On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany — setting off the Protestant Reformation, which lead to millions splitting from the Catholic Church.
As the world marks the 500th anniversary of that historic event, The United Methodist Church of Germany is taking part in the World Reformation Exhibition in Wittenburg.
The church organized a booth July 11-17 at the exhibit in Wittenberg.
"If we make the renewal power of the gospel work, Reformation will happen at any time”, the bishop is convinced,“ said Bishop Rosemarie Wenner in announcing The United Methodist Church would take part in the exhibit. Wenner, who retired earlier this year, said the church would be present as part of its membership in the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe, which has existed since 1997.
"It is obvious that we are present at the World Reformation Exhibition for at least a week with a small international team of European Methodists,” Wenner said.
Through Sept. 10, churches from all over the world, international institutions, organizations, initiatives and many cultural creators will present their current view of the Reformation at the World Reformation Exhibition.
On big and small stages in the city, an extensive program is offered that organizers said "presents the future at the place where the world was changed 500 years ago.”
The city center is surrounded by seven "gate areas" where themes such as spirituality, ecumenism, culture or justice are presented.
The United Methodist Church booth will be in the gate area for ecumenism and religion with a large, three-dimensional puzzle “Re-formation,” Wenner said.
The puzzle was used two months ago at the “German Kirchentag,” where it attracted a great deal of attention because it allows visitors to experience in a playful way how to deal positively with change.
Special points of attraction during the World Reformation Exhibition are the spectacular 360-degree panorama with pictures of the events of 500 years after Martin Luther's theses, as well as the exhibition of contemporary art under the title "Luther and the avant-garde."
Several places of interest around Luther’s life and work can be seen in the city.
Ruof is the communicator of The United Methodist church in Germany. Contact him at [email protected].
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