LUTHERHOSTEL PRESENTS

JUNE 16-20, 2003 PHILADELPHIA, PA

Christians relate to society and the world around them in a host of ways. What foundation for this social action have we inherited from Martin Luther and the Reformation? How did our forebears in faith adjust to the new world of America? What about the partnership of church and state, advocacy, faith-based initiatives and the heritage of Lutheran social action through some 250 certified social ministry organizations and other institutions and organizations such as Lutheran World Relief?

WHAT IS LUTHERHOSTEL? A five-day residential learning experience for older adults, Lutherhostel is a program of the Association of Lutheran Older Adults (ALOA), an independent, national association of Lutherans nearing or past the age of 50. ALOA’s purpose is to "share the gifts of our years in the Church and God’s world." For further information on ALOA, contact the national office. ALOA Valparaiso University Valparaiso, IN 46383 Phone: 1-800-930-ALOA.

WHO CAN ATTEND? Lutherhostel is for any older adult who shares ALOA’s philosophy and wishes to continue his or her spiritual growth and understanding. No previous knowledge or study is necessary. No tests or exams are given.

ABOUT YOUR HOST... The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP), founded in 1864, is one of eight seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Its lovely, 14-acre campus is located in the historic Mt. Airy section of Northwest Philadelphia. The new Wiedemann Center will be home to Lutherhostel guests. The Seminary has enjoyed considerable growth in the past decade.

THE PROGRAM

Dr. Timothy J. Wengert, an internationally regarded scholar of the Reformation and the Lutheran Confessions at the seminary, will trace the historic and theological implications arising out of the Reformation on the concern for one’s neighbor. Wengert, one of the editors of the latest edition of The Book of Concord, which contains the Lutheran Confessions, is the seminary’s Ministerium of Pennsylvania Professor of Reformation History and the Confessions.

Dr. H. George Anderson, immediate past Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will provide an overview of the Church’s approaches to social action and justice on many levels. His topic will be "Alms and Advocacy, Lutheran Ministry with the Poor." Dr. Anderson is a visiting scholar on the LTSP campus during the spring semester of 2003.

Presenter William Erat is a Lutheran pastor and executive director of Lutheran Children and Family Service, a certified ELCA social ministry organization in Philadelphia. LCFS undertakes scores of initiatives such as adoption, foster care, teaching English as a second language and operating a Center for Victims of Torture, a program that cares for immigrants who have suffered physical and emotional duress in other places. Erat also directs regional Lutheran Disaster Response efforts.

Susan Pursch directs church and community programs for Liberty Lutheran Services, a new parent organization for social ministry efforts of LCFS and Artman Home for older persons. In the past, Pursch has been involved in church youth initiatives and has served as an executive for Trevor’s Campaign for the Homeless in Philadelphia. This year she helped to manage a Lutheran Ingathering which delivered a wide variety of donated goods to disadvantaged persons of all ages both in the region and for Lutheran World Relief. She’ll deal with some of the many ways the modern church seeks to fulfill its traditional concern for social action by serving communities around it.

The Rev. Donna L. Jones is pastor of Cookman United Methodist Church in North Philadelphia and is a recent graduate of the seminary’s Urban Theological Institute. Her congregation is undertaking several initiatives involving Philadelphia youth, including ministering to youngsters who have been truants and school dropouts. She directs programs offering job skills training, remedial education and home schooling for young adults. Cookman is one of eight United Methodist churches in North Philadelphia to have received a $900,000 faith-based initiative grant from the federal government. She’ll host a brief tour at Cookman Church.

The Rev. Margay Whitlock, pastor of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rahway, NJ, and chaplain for this Lutherhostel event, has always had a passion for social justice. Pastor Whitlock is chaplain for Rahway Hospital Hospice and a member of the New Jersey Synod’s Division for Church and Society and a synodical representative to Partners for Environmental Quality. She has 25 years of professional theater experience and a lively interest in sailing. She received her M.Div. from the seminary in 1995 and also holds MAR and STM degrees from the LTSP. She will lead worship during the week.

The Rev. John H. P. Reumann, moderator for the week, is the Ministerium of Pennsylvania Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Greek at LTSP. He remains active in teaching, writing and Catholic dialogue and as "anchor man" for our Lutherhostel.

The organist for Lutherhostel this year will be Barbara Hartenbauer, who serves at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Glenside, PA.

A Lutherhostel feature in 2003 will be a visit to The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. The Foundation houses one of the world’s finest collections of French early Modern and Post-impressionist paintings. The collection boasts masterpieces by Renoir, Cezanne and Matisse at a level unavailable elsewhere. The collection from around the world is grouped with fine examples of antique furniture, ceramics, hand-wrought iron and Native American jewelry. The Foundation was established in 1922 by Dr. Albert Coombs Barnes to "promote the advancement of education and the appreciation of the fine arts."

DIRECTIONS. Philadelphia’s International Airport and Amtrak’s 30th Street Station are an easy train ride or shuttle or taxi ride away. The Seminary is a few minutes by car from the Pennsylvania Turnpike and from Interstate 95. We’ll be happy to send you travel information when you register. [link to map and driving directions]

FEES. The cost for the entire program is $395 per person. (Included are the entire program and meals and accommodations.) The cost for commuter reservations is $295 per person. (Included are the entire program and meals, but no overnight accommodations.)

HOW TO REGISTER. Complete and print out the registration form and mail it with your check to the Registrar: Mrs. Martha Reumann 8105 Winston Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Room assignments will be made May 21, 2003. Registrations will be accepted thereafter as space is available. [registration form]

QUESTIONS? Call Martha Reumann at 215/242-1418 or e-mail her at jreumann@aol.com. Information is also available from the event coordinator, Pastor John Kinzel. E-mail him at Dorjonkin@aol.com.