Who is this dashing man to the left? Why, it’s Martin Luther! And even though it looks like he’s wearing a French beret, he was German. And it’s to this German that we can trace our Protestant roots.

On this day in history, back in 1517, Martin Luther posted a document on the doors of a church in Wittenburg. Back in the day, there was no email (I know, this will take some imagination), so nailing letters on church doors was not quite as revolutionary (or liable to property damage) as it would be today. It was simply a way to get a message out and start a discussion.

Well, Martin’s message was radical. He addressed the issue of indulgences, which is a fancy way of saying in order to get your sins forgiven, you pay the church money, fulfill your acts of penance, and the priest will reduce your time in purgatory.  Thanks to these indulgences, we now have beautiful buildings like St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. (I’ve been there and she’s a beaut. I name-drop when I can. It’s a terrible vice). But while our boy Marty talked about indulgences, what really got him into trouble and started this whole Reformation that we celebrate today was the issue of papal authority. In other words, who is the ultimate authority? Who gets to decide about the forgiveness of sins? The church, represented by the Pope (the Latin word is papal) or the Holy Scriptures?

Stay tuned for the rest of the story…..

These cookies were eaten by 2 of the small groups at the retreat. One lady said she thought they should cook a little longer. (What can I say, we like our cookies almost raw.) So if you like your cookies more well done, cook them a few more minutes.

Gingersnaps from Rinnie Hersman

1/2 cup margerine
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
2 cups flour

Cream margerine and sugars. Add egg and vanilla, and mix. Add spices and then flour. Mix cinnamon and sugar in a bowl. Shape cookies into balls, roll in cinnamon-sugar and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Since it’s Halloween week, we thought we’d give you some food for thought and conversation on the subject. About 6 years ago while in college, I participated in a point-counterpoint article concerning whether we ought to observe and celebrate Halloween. I argued a fellow member that we’re better off NOT celebrating it. Please don’t think I’m a stuffed shirt. Here’s my (slightly revised) article.

First off, PLEASE do not think I’m saying to celebrate Halloween is a sin, or that I’m looking down my nose at those who do celebrate it. I am truly not. There’s really nothing morally wrong about dressing up and asking for candy from neighbors, right? Moreover, the Bible says we are free to celebrate holidays as our consciences lead (Rm. 14, Col. 2:16-19). However, all things that are not wrong are not necessarily good or beneficial, we read in 1 Cor. 10:23. The question we as set-apart people are called to ask when seeking to lead thoughtful, deliberate lives to the glory of God is always “Why do we do the things we do?” and I’d like to apply that to the issue of celebrating.

Many holidays are rich in meaning, e.g., Passover (why don’t we really do anything for that?), Resurrection Day (you know, Easter!), the birth of our Savior, Independence Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, our birthdays. These holidays give us an opportunity to remember who we are, where we came from, and why we are here today. They connect us to and remind us of our families - both natural and spiritual - who celebrated these same holidays in generations past. They give us an opportunity to gather with those we love and reflect on God’s goodness and faithfulness throughout time. It is good and right that we should remember His mercies and glorify His name in special ways on special days.

Holidays are meaningful because they are days of remembrance. In all the special days listed above, celebrators are remembering what God did and thanking Him for that and all He is doing in their life, family, and country now. To celebrate Halloween apart from its origins - which is how we must celebrate it, given its superstitious heritage - makes it meaningless. And why would we do something meaningless when we can participate in something meaningful and show the world we really are different?

As Christians, we have much to celebrate. October 31, in fact, is an appropriate day to celebrate. It is the day when, in 1517, Martin Luther was used by God to bring about the greatest reform and revival in history by exposing the corruption of the Church. It has shaken the world’s foundation to the core and changed Western civilization for the better. We would not be here without it. This is certainly a reason for celebration, and even (gasp!) fun! The never-ending faithfulness and goodness of our Sovereign God to His people throughout history is not to be forgotten.

So, I’m suggesting some reform–a reform in our deep-seated way of thinking about why we do the things we do, and a reform of October 31. Many Christians already observe Reformation Day (for example, see the Reformation Celebration at our erstwhile pastor’s new church). There can be cookouts and bonfires, hayrides and songs. The good elements of a Halloween celebration - community, family, fun with the kids - are present (heck, they can dress up and eat candy – why not?), but are yet stronger and born of purer motive in light of a purpose that ties us together. Churches gather to talk about the past, present and the future - and God’s steadfast love throughout it all. In celebrating Reformation Day, we are encouraged to learn about the history of the Church, thereby combating our general ignorance of it. We’re encouraged to remember the place from which our forefathers in the faith have come, and to witness God’s hand moving in time and space. It teaches the kids that they are part of something bigger than the neighborhood and more secure than even their own family.

This idea of replacing Halloween observance with Reformation Day observance is not new to the Church, you know. We celebrate both the birth and the resurrection of Christ on days that were originally pagan festivals. Reformation Day actually did occur on October 31! All the more reason to celebrate it then!

We as Christians are a holy people, a set-apart people. We are different from the world and should not conform to its likeness (Rm. 12:2). We are here to point to the Lord in both word and deed. Instead of bowing to cultural tradition, let’s be different and celebrate a day that’s truly meaningful to our spiritual family.

Back to the present. So, who’s wants to celebrate Reformation Day with me? It might be too late for this year, but I think a church-wide party is in order!

Anna Limber and Hana Ryman have joined our Craving Grace team! We are already so thankful for their contributions. Some of you may know them already. If you don’t, go to the “Who We Are” page to learn a little about them.

We have also added 2 new blogs to by UPC women. Jill Howell has a second blog and Andrea DiBartlomeo has just started blogging. Check them out by going to the “Where We Blog” page.

DON’T FORGET…if you are a blogger let us know so we can put up your blog information!

Patricia posted this on her blog and, please, who can pass up a Disney Princess quiz?? I worked at the Magic Kingdom for three years and have celebrated every single birthday at Disney for as long as I can remember. When I turned 18, Andrea bought me a stuffed Winnie the Pooh and I loved it. Is this too much information????

Which Disney Princess are You?