You may have heard that this Reformation Sunday is an extra big deal. October 31, 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther posting his Ninety-Five Theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany – an act that sparked the Lutheran Reformation. For many years, Roman Catholics and Lutherans have been striving to find common ground and heal divisions in the Church.
This fall, we commemorate this anniversary and celebrate the steps toward unity in a variety of ways, both locally and regionally, including some exciting events right here in our area. REFORM: A Roman Catholic-Lutheran Conversation will bring together various voices for worship and learning. Join us as we seek to Rediscover Common Ground, Renew Relationships, and Respond to Local Needs as Jesus Christ calls us into the future. Centering ourselves in Ephesians 3:16-21, “Now to God, who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine,” we’ll explore the many ways that the Holy Spirit continues to work in our lives, congregations, and communities.
Our time together will include a prayer service for unity, panel presentation, small group discussions, and reflections on how we can continue to love and serve the people of God as we respond to local need. The following dynamic voices will invite us into engaging God’s promises and one another as we look to the future.
REFORM: A Roman Catholic-Lutheran Conversation
Tuesday, October 10, 7-9 pm
St. Susanna Church, Mason
with Father Eric Roush, Parochial Vicar at St. Susanna
& The Rev. Jonathan Eilert, Pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
REFORM: A Roman Catholic-Lutheran Conversation
Thursday, October 19, 7-9 pm
Christ the King Lutheran Church, West Chester
with Father Norm Langenbrunner, former Pastor at Sacred Heart
& The Rev. Brian Ferguson, Pastor at First Lutheran Church
REFORM: A Roman Catholic-Lutheran Conversation
Saturday, October 21, 10 am-noon
St. Maximillian Kolbe Church, Liberty Twp.
with Dr. Martin Madar, Professor at Xavier University
& The Rev. Lisa Bernheisel, Pastor at The Presbyterian Church of Wyoming
We are offering the same program three times in various locations in the hope that more people can participate.
Sign up is requested. Sign up today online today.
A freewill offering will be taken for Matthew 25:Ministries for Hurricane Relief.
In addition to the REFORM events, please be sure to explore these other events in the area:
THE REFORMATION: CATHOLIC & LUTHERAN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
Commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation
Thursday, October 12, 7 pm
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
7770 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati and ELCA Southern Ohio Synod are sponsoring conversations this Fall to understand the origins of the Reformation, our differences, and our growing unity in Christ. Dr. Mengel (Xavier University Dean of College of Arts and Sciences and History Professor) will highlight the historical roots of the reformation. Fr. Endres (Dean of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and the Athenaeum of Ohio) will speak about the reforming movement’s impact on the Catholic Church leading up to the Council of Trent. Both will also speak to our hopes for a future of greater reconciliation and unity.
SOUTHERN OHIO SYNOD REFORMATION SERVICE
Sunday, October 22, 4 pm
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
5475 Brand Road, Dublin
Join Bishop Dillahunt and hundreds from around Southern Ohio for a synod wide Reformation Service in observance of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The worship service will be followed by a fellowship dinner provided by the members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Please be in touch with the church office (
FESTIVAL CHORAL SERVICE to COMMEMORATE THE REFORMATION
Sunday, October 29, 7:30 pm
Weaver Chapel, Wittenberg University
200 W. Ward Street, Springfield
This service commemorates the Reformation on its 500th anniversary, and thanks God in word, prayer, and song for the reconciliation in the Gospel that is occurring among Lutherans, Catholics, and other Christians in the one, universal Church. The service will include the participation of both Catholic and Lutheran clergy, and laypersons of a variety of Christian traditions. Please be in touch with the church office (
500th REFORMATION ANNIVERSARY
Joint Prayer Service
October 29, 4 pm
Kumler Chapel, Miami University
Join Father Jeffery P. Silver, members, and friends of St. Mary Catholic Church along with Pastor Logan Dysart, members, and friends of Faith Lutheran Church for this service of prayer and hope in Oxford.
REFORMATIONS OF THE 16TH CENTURY:
MARTIN LUTHER AND HIS WORLD 500 YEARS LATER
A conference on the European religious reformations of the sixteenth century
November 2-3
Miami University Art Museum
802 W. Patterson Ave. (U.S. 27), Oxford
This conference will host a variety of voices and topics, including:
Thursday, November 2
4:30 pm Martin Luther and the Reformation
The Rev. Dr. Joy A. Schroeder, Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University
Friday, November 3
9 am Martin Luther the Radical Prophet, Dr. Ronald Rittgers,
Eric Markel, Valparaiso University
10:15 am Panel Discussion: Reformation and Language
Tudor and Stuart England – Peter Williams (Comparative Religion)
Germany – John M. Jeep (German)
Scandinavia – Ruth H. Sanders (German)
11:15 am The Theology and Politics of Jewish Liturgical Change in the 16th Century
Rabbi Dr. Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi, Hebrew Union College
1 pm Three Surprises about Women in the Reformation and Counter-Reformation
Renee Baernstein, Miami University
1:45 pm Panel discussion: Reformations Beyond the Germanic World
France – William Brown (History)
Italy – Wietse de Boer (History)
Eastern Europe – TBA
3 pm The Shroud of Turin as Image and Relic in the Age of Reform
Andrew Casper, Miami University
This event is co-sponsored by Miami University Humanities Center, Faith Lutheran Church, and Hillel at Miami University. Free and open to the public.
These are exciting days to be the Church of Christ! Make time in your schedule for one – or several – of these commemorative events. Who knows, God may use them to reshape and reform you!
Always being made new,
Pastor Lowell