Michigan—Oct. 31 is a significant day, but not because of Halloween!
Joni Rogers, a Cedar Lake Church member, was tired of being bombarded with trick-or-treaters every Oct. 31. She and her husband Steve took their daughter, Josi, to the nursing home dressed as an angel in an effort to teach her to think of others, instead of ghosts and goblins, and lots of candy. When Josi got a little older, Steve and Joni read to her about Martin Luther and showed her videos about him and the Protestant Reformation. But it seemed way over her head.
Glancing through World magazine one day, Joni came upon a curriculum for A Night of Reformation. Something stirred within her as she read. Was this what God was leading them to? As she looked into it further and prayed, God seemed to be saying, "Go for it!" The idea was to provide a positive activity for young people on a night when so many celebrate a non-Christian holiday. As Family Ministries leader at the Cedar Lake Church, Joni approached her pastor, Mickey Mallory, with the idea to make our Protestant heritage come alive and provide a positive alternative to Halloween. Mallory was enthusiastic, and after presenting it to the church board he gave them the "green light."
But by then it was already August, so the Rogers began to plan in earnest! Scouring every second-hand store and garage sale for period costumes and props, they also wrote their own script around the program they had purchased. Hours of research were invested.
But this was for the kids! So, Joni asked the Cedar Lake Elementary School to get involved. They responded enthusiastically, and created art projects to display, wrote stories about Martin Luther, and enjoyed reading a special book Joni loaned on Martin Luther's life. Church members were also invited to get involved. During an announcement for volunteers, Joni asked the children to raise their hand if they were Protestant. Very few raised their hands. When Joni asked the "Something Else" Sabbath school class to participate, they were happy to join, and someone said, "There's a group of us who still like to play dress-up!"
It was decided that the elementary school gymnasium was the location. After much work and preparation, Oct. 31 finally arrived. With more than 40 volunteers, the gym was transformed into a dimly-lit version of the 1500s, and adults and children began to experience what life in Martin Luther's time may have been like. Visitors were handed a brochure, explaining the ten stops, and each group had a youth tour guide. The stops included stations depicting the lightning bolt that struck Luther at age 19, a bishop's table, the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, the Elster Gate, the Diet of Worms, the Kidnapping, Luther Translates the New Testament, Luther Returns to Wittenberg, the Monk Marries a Nun, and the Protest of the Princes.*
Interwoven into the fabric of the night was live music by local musicians, ranging from harp, hammered dulcimer, mandolin and recorders, to a saw played with a violin bow. A town crier roamed the gym heralding different messages, such as "You left your carriage lights on," or "Someone's pig is loose!" "Tetsel" roamed around trying to sell "indulgences" to the visitors. The room was filled with monks, nuns and cardinals who wanted to dress like the time period. This all added to the feeling of going back in time.
On the back of the brochure was a quiz to test the visitors' knowledge after their journey. In a separate room, visitors could watch the video, "Where Martin Luther Walked," view craft projects made by the Cedar Lake Elementary students, or learn more at another table about Martin Luther's life. At 7:30 p.m., everyone came together and sang "A Mighty Fortress Is our God," which was written by Martin Luther. This was a fitting end to the evening.
That was all last year. On Oct. 31, 2007, A Night of Reformation came alive a second time. This year it was opened to the community with advertisements on the radio, posters in area businesses, and by personal invitations. Again, a huge crowd turned out and was blessed.
So what's the impact of the evening? "I think it was a marvelous, educational alternative to Halloween. The kids not only got treats, but are learning something important along the way in a safe environment," said Bob Jensen who played the part of the cardinal.
"It helps our children to know their Christian roots," stated Cindy Peterson, Bible teacher at Great Lakes Adventist Academy.
"This was great! I didn't know Martin Luther got struck by lightning!" said Donovan Smith, a sixth grader at Cedar Lake Elementary.
"Halloween has changed since I was a kid," said Rodney Allen, a sophomore at Great Lakes Adventist Academy who was a tour guide. "Kids can stay in a safe environment and not go out and knock on scary people's doors."
Joni and Steve have seen God's hand in this endeavor. "It was such a blessing to do God's will," said Joni. "I felt called by God to do this—to see that learning history through experience is so beneficial for both kids and adults. I learned so much about Martin Luther and the Reformation, and it really took me to The Great Controversy to read how much Ellen White had to say about the Reformation and how we need to see a reformation in our hearts."
Joni's favorite quote throughout this was, "We dare not tamper with God's word, dividing His holy law; calling one portion essential and another nonessential, to gain the favor of the world. The Lord whom we serve is able to deliver us. Christ has conquered the powers of the earth; and shall we be afraid of a world already conquered?" (The Great Controversy, p. 610)
Yes, Oct. 31 is a significant day—it's the day Martin Luther nailed the "95 Theses" to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. If you're interested in providing a positive alternative for the young Protestants in your church or community, e-mail Steve and Joni at lrbgeh@yahoo.com. See what God can do through you!
Arlene Leavitt, Cedar Lake Church communication leader
*Station descriptions are available online at www.lakeunionherald.org
A Night of Reformation Stations
Stop 1: The Thunderstorm
Visitors first entered a large structure covered with tarp which was decorated inside with tree branches and leaves to depict walking through a forest. A strobe light flashed, giving visitors the feeling Luther had when at age 19 he was walking home to visit his parents during a thunderstorm and a lightning bolt struck him, throwing him to the ground. "St. Anne," he cried, "Help me! I will become a monk!" Two weeks later he entered the monastery, ready to give the rest of his life to God and the church.
Stop 2: The Sancta Sanctorum
Passing by the bishop's table where the Cardinal urged them to buy indulgences, visitors were encouraged to climb the stairs to the balcony, gathering letters as they went. At the top, they put them together, making the words, "The Just Shall Live By Faith!"
Stop 3: The Door of the Wittenberg Castle Church
Martin Luther (Steve Rogers) waited at this stop. Guests played "Pin the '95 Theses' on the door," while being blindfolded, symbolic of the darkness of the day. When Tetsel came to town selling indulgences, Luther's tolerance of the Church's vice reached its limit.
Stop 4: The Elster Gate
Naturally the Pope did not appreciate Luther's challenge and gave him 60 days to recant! When the 60 days has passed, Luther publicly burned the Pope's bull. A small "campfire" was at this stop where visitors could try and throw the Pope's bull (paper rolled into a roll) into the "fire."
Stop 5: The Diet of Worms
Visitors were given the challenge of knocking down the "books" that contained the church's writings, but leaving Luther's standing at this stop. It was at the Diet of Worms that Luther made the famous statement: "I cannot, and I will not retract . . . "
Stop 6: The Kidnapping
This stop was a favorite among the younger guests. An inflatable "castle" (jumphouse) was set up in the corner of the gym where kids could go in and jump. It represented the castle to which Luther's friends took him to hide him.
Stop 7: Luther Translates the New Testament
A table with a special craft was at this stop for children to help "translate" scripture.
Stop 8: Luther Returns to Wittenberg
Luther was received with great joy on his return to Wittenberg. He encouraged people to help reform the church. Children could make small plastic stained glass windows at this stop, representing the windows that replaced the ones rioters broke in the churches.
Stop 9: The Monk Marries a Nun
Martin Luther married Catherine, a nun who escaped from the nunnery by hiding in empty fish barrels on a delivery wagon. Visitors could try and throw balls into "fish buckets" at this stop.
Stop 10: The Protest of the Princes
The stern question, "Do you own a Bible?" was asked each person who came to Stop 10. If the answer was yes, they were briefly placed in the stockades.
