The Association of Lutheran Older Adults and The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia present a five-day exploration of the influential life of English colonizer William Penn, exploring the impact of his ideas in his own day and the legacy left for us. What role did his faith play in the formation of his ideas? What can we learn from Penn's perspective? And what religious freedom challenges do we face today?

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Quaker statesman William Penn cast a long and historic shadow over the development of colonial Philadelphia in the late 17th century, and espoused formative ideas about liberty of conscience and religious freedom that he put into practice as an English colonizer. This year's Lutherhostel will examine his life and times and his pioneering approach to partnering with colonists of differing religious persuasions and with the native Indian tribes of his day -- the Lenni Lenape and Shawnee. We'll consider lessons from his legacy that offer a perspective for today. What are our current religious freedom challenges? And how might Penn's approaches guide us in today's global and local climate as we strive to be people of faith the way Penn tried to live? In addition to the highlights listed within this brochure, the program will feature a "Dining with William Penn" segment on Wednesday afternoon, and a special focus on the German immigrants of Penn's day. We'll also visit Pennsbury Manor, Penn's distinctive estate on the shores of the Delaware River.

The event is hosted by The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia...and you're invited!

Presenters

Our special Quaker presenter on William Penn is NANCY V. WEBSTER, Curator/Historian of the national Friends Historical Association and Honorary Curator at Swarthmore College. She regularly teaches about Quaker history and culture in area schools and colleges and Elderhostels. Nancy was a freedom rider during the civil rights movement of the early 1960s in Alabama. She holds a BA, magna cum laude, from Harvard University and double MAs in American History and museum curatorship from the College of William and Mary. For 38 years Nancy has worked with various Indian nations on land and resource protection.
DR. JON PAHL teaches the History of Religion in North America at LTSP. He is the author of many books and articles. He was awarded his PhD in 1990 from the University of Chicago Divinity School, where he studied under the mentorship of noted theologian Dr. Martin Marty. His thesis for that degree became a book entitled Paradox Lost: Free Will and Political Liberty in American Culture, 1630- 1760. Dr. Pahl will use his academic experience to give us an overview at the start of the week on our theme. Later on, he’ll address two sessions on the topic of Religious Freedom Today.
Our bible study leader for Lutherhostel will be THE REV. DR. ROBIN D. MATTISON, associate professor of New Testament and Greek at LTSP. Dr. Mattison entered seminary at a time when women were not being ordained in many denominations. Such timing has shaped her teaching and research interests. She cares deeply that women students and students of color are prepared by the New Testament’s own examples to face the specific challenges of their ministry: from uncertain reception to unbounded expectations.
Focusing on the stance of the confessional state churches of Penn's time and how they understood "toleration" will be DR. A. GREGG ROEBER, professor of Early Modern History and Religious Studies at Penn State University. He'll also address the various meanings attributed to the term "liberty of conscience." Is that what the founding fathers had in mind when they considered "religious liberty?" If so, why did they reject the wording when James Madison proposed it?
A fascinating photo research perspective on the faith communities of Germantown Avenue will be offered by THE REV. DR. KATIE DAY, the Charles A. Schieren Professor of Church and Society at the seminary. Her "tour" takes note of historic "mother" congregations among the 80 or so faith communities along the avenue. Dr. Day has been teaching at LTSP since 1985.
Our "Living History" performance of William Penn's educational perspective will be given by WILLIAM C. KASHATUS, who holds a doctorate in History of Education from the University of Pennsylvania. His performance, based on research, is one he has offered for many years for the National Park Service. He's served as a teacher in several independent schools in Philadelphia, and has served as director of Educational and Public Programs for the Chester County Historical Society. His living history goal is to create a memorable impression of Penn's personality and the colonizer's educational views.
Offering a focus on the Lutheran understanding of religious freedom and responsibility will be THE REV. BRUCE DAVIDSON. Bruce, an LTSP alumnus, directs the Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry in New Jersey. In the fall of 2007, he gave a memorable interpretation of the responsibilities that come with the religious freedoms in our land. He’ll also touch on how “advocacy” works in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Our organist for the week will be MARK MUMMERT, LTSP’s Seminary Musician. Mark has served the seminary for 18 years and is one of the composers of a setting in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the ELCA’s new worship resource.
Our Chaplain and worship leader for 2008 will be THE REV. BRUCE TODD, pastor of historic St. Peter's Lutheran Church in nearby Lafayette Hill, PA. A talented musician with a degree in organ performance, Bruce began serving as a church organist at the age of 15!

Your hosts for the week will be The Rev. Ellen Anderson and Mark A. Staples. Pastor Anderson serves as Director of Alumni/ae and Church Relations for the LTSP Office of Development. Mark directs The Faith and Life Institute, a growing seminary initiative focusing on life-long learning for adults.

Cost: $430 including on-campus housing; $330 for commuters. Room assignments will be made May 19; registration after that date will be on a space-available basis.

This program has been supported in part by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, the Federal-State Partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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