450th Anniversary Of Lutheran Reformation

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31498, 12 October 1967, Page 17

450th Anniversary Of Lutheran Reformation

“Ute, New Life,” will be the theme for celebrations throughout New Zealand this month to mark the 450th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. The observance of the anniversary commemorates the historic act of Martin Luther on October 3L 1517, when he posted his famous 95 theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. - This act will form the basis of a discussion in St Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church, Bryndwr, on October 17, when the Rev. G. D. Nbller, of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, will be the guest speaker. Other celebrations in Christchurch Will include the study of the Augsburg Confession. Members and friends

of St Paul’s plan to make this booklet of the confession, originally written In 1530, as widely read as possible. Studies have been planned on a weekly basis until October 29. Although celebrations on a national level are in Auckland where the highest proportion of Lutherans live, special Reformation Day services have been planned for all centres on October 29.

In Christchurch, the service in St Paul’s Lutheran Church will feature reformation themes and will be led jointly by the Rev. G. D. Noller and the Rev. R. R. Reinfelds.

The Mayor of Christchurch (Sir George Manning) and Lady Manning will attend the service. Sir George Manning will address the congregation after the service. At the tend of the service a monograph on the life of Luther, titled “This . is Luther,” will be presented to the Canterbury University library. Parishes of other denominations throughout New Zealand will also hold services to mark the anniversary.