Celebrating 500 Years of Power to the People - Concert & Bratwurst/Franfurter & Bean Supper

On Sunday, October 29, historic Christ Church at 6 Dane Street in Kennebunk, Maine, will present a concert and bratwurst supper to celebrate the 500^th anniversary of Martin Luther’s historic act that set in motion the Protestant Reformation, by openly challenging the dominant hierarchy on Scripture interpretation, publicly posting his 95 Theses on October 31, 1517.  He was the first to translate the Bible from Latin into the vernacular language of his people so they could read and interpret it for themselves. 
 
These events had lasting effects, not just in religion, but in government, education, and Western culture.  It can be said that the Reformation made possible democracy and public education, as well as rising gender equality.  The Founding Fathers of America were nearly all Protestant, and clearly believed in the rights of the individual and public participation in government.  Public education was seen as foundational to an informed electorate, able to intelligently vote on common issues.  Luther’s close reading of the Bible led him to conclude that men and women were equally important to God, and that women were as entitled as men to determine their own destiny, a revolutionary concept then, and in some places, still.  He was a visionary, recognizing the worth and power of the common people.
 
In celebration of this turning point in Western culture, we will present a concert of composers contemporary with and inspired by Martin Luther’s work, including Mendelssohn, J S Bach, Telemann, Praetorius, Pachelbel, John and Charles Wesley, and Luther himself, and then we’ll share a delicious supper of bratwurst, hot dogs, potato salads, and coleslaw, in honor of Luther’s heritage.
 
As well as our own Maestro Warren King playing piano and pipe organ, and soprano Beverly Heald, performers include tenor Schuyler White, violinist Margaret Hopkins, and trumpeter Thomas Kremser, among others.
 
For more information, please visit our website www.christchurchkennebunk.org, or call or visit the office at 6 Dane Street Monday, Wednesday or Friday, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. 985-4494.