Local History

Brick Union Church Official Record Book Established 1796 page 1

Media

Part of Official Record Book of Brick Union Lutheran Church

Title

Brick Union Church Official Record Book Established 1796 page 1

Description

The congregation which eventually became Brick Union was organized and drew up an 18th Article Protocol for the management of the Congregation on the 27th day of January, in the year of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 1796. Unfortunately, the first two pages of this agreement are missing from the old Church Book and are presumably lost. Beginning with page three, the reminder of that “Constitution” of the congregation, translated from the German original, follows:

—- we as leaders want above all to strive that we, with God’s merciful assistance, lead a Christian life, give no provocation to the congregation and live so that no one could in truth accuse us of a grave vice.

2. When we recognize that there is an important matter about which we should meet in council, we will make this known to our duly appointed Pastor that he may call the Church Council together.

3. When therefore there be something to be considered and to be decided for the good of the congregation, we shall assemble ourselves in a Church Council and not stay away without very urgent need. But if one or another, for considerable reasons, might not be able to attend the meeting then he shall give his vote to another elder or Deacon, in whom he has best confidence, and he shall indicate that he will be satisfied with that which will be decided upon in unity in the Church Council.

4. When we meet in Church Council, for a happy issue out of our business, we shall begin our meeting with God. Accordingly, we shall be devout in song and prayer, impartial in giving advice, modest in behaviour; when a point is brought up or read, we shall diligently pay attention, ponder the matter silently and seriously with an impartial heart. When it is one or another’s turn to speak, he shall state his opinion distinctly and openly as to what he thinks about the matter and give such council as he deems to be the best for the well-being of the congregation; he shall not advise anyone either out of favor or rancour; not quarrel but with modesty not always have the first word nor want to demand that everything must go according to his desire, even though he in his opinion might mean it well. Thus we want to ponder the matter together in Church Council, but in order to avoid all tumult, disorder, and confusion, only one shall speak at a time, and that without violence, not in anger, nor in love for power, nor like the quarrelors and impetuous ones. No one shall presume special privilege for himself even though he be older, richer, or more distinguished than the other, for in Church Council one has as much right to speak as another. But if it should turn out that the opinions should differ than each one shall state his opinion separately; every elder, deacon, also the regular Minister of the congregation (who is always a member of the Church Council) shall have a voice and what the majority decides shall be the decision of the Church Council and we shall seek to make such decision acceptable to the congregation and he whose opinion did not prevail shall therefore not become angry with the others for God likes Christian order and not disorder.

5. When the meeting of the Church Council is concluded, each one shall return to his home or his business and shall not reveal what has come before the Church Council to strangers whom it does not concern but as Christian Leaders to be completely silent in such matters.

6. None of us Elders or Deacons shall, at his own discretion or pleasure, change, undertake or decide anything unless it be decided by the whole Church Council or by a majority vote in the way indicated above. For we do not at all want that one alone should dominate in the governing of the congregation, nor follow his own opinion, so that the God of peace and Christian freedom may be among us.