Luther 500 Celebration latest event in yearlong Interfaith Series

Posted November 02, 2017 Print

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College, a leading liberal arts college in northwest Pennsylvania, is hosting the latest event, Luther 500, in its yearlong Interfaith Series on Nov. 8.

Thiel College, founded in 1866 as a Lutheran-based institution, is hosting events to explore spiritual diversity to coincide with the anniversary of the Reformation begun by Martin Luther in 1517.

Thiel College Professor of Religion and Faculty Chair Dan Eppley, Ph.D.; Rev. Brian Riddle ’07, Gannon University Associate Vice President, University Mission & Ministry Michael Kesicki and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and Seattle University Professor of Christian Ethics Cindy Moe-Lobeda, Ph.D., will be participating throughout the Luther 500 event.

Nov. 8 schedule of events:

Noon-1 p.m. “The Art of Bread Making” with Riddle, TC Cafe, Howard Miller Student Center
2-3:30 p.m. Joint presentation featuring Eppley and Kesicki, Lutheran Heritage Room, Howard Miller Student Center
4-5 p.m. Festival Chapel Service with special music by the Thiel Choir and a sermon led by Riddle, David Johnson Memorial Chapel
7-8:30 p.m. Keynote presentation from Moe-Lobeda, Lutheran Heritage Room, Howard Miller Student Center

The first event of the Interfaith Series was an appearance by Fardosa Hassan—the first Muslim chaplain in the 148-year history of Augsburg University—in late September. Hassan delivered a talk titled “An Introduction to Islam and Muslims in America.” Hassan also attended several classes, and met with Thiel College students, faculty and staff and participated in an interfaith dinner and conversation.

The College will host a continuing series of events examining and discussing religion throughout the 2017-2018 academic year. A second interfaith program is set for spring 2018, and Campus Pastor, Rev. Jayne Thompson will host youth events in preparation for Thiel College’s participation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America national youth gathering in Houston this summer.

An art exhibition in recognition of Luther 500, “Images of Luther: Celebrating the 500th Year Anniversary of the Reformation” opened Oct. 31 with a gallery talk and runs through Dec. 1 in the Weyers-Sampson Art Gallery.