This fall, Augsburg College hosted alumni, faculty, staff, and听community members for听an international travel experience听that took participants to the Czech Republic听and Germany, which is听in the midst of a tourism boom听accompanying the anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. The travelers visited听Wittenberg, the long-time home of Reformation catalyst Martin Luther, and ventured to historic sites to learn about the origins of the Lutheran faith from Augsburg College Religion Department faculty members Hans Wiersma and Lori Brandt Hale.
Star Tribune reporter Jean Hopfensperger and photographer Jerry Holt accompanied the group to chronicle how Minnesotans are observing听the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in the “Land of Luther” in addition to the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” given that religious, arts, and cultural organizations across Minnesota are planning听special events and exhibits to mark the occasion.
As Hopfensperger wrote, “Luther鈥檚 legacy is particularly deep in Minnesota, and not just because of his followers鈥� enduring embrace of hymn fests 鈥� often followed by Jell-O and hot dish. One in four residents trace their namesake faith to the monk from Wittenberg.”
In a Star Tribune story, Augsburg alumnae听Carol Pfleiderer ’64 and听Kathleen Johnson ’72听described their excitement with听the trip itinerary and the ways it reflects and builds upon their understanding of their faith.
The Rev. Mark Hanson ’68, the College’s Executive Director of the , was among other alumni quoted in the article. He described some of the ways the Lutheran church is using the Reformation anniversary to foster Lutheran-Catholic dialogue and to make the church accessible to all people.
Read, “” on the Star Tribune site.
Ever thought of the Exile as a 40-year timeout? Did you know Mary Magdelene’s pet peeve is artists who paint her as “that kind of woman”? And has it ever occurred to you that it would be cool if the Salome said to have been at Jesus’ tomb was the very same Salome who bumped off John the Baptist?
On October 31, 1517, a theologian, university professor, and outlaw named Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of All Saints’ Church. This act, which marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, is celebrated at Augsburg College with the Founders Day Reformation Lecture series, this year featuring professor Deanna Thompson, chair of the Religion department at Hamline College.