December 2016
Martin Luther King Day will be observed at Concordia University Chicago on Monday, January 16, 2017, as the inaugural event of the university’s “Reformation 500” anniversary events.
Protestants worldwide will be celebrating this milestone anniversary of the Reformation throughout 2017. The anniversary marks 500 years since Dr. Martin Luther, a monk and university professor in Wittenberg, Germany, posted his 95 theses questioning practices of the Roman Catholic Church on the Castle Church door, October 31, 1517. It was a seminal event leading to the Protestant Reformation, which resulted in a new Lutheran Church and Protestantism worldwide.
This opening event of Concordia’s Reformation 500 anniversary celebration highlights how the Reformation heritage has had far-reaching societal effects, including Protestant expressions of dissent and concern over issues of race relations, equity and justice. The day’s activities also will address the church’s current prophetic role in contemporary issues.
Activities on Martin Luther King Day, January 16, begin at 10 a.m. with worship in the Chapel of Our Lord, on campus, at 7400 Augusta Street, River Forest, Illinois. Clergy of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod are invited to participate in the formal procession (red stoles). Rev. Jeff Howell, senior pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, on Dorchester in the Grand Crossing neighborhood, Chicago, will serve as preacher.
At 11 a.m., also in the Chapel of Our Lord, Rev. Dr. John Nunes, president of Concordia College New York, will lead an examination of Luther’s legacy through the lens of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s important civil rights contributions. A complimentary lunch (reservations required) will be served at noon in the Christopher Center on the southwest corner of campus. Afternoon breakout sessions will follow, with a wrap-up discussion featuring Dr. Nunes, CUC staff and student leaders at 3 p.m.
The free event is for everyone; however, registration is required at the Concordia University Chicago website (click on RSVP).