Reformation Party

It is one week and counting to the 6th annual Reformation Party at our church, Clifton Baptist. This is my first year to participate, however, and I am enjoying it immensely and learning a lot as well. I love this idea of celebrating the Reformation for several reasons, but chief among them is that having such an event on October 31st (which is the day in 1517 that Luther nailed up his 95 theses, for those of you who are not history buffs) is far better than a church celebrating "Harvest" or Halloween. Of course I love harvest and I even love Halloween (the candy and costume parts, not so much the horror-movieness), but Reformation Day is an actual historical event that we can learn from and celebrate what God did for His church.

How do you have a Reformation party? Here's what we're doing at Clifton.

First, choose a Reformer to focus on. In the past, they've done Luther and Calvin, and this year we're doing Martin Bucer, who is a lesser-known reformer. The night of the event, everyone dresses up in costumes such as monks, medieval maidens, knights, etc., and booths are set up with different activities that pertain to the main reformer. Bucer was a traveler, for instance, so we have a map room where the kids find certain locations on a map. He also helped Calvin find his wife, so there is a ring toss where you try to toss a ring around the doll wearing the wedding dress. Fun, right? And educational! At each of the booths, the kids can earn a stamp on their "passport", which you are trying to complete. In addition to that, we have a jail, where persons who are spreading "heresy" can be thrown, a "jousting" match using pillows, the Reformation University where children show projects they have created at home as well as tons of CANDY! One of the best parts, I'm told, is when everyone sings the "Reformation Polka". I cracked up laughing when my friend Annie (the Reformation Super-fan) sent them to me. Here they are:

(Sung to the tune of "Supercalfragilisticexpialidocious")
(This song is very much tongue in cheek, my dear catholic friends.)

When I was just ein junger Mann I studied canon law;
While Erfurt was a challenge, it was just to please my Pa.
Then came the storm, the lightning struck, I called upon Saint Anne,
I shaved my head, I took my vows, an Augustinian! Oh...

Chorus

They loved my tracts, adored my wit, all were exempleror;
The Pope, however, hauled me up before the Emperor.
"Are these your books? Do you recant?" King Charles did demand,
"I will not change my Diet, Sir, God help me here I stand!" Oh...

Chorus

Duke Frederick took the Wise approach, responding to my words,
By knighting "George" as hostage in the Kingdom of the Birds.
Use Brother Martin's model if the languages you seek,
Stay locked inside a castle with your Hebrew and your Greek! Oh...

Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation -
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!

I'll try to post some pictures after the event is over! Let me know if you've done an event like this . . .