Octoberfest Just Around the Corner

Tell you what: I'm going to make it really easy for you to register for Octoberfest. Really easy. Just post a comment right here on this blog with your name, etc., and we'll do the rest. You can pay when you arrive. We just need to know who's coming.

It's $25 per person (students $15) $40 per couple--includes Sunday banquet and Monday continental and luncheon; no charge for children with parents. The Tuesday seminar alone is free (but a donation would be nice).

Seminarians, if you need a place to stay let me know, and we'll even try to find a place to put you up. If you have to miss a class or two, it's OK. I hereby give you permission. Just tell your prof (with a smile on your face and an apple in your hand). Tell him afterwards.

And, incidentally, in response to the recent hullabaloo about confession over at Fr Petersen's blog (click here to check it out), I've decided to schedule in an hour Monday morning between 8 and 9 for private confession.

Here's a repeat of all you need to know about Octoberfest:

Announcing the Twelfth Annual Octoberfest Seminar and Liturgical Conference at St. Paul’s Evangelical-Lutheran Church, Kewanee, Illinois, beginning Sunday, October 7th at 5 pm until midafternoon on Monday. The Conference theme is “In Remembrance of Me: Who's Doing the Remembering?” This year we are pleased to welcome as our guest the Reverend Chaplain Jonathan E. Shaw, S.T.M., a highly decorated Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army, having served in theaters and posts around the world; including Korea, Nicaragua, Iraq, Germany, and other places. He is currently stationed at the Chief of Chaplains’ office in Washington, D.C. He has also served as chairman of the Board for Congregational Services of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Chaplain Shaw has been an associate editor of Gottesdienst since its inception in 1992. His popular Sabre of Boldness column is featured in every issue.

Chaplain Shaw will examine the words of Institution, looking especially at the background of the Hebrew Scriptures and the concept of remembrance.

New this year: on the following day (Tuesday), a liturgical seminar is planned for anyone interested in participating in a roundtable discussion seeking uniformity in our worship practices. Informed Lutheran clergy are particularly invited to provide input and exchange of ideas.

For more information or to register for either or both events, log on at www.liturgyseminar.blogspot.com or send us a note in the enclosed envelope.

Schedule of events

Sunday, October 7

5 pm Autumn Choral vespers, anticipating the Festival of Harvest

6 pm Annual bratwurst banquet

Monday, October 8 (Octoberfest Seminar)

8:00-9:00 a.m. Private Confession available at the church, in the vestry.

9:00-9:30 a.m. Registration

9:30 a.m. Holy Mass: Festival of Harvest

11:00 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Seminar

Tuesday, October 9 (Liturgical Seminar)

9:00-9:30 a.m. Registration

9:30 a.m. Holy Mass

11:00 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Seminar