Lutherfest: A Medieval-Renaissance Fair for Children

Lutherfest, a Medieval/Renaissance Fair for Children, will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017 on the grounds of Advent Lutheran Church, Route 202 in Rindge. The day features free, family activities including a costume contest for adults, children and dogs. Children can make a knight's helmet or a Fair Maiden hat, make stone jewelry or use a quill. Costumes will be judged at 1 p.m. by local theater professionals and prizes awarded. Free hot dogs and root beer are included, along with one free book to each child as long as supplies last. Lutherfest celebrates the 500th anniversary of an event that sparked the Protestant Reformation and changed the religious landscape of the western world. On Oct. 31, 1517, Martin Luther, a German scholar and monk, protested some of the practices of the only Christian church of his time by nailing 95 theses—or arguments—to the door of the town church. He meant his points to be items for discussion, but church authorities soon branded him a heretic. Luther objected most strongly to the prevailing practice of paying one’s way back into the good graces of God by giving money to church authorities in Rome. These payments were known as “indulgences.” Today, Advent Lutheran Church, founded only 34 years ago in Rindge, NH, considers itself an heir to Martin Luther’s legacy, and joins with its national synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, to celebrate Reformation 500. Contact event organizer Christine Sheldon, christinehalvorson@yahoo.com, with questions.