Reformation 500th Anniversary and ELCA Churchwide Assembly 2016

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Oct. 31, 2017, will mark the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther posting his 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany – an act that sparked the Lutheran Reformation. A little more than a year before the anniversary, on Aug. 10-13, 2016, we will be hosting the Grace Gathering in conjunction with the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in New Orleans. Please save these dates now and make plans to attend the Grace Gathering. This special event will give Grace Gathering attendees and Churchwide Assembly voting members an opportunity to come together in kicking off the 500th anniversary! There will be fruitful workshops and keynotes to inspire planning for local observances, time to worship and participate in experiential learning activities, as well as opportunities to gather with voting members of the ELCA throughout the Churchwide Assembly.  I also invite and encourage you to become involved even now in the ELCA’s observance of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation by visiting and bookmarking ELCA500.org, a growing hub of resources, events and news surrounding preparation for the observance. You also can follow current developments on Facebook at ELCA Reformation 500. Please look for more information on the Grace Gathering in the coming months! Early bird registration will open on Oct. 31, 2015. I look forward to seeing you in New Orleans in August 2016!  Grace and peace to you, The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America