Letter to the Editor

After considerable study, I want to write in support of the recommendations of the Committee on the Office of General Assembly (COGA). Today, I find myself wishing that when we united our two denominations in 1983 we had combined both historical societies into one facility.

Since 2000 COGA has been wrestling with the future of the Montreat Office of the Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS). COGA employed the services of independent consultants Robert Warner and Elizabeth Yakel to study PHS and to make recommendations for carrying out its continuing mission in the 21st century.

The most significant conclusions of the consultants were:

• The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) cannot financially support two office locations.
• For the PHS to be effective in the 21st century – now with incredible electronic advances – changes need to be made, including consolidation of the PHS facilities.
• Stronger educational programs need to be developed to allow Presbyterian history to inform and enrich the future of the PC(U.S.A.).

COGA recognizes the importance of the Historical Foundation facility in Montreat to many Presbyterians in the Southeast. Therefore, they have suggested a new partnership. The rationale for COGA recommendations include the following:

“Representatives from CTS (Columbia Theological Seminary) and PHS (Presbyterian Historical Society) have been meeting to determine what records and materials will go to the seminary’s campus in Decatur, Georgia and what will go to the PHS office in Philadelphia. The process will involve taking into consideration both the ecclesiastical, custodial obligations PHS has from the church’s Book of Order, and ownership issues surrounding the remaining materials that include library volumes, personal papers, and historical artifacts.”

“The Book of Order offers some guidance in this process. In part, G-9.0406 states, ‘All minutes and other official records of existing and dissolved sessions, minutes and other official records of existing and dissolved presbyteries and synods that are no longer required for frequent reference, are to be deposited for preserving and servicing with the Depart of History (Presbyterian Historical Society) or in a temperature and humidity controlled environment of a seminary of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).’”

“The COGA recommendations ask the General Assembly to (1) Celebrate the long and faithful stewardship of the archives and historical collections of the Presbyterian Church at the Presbyterian Historical Foundation (PHS) facility in Montreat, North Carolina. (2) Acknowledge the sadness on closing the Montreat facility felt by Presbyterians who live in the Southeast and have a strong attachment to the presence of the PHS in Montreat. (3) Celebrate the future use of the Montreat facility as part of the ministry of the Montreat Conference Center while maintaining an exhibit hall for historical artifacts. (4) Celebrate the establishment of the Program for the Study of Presbyterian and Reformed History and Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary which will include educational opportunities at Columbia and Montreat. (5) Acknowledge the legal and Book of Order responsibilities the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has for the denominational records of the PC(U.S.A.) and its antecedent denominations, including the United Presbyterian Church of North America, the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and the Presbyterian Church in the United States. (6) Encourage every congregation, presbytery, and synod to make careful and adequate provisions for the long-term preservation of their historic papers and records."

In 1966 I became an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.), I believe that the recommendations of COGA are worthy of your support.

Reginald "Reg" V. Parsons
Synod Executive/Stated Clerk
Synod of South Atlantic
118. E. Monroe Street
3rd Floor
Jacksonville, Fl 32202
(904) 356-6070