wfn.org | Worldwide Lutherans Commemorate Anniversary of Luther's Baptism in Eisleben

[<NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

Title: Worldwide Lutherans Commemorate Anniversary of Luther's Baptism in Eisleben
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

>November 7, 2008  

Worldwide Lutherans Commemorate Anniversary of Luther's Baptism in Eisleben
08-187-FI

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The congregations of Lutherstadt Eisleben
are celebrating the 525th anniversary of Martin Luther's Baptism
Nov. 11, 2008, with a worldwide "Baptism Festival."  Martin
Luther was born Nov. 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany.  As was the
custom, Hans and Margarethe Luther brought their son the next day
to be baptized at St. Peter Church.

Martin Luther went on to become a monk, theologian,
university professor, church reformer and "father" of the
Protestant Reformation.  He preached his last sermon at St. Peter
Church before he died Feb. 18, 1546, in Eisleben.  Luther's
followers and supporters formed what became the Lutheran church.

"We still baptize adults and children in the remains of the
same baptismal font in which the little baby Martin was held.  To
commemorate the 525th anniversary of Luther's Baptism, we would
like to have an even larger ceremony this year," said the
http://www.luther525.de Web site promoting the observance.

Visitors to the Web site are invited to register their
personal or congregation's commitment to celebrate Luther's
baptismal anniversary Nov. 9-16.  A goal is to have 525
congregations around the world participating in a "Liturgy of
Baptism and Baptismal Remembrance."  Another goal is to baptize
525 individuals as part of the global celebration.  The site
includes an invitation to mark the anniversary with a visit to
Eisleben.

On Nov. 6 the site added to its count 45 Baptisms at the
Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Mlandege, Tanzania.  That
brought totals to at least 270 Baptisms and 249 congregations
celebrating baptismal remembrances in 13 countries.

As many as 25 congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) -- from House of Prayer Lutheran Church,
Escondido, Calif., to St. Martin Lutheran Church, Albemarle, N.C.
-- registered plans to host remembrances.

The Rev. Claudia D. Bergmann and the Rev. Scott A. Moore are
married ELCA pastors serving St. Andreas-Nicolai-Petri in
Lutherstadt Eisleben and Saints Peter and Paul Church in
Volkstedt, Germany.  They are mission personnel of ELCA Global
Mission.

"A developed theology of Baptism is a central part of our
Lutheran heritage and this festival is a way to emphasize that
importance in our home congregations and worldwide," Moore said.

The intention is not to have a "mass Baptism," according to
the Web site.  Instruction will precede Baptisms in Eisleben.
"We believe Baptism is a crucial step in the life of every
Christian.  This is, however, one of the first of many, and the
support of a congregation at home is of vital importance."
-- -- --

Information about the 525th anniversary celebration in
English is at
http://www.luther525.de/lilac_cms/gb/,1754424596,cms,/index.html
on the Web.

For information contact:

John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog