This finding aid is made available for public use following the Universal 1.0 Public Domain Dedication Creative Commons designation.
This collection is open for research.
Onsite storage.
One record cartion was donated to the Union Theological Seminary Library in 1974 after the sixth meeting of NAAE; since then additional donations were made.
This collection is arranged in four series: Administrative records; Correspondence; Conferences; and Ecumenical Education and Theology.
The idea of a national association for ecumenists was first discussed at the Oberlin, Ohio meeting of the North American Faith and Order conference in 1957. Several people concerned with this topic were gathered at that conference and they established the Association of Professors Teaching in Ecumenics. Discussions continued at the Faith and Order conferences held in Denver in 1960 and Montreal in 1963. The Professors of Ecumenics established a Continuation Committee in Montreal. Led by Robert Tobias, Nils Ehrenstrom, Samuel McCrea Cavert, Paul Macy, and Paul Minear, the North American Academy of Ecumenists (NAAE) officially began with their inaugural conference held in 1967. At this time, the Continuation Committee of the North American Professors of Ecumenics was dissolved in favor of the formation of the NAAE. The Academy was composed of college, university and theological seminary professors engaged in studies related to Christian unity. Their goal was "to inform, relate, and encourage men and women professionally engaged in the study, teaching and other practice of ecumenism." The organization is still in existence with an active membership and continues to hold yearly meetings each September. According to a recent NAAE newsletter, membership includes "ecumenically active clergy and laity as well as professors and students. It is an "Academy" by virtue of its members' shared concern for the theological reflection and scholarship that must accompany the movement toward mutual religious understanding and the unity of the Christian Churches."
This collection is part of the William Adams Brown Ecumenical Library Archives, which was founded in 1945 by the Union Theological Seminary Board of Directors.
William Adams Brown Ecumenical Library Archives
Item description, WAB: North American Academy of Ecumenists Records, series #, box #, folder #, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York.
Some material was cataloged by Lynn A. Grove on 1988-08-09. Deteriorating metal clips and staples were removed from materials and folded items were flattened. Materials were placed in new acid-free folders and boxes. Acidic items were separated from one another by interleaving with acid-free paper as needed. The collection was originally organized chronologically, but included notes indicating that records should be reorganized by type. The finding aid was created by Brigette C. Kamsler in 2012 with the support of the Henry Luce Foundation, and edited by Leah Edelman in 2022.
WAB: Robert Tobias papers, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York.
This collection contains administrative documents relating to the structure of the organization from its inception as the Professors of Ecumenics, including minutes and membership records; correspondence relating to the NAAE; conference materials, including planning records, participant lists, reports, pamphlets, agendas, and notes; as well as the original materials relating to the establishment of NAAE, including materials which discuss the advances made in introducing ecumenical studies to theological schools, the Dirks Report, which emerged from the desire to establish an institute in the Western Hemisphere dedicated to ecumenical study, and syllabi from courses gathered at the meeting of the Professors of Ecumenics in 1957.
Some material in this collection may be protected by copyright and other rights. Information concerning copyright, fair use, and reproduction requests can be consulted at Columbia's Copyright Advisory Office.
This series is open for research.
This series is arranged alphabetically.
This series contains documents relating to the structure of the organization from its inception as the Professors of Ecumenics. Included are detailed minutes and other documents relating to the foundation of the group. Membership records include general membership, those that attended the conferences, and membership lists including those who served on various committees.
Including Fellowship of Professors of Missions; Professors of Ecumenics, Oberlin Conference; Professors of Ecumenics, Montreal Conference; Formation of NAAE; Inaugural NAAE Conference.
This series is open for research.
This series is arranged roughly chronologically.
This series contains correspondence relating to the NAAE. The earliest letters deal with the establishment of the Association of Professors of Ecumenics and the creation of the organization, as well as putting out a call for members. The letters discuss a variety of issues and represent many members. Also included is President's Correspondence from Father Ernest R. Falardeau.
This series is open for research.
This series is arranged chronologically.
This series contains conference materials, including planning records, participant lists, reports, pamphlets, agendas, and notes. Conferences discuss the work of the past year and where the organization hopes to grow in the upcoming year, as well as current issues in the field of Ecumenics.
This series is open for research.
This series is arranged roughly chronologically.
This series contains the original materials relating to the establishment of NAAE when it was known as the Association of Professors Teaching in Ecumenics. Highlights include materials from Bossey, Switzerland which discuss the advances made in introducing ecumenical studies to theological schools; the Dirks Report, which emerged from the desire to establish an institute in the Western Hemisphere dedicated to ecumenical study, thought and education; and syllabi from courses gathered at the meeting of the Professors of Ecumenics in 1957.