Collection VI/05/008 - Words of Cheer Correspondence

Identity area

Reference code

US MCUSAA VI/05/008

Title

Words of Cheer Correspondence

Date(s)

  • 1928-1940 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

0.10 Linear Feet; 1 folder (shares a half archives box with VI-05-005)

Context area

Name of creator

(1908-2010)

Administrative history

Since its beginning in 1908, the Mennonite Publishing House operated on a tight budget, trying to operate as a business selling a product and at the same time producing resources that were important to the Mennonite church. Unsecured loans, or debenture notes, were made to the Mennonite Publishing House from early on to help make ends meet. When U. S. securities regulations changed to limit the use of debenture notes, the Joint Executive Committee of Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada told the Mennonite Publishing House to address the debenture note issue. Suddenly, the Mennonite Publishing House had to repay 2.4 million to the 122 debenture holders. This set the demise of the Mennonite Publishing House into motion.

During the process of merging General Conference Mennonite Church and Mennonite Church publishing agencies, the financial stresses of both agencies became apparent. Both were operating at a loss. In 2001, Faith and Life Press had an operating loss of $167,211, and MPH had a loss of $369,430. Combined losses in 2002 were $793,079.

A full audit disclosed operating losses and debts of $5.1 million, including the debenture notes in 2004.\

In November 2010, Mennonite Church Canada joined Mennonite Church USA in approving MPN’s merger with Third Way Media and its relocation to Harrisonburg, Virginia. The merged entity was named MennoMedia.

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

A thin folder of Betty Weber's incoming and outgoing correspondence pertaining to children's stewardship of mission and relief work.  The correspondence came about as a follow up to an article that appeared in the (old) Mennonite Church periodical Words of Cheer in 1947.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Flat

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

These materials are open for public research.

Conditions governing reproduction

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright owned by the Mennonite Church USA Archives.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

Language and script notes

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

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Notes area

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Description control area

Description identifier

ArchonInternalCollectionID:1641

Institution identifier

Rules and/or conventions used

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

2014-11-18

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

Sources

Accession area

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