On Oct. 27-28, 2017, the Luther Seminary community invites everyone to gather to celebrate and commemorate 500 years of Reformation history.
The event will feature two keynote speakers, Deanna Thompson and Don Saliers.
Deanna A. Thompson will speak on Friday. Thompson is professor of religion at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn. Honored as faculty member of the year by both faculty and students at Hamline, she is also author of numerous books, including “Crossing the Divide: Luther, Feminism, and the Cross,” and most recently, “The Virtual Body of Christ in a Suffering World.” Thompson speaks to a wide range of audiences on issues ranging from the legacy of Luther to the intersection of cancer, faith and hope. She also writes for publications like The Christian Century, Huffington Post and Gather magazine. To read Thompson’s Grace blog, view videos or check her speaking schedule, go to www.deannaathompson.com.
Don E. Saliers will speak on Saturday and his address is titled, “Saints and Sinners Sound the Glory: The Reformation’s Musical Legacy.” Saliers returned to Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 2014 as theologian-in-residence after retiring in 2007 as the William R. Cannon Distinguished Professor of Theology and Worship. For many years he directed the Master of Sacred Music program at Emory, and was an organist and choirmaster at Cannon Chapel for 35 years. Before joining the Candler faculty in 1974, Saliers taught at Yale Divinity School and has taught in summer programs at Notre Dame, Boston College, Vancouver School of Theology, St. John’s University and Boston University School of Theology.
An accomplished musician, theologian and scholar of liturgics, Saliers is the author of 15 books on the relationship between theology and worship practices, as well as more than 150 articles, essays, chapters in books and book reviews. He co-authored A Song to Sing, a Life to Live with his daughter Emily Saliers, a member of the Indigo Girls.
In addition to hearing these keynote speakers, you are also invited to participate in presentations and workshops by more than 25 theologians and musicians on Luther Seminary’s campus throughout the weekend. On Friday evening, the National Lutheran Choir will perform “Holy Spirit Mass,” a new choral work written by Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen and commissioned for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, at Ted Mann Concert Hall in Minneapolis. The celebration will culminate with a worship service on Saturday afternoon at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis with ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton preaching and massed choirs from area churches.
This event is hosted by Luther Seminary and the National Lutheran Choir and sponsored by Central Lutheran Church.
You can register for this event here.