On Tuesday October 31, we commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. This is a timely opportunity for all Christians to turn towards one another in efforts to help answer Jesus’ prayer in John 17 that we would “be one.”
Christians from all over the world will be gathering in Wittenburg this week to pray for 72 hours for healing and reconciliation in the Christian Church. UB Board Member Dr.
Here are 5 key principles from the Wittenburg 2017 :
The overall vision of Wittenburg 2017 is the beauty of a healed, mature, united body of Christ (John 17:20-26). They propose that the primary obstacle is hostility (Eph. 2:14), which divides God’s children and dims the glory of the Church.
We encourage everyone to check out these events happening in the area.
Reformation-Focused events in Boston / Massachusetts:
Catholic Miracles in the Age of Reformations: a History of the Impossible – Carlos Eire, Ph.D., T.L. Riggs Professor of History and Religious Studies at Yale University, will discuss the Reformation and its impact 500 years after the publication of Luther’s 95 Theses on Friday, October 27, at 4:30 p.m. at 500 Salisbury St., Worcester.
Reformation Conference: Boston – A panel of guest speakers looking at the history of the Reformation and discussing why the Reformation still matters in 2017 and beyond. 10:00am to 3:00pm on Saturday October 28 in Quincy.
Reformation Commemoration Conference, 25 speakers on Martin Luther’s theology and actions for the life and ministry of the Church today, October 26 to 28, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, Essex MA.
“Now Thank We All Our God: A Celebration of Five Hundred Years of Continuing Reformation” at 3:00pm on Sunday, October 29, in the chapel of the Society of St. Margaret, in Duxbury, MA.
UniteBoston Dinner & Worship Night, community conversation around our shared mission as Christians and intimate time of worship on Sunday October 29 at 6pm in Revere.
Arts in Celebration! The Word in Color, Action, Music, and Form, an international symposium commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation with sessions on art, theology, and ecumenism from October 27-29 in Orleans, MA.
“Luther and the Reformation” Film and Discussion. Join the BU School of Theology for a showing of Rick Steves’ film Luther and the Reformation. A brief discussion follows the film, and a German-themed dinner is provided. Space is limited! UniteBoston has spots for five people to attend – Email kelly@uniteboston.com to RSVP. October 31 from 6 to 8pm at Marsh Chapel in Boston.
“An Evening with Martin Luther and Friends” experimental theater piece in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation from October 31 to November 4 at Faith Evangelical Free Church in Acton, MA.
A Sunday Service in German Celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation on November 5 at 2:00 pm at the Faith Lutheran Church, Cambridge (311 Broadway) followed by coffee at 3:00 pm. Children welcome! Contact Pastor Robin Lutjohann with questions: 617.945.4395.
Ecumenical Worship Service: 500th Anniversary of the Reformation on November 5 at 3:00pm at St Mary’s Cathedral, Fall River, MA.
Holy Spirit Weekend with Evangelical, Anglican, Catholic, and Pentecostal speakers on November 11 from 9:00am to 7:00pm in Lowell.
UniteBoston City-Wide Dinner Party – Christians from all denominational backgrounds are joining together to build relationships and let our relationships inform how we can better love our neighbors. At this gathering, the UniteBoston team will model the neighborhood dinners that we’re launching throughout the city. Wednesday November 15th at 6pm at Lion of Judah Church in Boston.
Learn more:
Faithlife has created a timeline covering over 1,300 years of Christian history. Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on October 31, 1517, giving voice to ideas that had been stirring in Christendom. Join Faithlife for a Protestant, scriptural-based perspective in exploring the technology and history behind this historic event.
John Armstrong from ACT 3 Network writes on “How Shall We Remember the Protestant Reformation this year?” and “What Luther Means and How Can We Move Toward Unity Now?”
Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity’s latest report “From Conflict to Communion” which encourages Catholics, Lutherans, and all Christians to look back on our history, the last 50 years of ecumenical dialogue, and how we can continue the movement towards the unity that Christ wills for His followers.
One perspective: The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Protestant Reformation by Joseph Mattera
Father Thomas Ryan, director of the Paulist North American Office for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations in Boston writes that the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation is “A Year of Unparalled Opportunity.”
And something fun – “Who Said That?” quiz that tests your understanding of Luther’s utterances.
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