3711 Ridge Road
Highland, Indiana

Documenting Our History is an on going project, and many missing details are needed for a better picture. History has already determined where we are now, describing how we got here and indicates with-out certainty where we are going. Can it provide insight for planning the future? Beyond answering this open question, there is value in understanding as a fact that our memories lack capacity for detail. Written records and documents always serve us better than our memory alone. If nothing else, history is valuable to serve the curiosity of future generations.

I can relate the story of a tornado victim who no longer had a home. He was asked by a television reporter “What possesion do you value most for what is lost?” His answer was "The family picture album beacuse it cannot be replaced! We survived the storm for which we are thankful and most everything else can be replaced."

His answer here serves two purposes. First, it illustrates the importance of lost family pictures to the tornnado victim. Second, it illustrates how this story would hold much more weight with additonal details. Details for example about the television station and reoporter on the scene. Where did the victim live? When did it happen? How did he survive? Such details would substatiate the story and make it more meaningful. The story I related is absolutely true, but there are no substantiating facts provided. The details and facts are exactly the things that are needed in constructing a congregtion’s history. And each additioal picture is worth a thousand words!

The Need for Local Histories
Quote from Alban Institute “Congregation resource for church historians.”

The Bible includes much historical material and its' writers were very history-conscious. In the 32nd chapter of Deuteronomy this history-consciousness was highlighted: “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations.” This concern for the preservation of the historical record continued into the New Testament, especially in such writers as Luke. Thus, our Judeo-Christian forebears included historians who recognized the value of preserving the historical record. We would do well in our day to take steps to see that the past life and events of our local congregation are preserved for future generations.”