First Presidents: Maria Pauls, Anne Harder, Frieda Peters, Irene Klassen & Marie Tiessen
Accession 2002.001, 2003.016, 2003.017, 2005.018, 2009.016, 2014.017, 2016.008 (All filed with 2002.001), 2024.002 and 2024.003
Title and Physical Description
Alberta Women in Mission fonds. — 1947-2016, predominant 1982-2005. — Ca 1 m of textual records. — Ca. 451 photographs. — 3 slides.
Administrative/Biographical History
Alberta Women in Mission (AWM) was organized in 1948 as an auxiliary of the Conference of Mennonites in Alberta, but typically reported to and received resources from Canadian Women in Mission (CWM). The role of the AWM has been for Mennonite Church Alberta women to become collectively involved in General Conference relief and mission work by learning about that work and by contributing financially to it.
The first executive consisted of: Mrs. William Pauls, Didsbury, President; Mrs. Jacob Klassen, Countess, Vice-President; and Mrs. H.J. Sawatzky, Didsbury, Secretary-Treasurer. Among the Presidents over the years were: Maria Pauls (1948-1958), Anne Harder (1958-1964), Frieda Peters (1964-1970), Irene Klassen (1970-1975), Marie Tiessen (1975-1977), Margaret Goerzen (1977-1983), Erna Goerzen (1983-1986), Katie Penner (1986-1991), Annemarie Buhler (1991-1997), Jan Wilhelm (1997-2000), and Beth Moyer (2000- ).
Custodial History
The records were passed along from past to current AWM Presidents.
Scope & Content
The fonds consists of three series:
- Administration and Correspondence
- Meetings and Workshops
- Missions Groups Annual Activity Reports.
Source of Acquisition
Gift by Alberta Women in Mission through Presidents Jan Wilhelm, Beth Moyer, Rita Dahl and Ellie Janz in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2014.
Finding Aids
Related Materials
For records related to the AWM fonds, see MHSA Mennonite Church Alberta fonds (Box 3.22-465, 470-471, and 473), and Bergthal Women in Mission fonds
For books related to the AWM, see for example, Alberta Mennonite Women in Mission, 1947-1977 [BX 8103AWM ALB]
Notes
Accession 2002.001, 2003.016, 2003.017, 2005.018, 2009.016, 2014.017, 2016.008 (All filed with 2002-001), 2024.002 and 2024.003
Language – some records in German
Last updated 31 July 2014 Ted Regehr
Revised 31 July 2013, Ted Regehr
Series Inventory
Administration & Correspondence. — 1962-2000. — 45 cm of textual records. — The series consists of several versions of the AWM constitution, organizational planning and evaluative records, and correspondence primarily between presidents and parties in the CWM and GCWM organizations, between presidents and contacts in the individual missions groups, or with supported missionaries. Arranged by date.
1 – 1 Minutes, and Constitution – 1971-1985
1 – 2 Program Books and Minutes – 1971-1996 (a & b)
5 – 82 Miscellaneous Reports, Scripts used by Alberta Women in Mission – 1974-1985
5 – 83 The manual of Women in Mission of the General Conference Mennonite Church. – 3rd printing (rev.). – 1983.
5 – 84 Women in Mission : symbol, structure, purpose, historical highlights, goals for the ’80s. – [1982]
1 – 3 Minutes and Policy Manual – 1982
1 – 4 Address Lists – 1982-1997
1 – 5 Job Descriptions – 1977-1983
1 – 6 Policy Manual – 1990
1 – 7 Constitution – 1991
1 – 8 General Conference Women in Mission Constitution, Minutes, Correspondence, etc. – 1991-1995
1 – 9 Constitution, Newsletters, Reports, Correspondence, Guest Book, and Notes – 1991-1997
1 – 10 Constitution – 1995
1 – 11 Correspondence and Minutes – 1996
1 – 12 Evaluation, Fall – 1998
1 – 13 Constitution, Presidents, Conference Planning, etc. – n.d.
1 – 14 Correspondence – 1962-1964
1 – 15 Correspondence with Canadian Conference – 1963-1973
2 – 16 Missionary letters – Missions, Newton, etc. – 1968-1979
2 – 17 Correspondence – 1970
2 – 18 Correspondence – 1970-1973
2 – 19 Correspondence with Canadian Women in Mission – 1972-1977
2 – 20 Correspondence – 1974-1975
2 – 21 Invitations – 1975
2 – 22 Correspondence – 1975-1976
2 – 23 Correspondence – 1975-1977
2 – 24 Canadian Women in Mission Constitution – 1975-1984
2 – 25 Correspondence – 1976-1982
2 – 26 Correspondence with Canadian Conference, Calgary – 1979
2 – 27 Correspondence and Minutes – 1977-1979
2 – 28 Correspondence – 1977-1982
2 – 29 Correspondence- 1982-1987
2 – 30 Correspondence – 1982-1987
2 – 31 Correspondence – 1988-1991
2 – 32 Correspondence – 1988-1991
2 – 33 Notes, Correspondence, etc. – 1991-1997
2 – 34 Notes, Correspondence, etc. 1991-97
5 – 73 Correspondence – Missionaries – 1994-2000
5 – 74 Meeting Agendas and Notes – 1994-2002
3 – 35 Canadian Women in Mission Address Lists – 1994/5 and 1995/96
5 – 77 Correspondence – 1996-2002
5 – 79 Correspondence – General Conference Women in Mission – 1997-1998
3 – 36 Local Letters – n.d.
3 – 37 History – n.d.
3 – 38 Friesland Hospital Correspondence – n.d.
Meetings/Workshops. — 1947-2016. — 23 cm of textual records. — ca 430 photographs, 3 slides, numerous slide negatives — The series consists of instructional resource packages from the Canadian Women in Mission or General Conference Women in Mission, missionaries or other religious publications. Arranged by date.
5 – 85 Devotional services with scripture, hymns and prayers. – 1947
5 – 86 Women’s activity letter. – 1972-1977
3 – 39 Workshop Packet – 1975
5 – 87 Devotional packet. – [ca. 1975-ca. 1977]
3 – 40 Conference Event Planning – 1977
5 – 88 Miscellaneous Canadian Women in Mission resources. – 1974-1987
5 – 89 Miscellaneous General Conference Women in Mission resources. – [ca. 1978-ca. 1987]
5 – 90 Women’s Missionary and Service Commission Bible study guide. – 1978-1979
5 – 91 Abortion packet. – [1980]. – Information on abortion issues
5 – 92 Window to mission. – 1981-1988
3 – 41 Executive Workshop – 1982-1987
3 – 42 Resource Materials – 1982-1995
5 – 71 General Conference Women in Mission – Report to Council of Commissions 1989-1991
3 – 43 Commission on Overseas Mission Speakers Bureau – 1989-1992
5 – 72 [Annual General Meetings – Reports, Minutes and Plans] – 1990-2002
5 – 93 Women in Leadership Ministries resource packet. – [ca. 1990]
5 – 94 Commission on Overseas Mission : resources. – 1986-1988
5 – 95 Miscellaneous notes. – [ca. 1987-ca. 1993]
3 – 44 Resource Packet – 1991-1992
3 – 45 Resource Packet – 1992-1993
5 – 75 Conferences – 1996-1999
5 – 76 Board Members and Representatives and Conference Program Outline – 1996-2000
3 – 46 WM and WMSC Study Guide – 1997-1998
3 – 47 General Conference Women in Mission Resource Packet – 1997
5 – 80 Canadian Women in Mission – Reports and Correspondence – 1997-2000
5 – 81 Conference of Mennonites in Alberta – Reports, Notes – 1999-2000
5 – 96 Photograph film negatives, ca. 1987-1996.
5 – 97 – 10 Photographs of projects supported by General Conference Women in Mission, 1995-1996.
5 – 98 – 32 photos, 1986-1988.
3 – 49 General Conference Mennonite Church Triennial Conference Resource Package and Minutes – n.d.
5-99 Accession 2016.008. MCA Women Poster (re)make 2016.
Missions Groups Annual Reports. — 1964-2005. — 23 cm of textual materials. — The series consists of annual statistical and financial activity reports submitted by individual congregational women’s missions groups throughout Alberta. They contain congregational details, names of leaders, membership numbers, the volume of funds raised and the causes to which the funds are designated. Arranged by date.
3 – 50 Missions Group Annual Reports – 1964-1966
3 – 51 Missions Group Annual Reports – 1968-1969
3 – 52 Missions Group Annual Reports – 1968-1969
3 – 53 Missions Groups Annual Reports – 1969
3 – 54 Missions Groups Annual Reports – 1971
4 – 55 Missions Groups Annual Rep0rts – 1972
4 – 56 Missions Groups Annual Reports – 1972
4 – 57 Missions Groups Annual Reports – 1973
4 – 58 Missions Groups Annual Reports – 1975
3 – 59 Missions Group Annual Reports – 1976
3 – 60 Missions Group Annual Reports – 1978
4 – 61 Missions Groups Annual Reports – 1979
4 – 62 Missions Group Annual Reports – 1980
3 – 63 Missions Group Annual Reports – 1981
4 – 64 Missions Groups Annual Reports – 1982 and 1984
4 – 65 Missions Group Annual Reports – 1982-1997
4 – 66 Missions Groups Annual Reports – 1982-1989
4 – 67 Missions Group Annual Reports and Correspondence – 1983
4 – 68 Missions Groups Annual Reports – 1990-1996
4 – 69 Missions Group Annual Reports – 1992-1993 and 1996-1995
5 – 99 Missions Groups Annual Reports – 2005-2012
5 – 101 Alberta Women in Mission Enrichment Days, 29 & 30 April 2005 (Accession 2005.018)
5 – 78 Local Group – Annual Reports – 1996-2005
Accession 2024.002. – Files of the AWM representatives on the Camp Valaqua Board. – 1993-2004. – 15 cm
This accession consists of files created by the Alberta Women in Mission representatives on the Camp Valaqua Board. The women serving in that capacity were Judy Harder, 1993-1995, Josie Dyck, 1995-1998, and Kathy Peters, 1998-2003 and Beverly Janzen 2003-2006. The files include much information about Camp Valagua, but contain AWM minutes, correspondence, reports and financial statements, and some Canadian Women in Mission material. They were donated by Ellie Janz who served as the Secretary/Treasurer of Alberta Women in Mission from 2004 to 2017.
1-1 Alberta Women in Mission, Camp Valaqua representative file, 1993.
1-2 Alberta Women in Mission, Camp Valaqua representative file, 1994
1-3 Alberta Women in Mission, Camp Valaqua representative file, 1995-1996.
1-4 Alberta Women in Mission, Camp Valaqua representative file, 1997-1998.
1-5 Alberta Women in Mission, Camp Valaqua representative file, 1999-2000.
1-6 Alberta Women in Mission, Camp Valaqua representative file, 2001-2002.
1-7 Alberta Women in Mission, Camp Valaqua representative file, 2003.
1-8 Alberta Women in Mission, Camp Valaqua representative file, 2004-2005.
Accession 2024.003. – Files and Financial Ledgers. – 1985-2017. – 15 cm
This accession consists of files created or held and donated by Ellie Janz who served as Secretary/Treasurer of Alberta Women in Mission from 2004 to 1917.
1-1 Alberta Women in Mission Constitution amendment, 1991 and 2005.
1-2 Alberta Women in Mission Minute book, 2005-2012.
1-3 Alberta Women in Mission Executive and Annual Meeting minutes, 2003-2012
1-4 Alberta Women in Mission, Financial Reports, 2004-2015
1-5 Alberta Women in Mission, Sessions (list), 1948-2013
1-6 Alberta Women in Mission, Address Lists. 1997-2007
1-7 Alberta Women in Mission, Registration book, 1990-2012
1-8 Alberta Women in Mission, Women’s Retreat, 2004-2015
1-9 Alberta Women in Mission, Project Sheets, 1985
1-10 Alberta Women in Mission, Project Sheets, 2004-2015
1-11 Alberta Women in Mission, Student tuition assistance, 2005-2015
1-12 Alberta Women in Mission, correspondence/subject file, 1983-1988
1-13 Alberta Women in Mission, correspondence/subject file, 2002-2012
1-14 Alberta Women in Mission, correspondence/subject file, 2013-2017
Photographs, separated and stored in MHSA Images, Box 1, 452 photographs
Several different sets of photographs were part of Accession 2002.001 which was the first accession received by the archives of the Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta. That accession included files and photographs which had been temporarily stored by Henry and Erna Goerzen, and then a much larger collection of files and photographs was donated by Jan Wilhelm. The photographs received in 2002 comprised seven separate series, but the origin of each series is not given in the accession records and the assignment of accession numbers for this first MHSC accession is not consistent with later MHSA practices. Thirty-two additional photographs were received in 2014 and have been placed in Accession 20001.001, Box 5, File 98. Several packages of photo negatives, most probably taken by Irene Klassen, are available in 2002.001 Box 5, Folder 96. The photographs were almost all taken at annual meetings or special events sponsored by the Alberta Women in Mission.
Accession 2001.001 – 114 photographs
These photographs were probably stored on the Goerzen farm before they were transferred to the Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta in 2002. They pertain to the following meetings. The numbering of the photographs is inconsistent, changing within what are clearly photographs of the same meeting. Identification is tentative, based on only very occasional notes on the backs of some photographs.
- 2001.001.001 to 2001.001.017 – 1989 Spring Conference and Annual Meeting in Tofield
- 2001.001.018 to 2001.001.038 – 1990 Spring Conference and Annual Meeting at First Mennonite Church, Calgary
- 2001.001.039 to 2001.001.44 – 1990 Retreat hosted by the Lethbridge Ladies
- 2001.001.45 to 2001.001.48 – 1991 Spring Conference and Annual Meeting in Springridge.
- 2001.001.49 to 2001.001.60- 1992 Spring Conference and Annual Meeting at First Mennonite Church, Edmonton
- 2001.001.61 to 2001.100.72 – 1992 Spring Conference and Annual Meeting at First Mennonite Church, Edmonton, continued with slightly different numbering
- 2001.100.73 to 2001.100.80 – 1986 Spring Conference and Annual Meeting at Foothills Mennonite Church, Calgary
- 2001.100.81 to 2001.100.85 – October 1986 retreat at Camp Valaqua
- 2001.100.86 to2001.100.96 – 1987 Spring Conference and Annual Meeting at Rosemary
- 2001.100.97 to 2001.100.102 – October 1988 retreat hosted by the Edmonton women
- 2001.100.10 to 2001.1100.114 – 1988 Spring Conference and Annual Meeting at Coaldale
Accession 2002.1 – 100 photographs
It seems likely that these photographs were also stored on the Goerzen farm, but accessioned a little later than those listed above. Identification is tentative, based on only very occasional notes on the backs of some photographs. There are others with have not yet been identified.
2002.1.001-2002.1.015 – 1994 Spring Conference at Coaldale
2002.1.016-2002.1.018 – September 1985 retreat at Camp Valaqua
2002.1.019-2002.1.034 – Photographs not yet identified
2002.1.035 – Mission Workers Banquet at Council of Commissions, 12 March 1994
2002.1.036-2002.1.037 – Photographs not yet identified
2002.1.038-2002.1.063 – 1975 Conference at First Mennonite Church, Calgary
2002.1.064-2002.1.099 – 1996 Annual Conference at Taber
2002.1.100 Rita Dahl, Anne Neufeldt, Anna Marie Buhler, Erna Goerzen, Melita Friesen, J Dyck planning meetomg at the home of Erna Goerzen, Didsbury, Oct. 96, for ’97 AWM 50th anniversary
Accession 2002.001 – 28 Photographs
2002.001.001 – 2002.001.028 – These are not photographs relating directly to the work of Alberta Women in Mission. They relate to work with refugees or immigrants. A few have references to work with students of Hansons. That may be a reference to Hanson College in Brampton, Ontario, which caters only to international students. Some of the photographs may have been taken overseas.
Accession 2002.1.31 – 4 Photographs
2002.1.31.37 – 2002.1.31.43 – 1986 Camp Valaqua Retreat
Accession 2002.1.33 – ca. 80 Photographs
2002.1.33.5, 2002.1.33.8, and 2002.1.33.9 – Three photos from what was apparently a larger collection of photographs of the 1978 Conference in Springridge
2002.1.33.23 Council of Bards, 7-11 Feb. 1980, G. C. Women in Mission (Newton) Filed in MHSA Images Oversize Box 1.
2002.001.033.016 – 2002.001.033.26 – 1979 Annual Conference in Tofield
2002.001.033.028 – 2002.001.033.051 – 1980 Conference in Coaldale
2002.001.033.053 – 2002.001.003.063 – 1981 Conference in Rosemary
2002.001.033.065 – 2002.001.033.074 – 1982 Conference at First Mennonite Church, Calgary
2002.001.033.075 – 2002.001.033.080 – 1978, 1978 Retreats
Accession 2002.1.39 – 41 photographs, 3 slides
2002.1.39.1 – 2002.1.39.4 – unidentified
2002.1.39.5 – 2002.1.39.6 – Conference at First Mennonite Church, Calgary
2002.1.39.7 – 1978 Retreat
2002.1.39.8 – 2002.1.39.28 – 1981 Conference at Rosemary
2002.1.39.29 – 2002.1.39.31 – 1982 Conference at First Mennonite Church, Calgary
2002.1.39.32 – 2002.1.39.41 – unidentified
2002.1.39.42 – 2002.1.39.44 – 3 slides, 1987, Edmonton and Rosemary
See also Accession 2002.001 – Folder 6-96 for a large collection of photograph film negatives, most apparently taken by Irene Klassen
Accession 2002.002 – 53 Photographs
2002.002.001 – 2002.002.009 – 1983 First Mennonite Church, Edmonton
2002.002.010 – 2002.002.023 – 1984 Springridge Mennonite Church
2002.002.024 – 2002.002.025 – 1983 First Mennonite Church, Edmonton
2002.002.026 – 2002.002.032 – 1985 Bergthal Mennonite Church, Didsbury
2002.002.033 – 2oo2.002.053 – 1986 Camp Valaqua/Foothills Mennonite Church, Calgary
Accession 2014.017 – 32 photographs. Filed with Accession 2001.001, Box 5, Folder 98
20 pictures of the 1996 annual conference in Taber
3 pictues of the 1986 Conference at Foothills Mennonite Church
1 pictures of the 1987 conference in Rosemary
3 pictures of the 1992 conferencce in Edmonton
5 pictures of the 1983 retreat at Camp Valaqua