In observing the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, all are invited to an Evening Prayer for Christian unity Sunday, Sept. 10, at 5 p.m. at St. John’s Abbey and University Church.
At 5:30 p.m., a reception will be held at the Great Hall. During the reception, St. Cloud Bishop Donald Kettler and Michael Hemesath, president of St. John’s University, will deliver welcoming remarks. An opening reflection, “The Past as Prologue: The Reformation and the Challenge of Religious Relation,” will be given by the Rev. Dr. Olav Fyske Tveit, general secretary for the World Council of Churches. A panel discussion will follow.
There is no cost but registration is requested for the event. For more information or to register, visit www.csbsju.edu/news/reformationobservances.
The event follows another on Sept. 9: “Here We Stand: Reforming Anew,” which will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Gorecki Conference Center at the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph.
The keynote speaker is Dr. Kathryn Johnson, director for ecumenical and inter-religious relations for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Her address, “What Difference Does This Anniversary Make?” and the response of Benedictine Abbot John Klassen, of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, will bring to light the gifts of the Spirit to both Catholic and Lutheran religious traditions throughout their history and at this moment.
There will be time for conversation and questions for the speakers. The dialogue will continue at lunch; the day will end with prayer, ritual and song.
Those interested are asked to visit https://sbm.osb.org and click first on “Here We Stand” and then on “register online.”