A major common commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation takes place on Wednesday, November 1 beginning at 5:30 PM at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City. This public display of Christian unity takes places the day after the 500th anniversary of the Reformation — a day historically marked by conflict and division.
The Rev. Dr. Robert Alan Rimbo, Bishop of the Metropolitan New York Synod will preside. The Most Rev. Donald Bolen, Archbishop of Regina (Canada) and Member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity will preside at a Thanksgiving for Baptism with Affirmation of Ecumenical Imperatives from the Lutheran World Federation and Vatican’s joint commemorative history of the Reformation: From Conflict to Communion. They will be joined by Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Episcopal, Methodist, Reformed, UCC, Moravian, Baptist, AME and AME-Zion church leaders.
The Synod commissioned an anthem for mass choir, schola and the Cathedral’s historic organ titled: COME AND SEE. The text, by poet Andrew Nurkin, takes up the spirit of Martin Luther’s own setting of Psalm 46. Recent Cambridge graduate Alex Woolf, already a noted composer, writes with a maturity and sensitivity beyond his years.
In addition to a mass choir music is offered by the Choir of the United Nations, a traditional Latin American ensemble, a jazz ensemble, and brass & timpani.
A festive reception follows in the Cathedral nave. Due to generous sponsorship, the event is free of charge and open to all.
The event has reached capacity at nearly 1,200 persons. A wait list is now available. The Synod will live broadcast the liturgy on Facebook.