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In 2017 Christians in Holland, Michigan and around the world commemorated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. This website was prepared to assist with this commemoration.
October 31, 1517 is regarded as the starting point of the Reformation, because on that date Martin Luther nailed on the door of All Saints’ Church at Wittenberg 95 theses protesting the sale of indulgences and other perceived abuses of doctrine and practice. Motivated by similar concerns, Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin led reforms in Zurich and Geneva, respectively. Soon the Reformation spread throughout Western Europe and beyond, radically altering the ecclesial landscape and the social fabric wherever it took root. In Holland, Michigan an ad hoc committee representing several area faith communities was formed to plan observances commemorating this momentous event in the history of the church. The culture of our city has been profoundly influenced by the rich heritage of the Reformation, and we wanted to seize the occasion to acknowledge this heritage in various ways. Our events were intended not only for the members of the churches that trace their descent from the Reformation, but also for the whole community, providing an opportunity to both look back at how our past has shaped us and to look around at who we are today, in a world very different from the one in which the Reformation originated. This in turn will help us to determine how we in all our churches can move forward together. Outward-looking, forward-looking, and ecumenical—this characterized the thrust of our commemoration of the Reformation. |
Refo 500 Supporting Congregations and Institutions
Calvary Christian Reformed Church Christ Memorial Church Fellowship Reformed Church First Reformed Church (Holland) Fourteenth Street CRC Holland Deacons' Conference Hope Church (Holland) Hope College Maranatha Christian Reformed Church Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church Religion Department, Hope College St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church Second Reformed Church Zeeland South Olive Christian Reformed Church Third Reformed Church (Holland) Western Theological Seminary Zion Lutheran Church (Holland) Refo 500 Planning-committee membership
Planning-committee members were from the Christian Reformed, Reformed Church, Lutheran, and Catholic traditions. Area congregations represented by members include the following.
Christ Memorial Church Fourteenth Street Christian Reformed Church Pillar Church Good Shepherd Lutheran Church St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church |
