Martin Luther: Witness of the Gospel. May 30 June 8, 2016

Transcription

1 Martin Luther: Witness of the Gospel May 30 June 8, 2016 A travel seminar commemorating the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation Kurt K. Hendel, lecturer Martin Luther has been widely recognized as one of the most influential personalities in the history of the church, as a theologian whose significance transcends his own time and place, and as a powerful witness of the gospel. His creative theological utterances and faithful confession are evident in his prodigious body of writings. The brilliance and boldness of his thought and the power of his personality are enhanced, however, as one visits the contexts in which he lived and worked. Both his life and ministry become more tangible and meaningful. This travel seminar will enable you to visit various sites where Luther walked. You will also be invited to examine some of his writings in preparation for your travels. While Luther and his work will be the primary focus of this journey, you will also meet other personalities whom the Reformer impacted, either directly or indirectly. Among them are his wife, Katherine von Bora; his colleagues, Philipp Melanchthon and Johannes Bugenhagen; and the gifted composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Sites that have particular social, political, intellectual, or artistic significance will be part of the travel seminar itinerary as well. You are invited to be part of this adventure. May God bless our travels, Kurt K. Hendel For further information, please contact Kurt K. Hendel (khendel@lstc.edu; )

2 Martin Luther: Witness of the Gospel Berlin Wittenberg Torgau Halle Leipzig Eisleben Erfurt Buchenwald Eisenach Wartburg Castle Day 1, Monday, May 30, 2016: Depart the US Seminar participants travel overnight to Berlin. Day 2, Tuesday, May 31, 2016: Berlin Welcome to Berlin. After meeting our tour manager and bus at the airport, we will enjoy an orientation drive through Berlin, check in at the Park Inn by Radisson Berlin, and have time to relax before we gather for our welcome dinner. D Day 3, Wednesday, June 1, 2016: Berlin This morning we have a guided city tour of Berlin. The tour includes a stop at the Brandenburg Gate, the 1905 neo-baroque Berlin Cathedral, the Holocaust Memorial, and former Checkpoint Charlie. We also visit the museum at Bernauer Strasse to see a remaining part of the Wall. The tour concludes at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church which was bombed during World War II, leaving only the west tower standing. In the afternoon we drive to Wittenberg. We will be able to enjoy some free time in the Lutherstadt and then check in at the Stadtpalais Hotel Wittenberg for dinner and overnight. BD Day 4, Thursday, June 2, 2016: Wittenberg In the morning our guide takes us on a city walking tour and we explore the city where Martin Luther once lived and taught. On our tour we visit places which were important in his life, like St. Mary s Church, the market square, the town hall, and the Castle Church, where Luther may have posted his 95 Theses. In the afternoon we visit the newly-reopened Melanchthon house museum, and the Luther house museum. In 1883, the Prussian Crown Prince established the Lutherhaus as a museum which houses more than 10,000 prints, 6,000 manuscripts, 2,000 coins and medals, and 14,000 illustrations. We explore the three-story museum which displays only a fraction of its Reformation collection, the world s largest. The Reformer s living room, known as the Lutherstube, is especially well preserved. Dinner at the hotel and overnight. BD

3 Day 5, Friday, June 3, 2016: Torgau/Halle This morning we leave Wittenberg and follow the Elbe River upwards to Torgau. In 1544, Martin Luther consecrated the Castle Church at Schloss Hartenfels as the prototypical Protestant chapel. We will visit this perfectly preserved Renaissance castle and its beautiful Oriel chapel and explore the cantilevered spiral staircase. After some time for lunch on your own, we continue to Halle, where we will have a guided tour of the Francke Foundation and see Luther s Death mask at the Market Church. In the late afternoon we continue to our hotel for check in, dinner, and overnight. BD Day 6, Saturday, June 4, 2016: Leipzig We travel to Leipzig. In May 1989, the people of Leipzig first organized the demonstrations that brought hundreds of thousands into the streets for the Peaceful Revolution. We will visit their rendezvous point at the Gothic St. Nicholas Church, built in Afterwards there is time for lunch on your own (we suggest you go for lunch to the historic Auerbachs Keller where, in a scene made famous in Johann Wolfgang Goethe s Faust, Faust and Mephistopheles drank with the local students before flying away on a barrel). In the afternoon we will enjoy the Motet presented by the famous St. Thomas Boys Choir at the 14 th Century St. Thomas Church where Luther preached and where Bach served as cantor and choirmaster for 25 years. Later on, we meet for a presentation on the Peaceful Revolution by a pastor who served in Leipzig in In the evening we check in at The Westin Hotel for dinner and overnight. BD Day 7, Sunday, June 5, 2016: Eisleben Today we join the St. Thomas congregation for worship and then travel to Eisleben. After lunch, on our own, we have a guided tour. His birth home is typical of the Middle Ages. An exhibition interprets the spiritual environment of Luther s childhood. We can further understand the foundation of Luther s faith when we visit the Church of St. Peter and Paul, where Luther was baptized. The late medieval residence where Luther died is preserved nearby. Our tour includes a stop at St. Andrews, where Luther gave his last four sermons. We continue to Erfurt and check in at the Radisson BLU Hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant. BD

4 Day 8, Monday, June 6, 2016: Erfurt/Buchenwald This morning we gather for our city tour of Erfurt and follow again the footsteps of Martin Luther. We will see the University district, where Luther studied, and visit St. Mary s Cathedral, where he was ordained. A tour of the Augustinian Monastery, where Luther took his monastic vows and lived as a monk, will follow. After some free time for lunch we travel to Buchenwald. Between 1937 and 1945, a quarter million people were imprisoned at Buchenwald concentration camp. All of them suffered and 50,000 of them died. Among the prisoners were Lutheran pastors Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Paul Schneider, outspoken opponents of National Socialism. In the late afternoon we return to Erfurt and enjoy a free evening with no group dinner tonight. B Day 9, Tuesday, June 7, 2016: Eisenach Today we leave Erfurt for Eisenach, where we will visit the Bach House Museum and hear a mini-concert on period instruments. After some free time for lunch, we will tour the Wartburg Castle, where Luther disguised himself as a squire named Junker Jörg and hid away for ten months because he had been declared an outlaw by the Edict of Worms. Here Luther completed one of his most important works the translation of the New Testament into German. On our private guided tour of the castle, we will also see the room where Luther lived and worked on his translation. Afterwards, we leave Lutherland and head toward the Frankfurt area and check in at Maritim Hotel Rhein Main in Darmstadt for our last night and farewell dinner. BD Day 10, Wednesday, June 8, 2016: Good Bye All too soon we have to say good bye to Germany. We will be transferred to Frankfurt Airport for our homebound flights. B Note: minor changes to the program are possible.

5 GENERAL INFORMATION Rates: The rate for the land arrangement is based on a minimum of 30 participants, double occupancy, and does not include airfare. Per Person: US $ 1, Single room supplement: US $ Accommodation: Berlin 1 night Park Inn by Radisson Alexanderplatz Lutherstadt Wittenberg 2 nights Luther Hotel Halle 1 night Mercure or similar Leipzig 1 night Westin Erfurt 2 nights Radisson BLU Hotel Darmstadt 1 night Maritim Rhein-Main Included: - Thoroughly experienced multilingual tour director from Berlin Airport to Frankfurt Airport. - Transportation in a 4- star European-styled motor coach with climate control, reclining seats, restroom, sink, refrigerator, and coffee machine. Maximum 44 seats. - Accommodations in 4-star German hotels, double occupancy. - Taxes, parking, and road fees. - Baggage handling for one piece of luggage per person. - Visits and guided tours in Berlin, Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Torgau, Leipzig, Eisleben, Buchenwald and Erfurt. - Entrance fee in Wittenberg to the Town Church, the Castle Church, the Luther house and the Melanchthon house museums. - Entrance fee to Hartenfels Chapel and St. Mary s in Torgau. - Entrance fee to Market Church in Halle. - Entrance fee and guided tour at Francke Foundations. - Admission to the Motet in Leipzig. - Presentation on Peaceful Revolution in Leipzig. - Entrance fee to the Birth and Death house museums and both churches in Eisleben. - Entrance fee to the Bach House in Eisenach. - Entrance fee and guided tour of Wartburg castle. - Sightseeing and excursions as cited in the program meals: 8 buffet breakfasts and 7 dinners (beverages are not included) - All necessary tips such as bellman, maid, doormen, and dining room tips for meals specified in the itinerary are included. - Information folder for all participants including town and country brochures, information on Germany and a detailed timed itinerary upon arrival in Berlin. Not included: Airfare, expenses for passports, visas, beverages, bar bills, telephone calls, laundry or items of a personal nature, baggage or other insurance, meals other than those included in the itinerary, tips for beverages and drinks. Deposit/Payment/Cancellation: Ruth Ann Deppe will serve as the registrar for this trip. She will accept deposits and arrange for bank transfers to Christian Tours Europe. An initial $500 non-refundable deposit will be due upon registration. Full payment is due by March 1, Refunds for cancellations are possible. Cancellations made prior to March 1, 2016 are completely refundable. There will be no refunds for cancellations after March 1, 2016 or no show. Checks should be made payable to the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago with a notation, Lutherland Tour, and mailed to Ruth Ann Deppe, Advancement Office, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 1100 East 55 th Street, Chicago, IL

6 GENERAL INFORMATION Terms and Conditions: Any person reserving a Christian Tours Europe ( CTE ) tour accepts the condition that CTE reserves the exclusive right to change tour itineraries, hotels, and other tour components whenever it is deemed necessary, although tours are planned and hotels are booked with all possible care. Published times in our itineraries are as accurate as possible and subject to change due to traffic, weather, mechanical and any other conditions that prevent CTE from operating under normal conditions. CTE cannot accept liability in the case of any passenger being denied boarding by any airline carrier due to carrier's over-booking of a flight, nor does it accept liability in the case of a cancelled or delayed flight. It shall be the passenger's responsibility solely to provide the means to join a missed tour that is already in progress. In the event that any dispute arises in which any party has a right to assert a claim, the exclusive jurisdiction for that claim shall be in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Wittenberg, Germany. The tour is operated exclusively under German law. Responsibility: Christian Tours Europe, Wittenberg, Germany acts only as an agent for all suppliers of service offered on this tour and does so upon the express condition and agreement that it shall not be liable for any injury, loss, damage, accident, delay, irregularity, or expense arising from strikes, war, weather, quarantines, sickness, government restrictions or regulations, from any act or omission of any individual, firm or corporation furnishing transportation, sightseeing, hotel accommodations, or any service in connection with such travel plan, or from any other cause whatsoever in connection therewith. Baggage: Transportation for one full-sized suitcase per person is included. For extra luggage, an additional $30.00 per bag will be assessed. There is no charge for an additional carry-on bag, which must fit under your seat or in the overhead rack and for which you will be responsible. Although every effort is made to handle passengers' luggage as carefully as possible, Christian Tours Europe cannot be responsible, assume liability, or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear though hotel and group carrier handling. Travel requirements and insurance: For U.S. citizens, a valid passport is all that is required. Participants are responsible for all visa, health and passport regulations. Please check your medical insurance for overseas coverage. It is recommended that participants purchase trip insurance to cover health, trip cancellation, and loss of baggage. Gratuities: All necessary tips, such as maid, doorperson, and dining room tips for meals specified in the itinerary and the customary gratuity to escorts, drivers and step- on guides are included. Tips for beverages and drinks are not included; if you wish, such appreciation may be extended on a voluntary and individual basis. Physical activities: There will be physical activities for you. You should be in good health, able to climb stairs (sometimes many) without assistance, and to walk at a modest pace for more than a mile at a time. Christian Tours Europe requires all handicapped or disabled clients requiring special assistance to be accompanied by a responsible paying adult and that Christian Tours Europe must be notified, in advance, of this special required assistance.

7 RESERVATION FORM Please complete and sign below. Return to: Registrar: Ruth Ann Deppe Advancement Office Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago 1100 East 55 th Street Chicago, IL Martin Luther: Witness of the Gospel From May 30 June 8, 2016 for US $1, per person (double occupancy) Space is limited, and we encourage you to book early. Registrations will be accepted until the bus capacity has been reached. Please complete a separate registration form for each participant. Name: Age: (legal passport name, please) I prefer to be called (name): Address: City/State/Zip: Telephone: Accommodations desired: Double Twin (specify roommate) I request assistance in securing a roommate. If none is found by March 15, 2016, I will pay the single room supplement Single room throughout the tour for an additional supplement of US $ per person I am a vegetarian: Yes No I am allergic to Deposits, Acceptance and Payments: I understand the per person cost covers land transportation, double occupancy accommodation, German standards, with supplement for single occupancy, and all attractions cited in the program. The tour cost includes only the land arrangements for travel in Germany. Air service must be arranged and paid for separately. Initial deposit of US $500 per person is paid with this reservation Balance is due by March 1, 2015 I will pay by check, payable to the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and sent at my risk to Ruth Ann Deppe, Advancement Office, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 1100 East 55 th Street, Chicago, IL to be received by the listed due dates.

8 Airline Reservations: To avoid airline cancellation penalties, you may wish to purchase your airline tickets after you have been notified that the required minimum of 30 participants have registered for the program. In order to join the group hotel transfer, you should plan to arrive at Berlin (TXL) around noon on May 31 st. My anticipated flight information (if known at this time) is: Date: Departure Airport: Airline: Flight number: Arrival time: at Berlin airport (TXL) Homebound flight from Frankfurt airport (FRA): Date: Departure Time: Airline: Flight number: Cancellation: Ruth Ann Deppe will serve as the registrar for this trip. She will accept deposits and arrange for bank transfers to Christian Tours Europe. An initial $500 non-refundable deposit will be due upon registration. Full payment is due by March 1, Refunds for cancellations are possible. Cancellations made prior to March 1, 2016 are completely refundable, less the initial $500 deposit. There will be no refunds for cancellations after March 1, 2016 or no show. Checks should be made payable to the Lutheran School of Theology with a notation, Lutherland Tour, and mailed to Ruth Ann Deppe, Advancement Office, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 1100 East 55 th Street, Chicago, IL In the unlikely event, that Christian Tours Europe cancels the program, you will receive a full refund of all funds paid to Christian Tours Europe. Notice of Responsibility: Please read carefully and sign below. I have read and understand this entire document and agree to the General Information, including the Terms and Conditions therein. I understand that the tour operator for this trip is Christian Tours Europe ( CTE ). Kurt K. Hendel does not own or operate any of the firms or vendors that are expected to or will provide goods or services for this trip. Those firms include, but are not limited to: CTE; any hotels or other lodging establishments; sightseeing attractions; air, land or water transportation companies; and restaurants or other eating establishments. As a result, Kurt K. Hendel is not responsible for any death, injury of any sort, loss of property, delay or inconvenience occasioned by any negligent or willful act or omission of any such firm or vendor. In addition, Kurt K. Hendel is not responsible for any death, injury of any sort, loss of property, delay or inconvenience occasioned by force majeure or other acts of God, acts of government, acts of war, labor discord, criminal or terrorist conduct, or for any other act, action or inaction, whether negligent or otherwise, by any entity which he does not own or operate. I understand and accept that this trip is operated exclusively under German Law. I also understand and accept the conditions under which the trip will be conducted, particularly those which apply to flights, health, payments, refund policy, insurance and participant s responsibilities. The sale of this trip to you is specifically conditioned on your agreeing to these terms and conditions. Date Signature