What would I have done? That is the question that haunts people of faith who study the rise of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. St. Ansgar is hosting a weekend of events to promote the study and appreciation of Lutheran martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor whose faith led him to the resistance movement. After a failed attempt to assassinate Hitler, Bonhoeffer was imprisoned. He continued to write, and his letters from prison are among the most cherished of his works. Although Bonhoeffer was hanged in a concentration camp and did not live to see Liberation, his courage, theological convictions, and struggles speak to us today.
All events during Bonhoeffer Weekend are free and open to the public. Scroll down for details about Friday's movie night, Saturday's presentation and panel discussion, and Sunday's guest preacher. There is something for everyone's interest and schedule. Please join us!
"Bonhoeffer- Pastor-Pacificist-Nazi Resister," a documentary film by Martin Doblmeir, is a fantastic introduction to Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life and a brilliant, well reviewed film. It is available on popular streaming services, but you'll want some popcorn and people to discuss the film with afterwards. We have both.
St. Ansgar is honored to host Dr. Clifford Green, Executive Editor of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Complete Works and Professor Emeritus of Theology at Hartford Seminary. His presentation entitled, "Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Worldly Christianity: Beyond Evangelical Conservatism and Liberal Modernism," will bring Bonhoeffer's legacy into today. Even those new to Bonhoeffer will find inspiration in the questions Bonhoeffer asked and the sacrifices he made.
What would Bonhoeffer make of today's moral questions? Stay for lunch (RSVP for your meal at conference2012@saintansgar.org) and a lively panel discussion moderated by Dr. Janet V. Gunn, former chair of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Visiting Professor of English at Birzeit University in Ramallah. Other participants include Dr. Christopher Callaway, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at St. Joseph's College, Dr. Steven Lewis, Academic Dean and Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Bangor Theological Seminary, Michael Messerschmidt, Esq., Partner, Preti Flaherty Law Firm, son of Holocaust survivors, and The Rev. Jill Saxby, Executive Director of the Maine Council of Churches.
The afternoon will end with a reading of one of Bonhoeffer's most well-known works, the poem, "Who am I?" It will be read with accompaniment by James Fry, Music Director at St. Ansgar.
St. Ansgar is pleased to announce that Dr. Clifford Green will join our congregation as guest preacher for our regularly scheduled worship on Sun, 4/29, at 10AM. St. Ansgar members and friends, as well as attendees to Friday and Saturday's Bonhoeffer events, are warmly invited to share in the celebration of the Eucharist and in the coffee and conversation afterwards.
