2017 marks two significant anniversaries in the life of St. Timothy. First, on the international front, Lutherans around the world are observing 2017 as the 500th year of the Lutheran Church. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses upon the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. While Lutherans join all Christians in regarding that Pentecost nearly 2,000 years ago, as recorded in Acts 1, as the true birth of the Church, 1517 certainly marks the beginning of a reforming movement within the Church catholic, of which we are part. Traditionally, Reformation Day (usually the Sunday before October 31) has been observed as a sort of Lutheran Independence Day. Generations of Lutherans celebrated their separation from the Roman Catholic Church and their particularity among Christian groups. In an increasingly secular world, and following nearly two generations of ecumenical dialogue, it seems inappropriate for us to focus on the divisions within the Body of Christ.

At its core, the Lutheran movement sought to reform within the Church catholic, rather than establish a new church. Although the publication of the 95 Theses (each one a statement for debate regarding the sale of indulgences) eventually led to division in the church, many of the innovations of the Lutheran reformation were eventually adopted by the Roman Church. Throughout the world, Lutherans are inviting ecumenical partners to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the 95 Theses as an opportunity for dialogue and reconciliation. I’m hoping that we at St. Timothy may join in such an observance and have already begun dialogue with a local Catholic parish.

The other anniversary in 2017 is one that hits even closer to home. St. Timothy will celebrate its 60th anniversary on September 29, the feast of St. Michael and All Angels. September 29 falls on a Friday next year, so I suspect that we’ll celebrate our anniversary on either September 23, the Sunday before, or October 1, the following Sunday. Better yet, we’ll probably want to devote more than a single Sunday to the celebration of God’s goodness. Between Lutheranism’s 500th and St. Timothy’s 50th, we should be able to find numerous opportunities to celebrate our heritage.

It’s appropriate that we begin planning our observance of both anniversaries well in advance of next autumn. If you’d like to be part of the planning committee, please let me know as soon as possible.

In Jesus’ name,

Pastor Robert M. Mountenay