The year is 2017. The little German town of Wittenberg has once again drawn the world’s attention, just as it did 500 years ago, when Martin Luther felt the need to take part personally in the work of renewing the church of his time. This year, in honour of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, events dedicated to commemorating the Reformation are being organised in various countries of the world. However, larger-scale celebrations are, of course, taking place in Germany — ever since the beginning of the year (the programme is here).
As part of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, on 12 August this year Wittenberg will celebrate the significance of the Reformation in strengthening women’s rights in the Lutheran faith, the significance of the Reformation for women in the 21st century, and the potential of the Reformation for the future.
On Saturday, 12 August, the women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central Germany region will gather in Wittenberg to celebrate FrauenFestTag , or Women’s Celebration Day.
The women of the Central Germany region invite women from all over Germany, as well as from other countries, to join this special celebration day dedicated to women in Wittenberg.
The motto of the event is authentically Lutheran: “HERE WE STAND!”
The motto is set out and explained in the following broader declarative statement:
WE STAND FOR the diversity, vitality and strength of women of all generations, which make our churches rich.
WE STAND UNITED for the ordination of women as a true fruit of the Reformation, and we proclaim powerful solidarity with those women who are denied ordination in their churches.
WE STAND UNITED for the rights of women throughout the world and for the right to freedom of religion.
The central event will be a photo session titled “Here We Stand 500+”, for which more than 500 ordained women from various countries of the world will gather. Women who are denied ordination in their own countries are also invited to take part in the photo session, so as to express the solidarity of the wider Christian community with women who have no opportunity in their own countries to fulfil the calling given to them by God.
The planned schedule of Women’s Celebration Day:
10.00 Opening ceremony. Working groups, exhibitions, guided excursions for women around the city.
Lecture: Gender and Anti-Gender: developments and perspectives (Ev. Academy).
12.00 Prayer in the city church
12.30 “HERE WE STAND”: group photo of 500 ordained women
13.30 Events in the city park: working groups, exhibitions, excursion
15.00 Women’s shared fellowship meal
17.30 Ecumenical women’s service with the participation of international guests
Women’s Celebration Day takes place within the week “Family, Life and Gender”. The event is sponsored by the Lutheran World Federation.
Those interested are invited to register on the website www.frauenarbeitekm.de/frauenfesttag or to contact the organisers by email at [email protected]
Aļesja Lavrinoviča