Augustana Heritage Gathering VIII

“A Living Legacy”

Knowing our family roots is important for our self-identity. Their genes and traditions are big factors in who we are as individuals today.

The same is true for a congregation — knowing the story of the people who founded the congregation can be a source for generating identity and purpose within the present community.

Zion is one of 259 congregations in Minnesota with roots in the Augustana Synod — the Swedish Lutheran denomination that thrived from 1860-1962. Today, most of these congregations are part of the ELCA, though a few are affiliated with other Lutheran associations.

The Augustana Heritage Association’s Gathering will be held at Gustavus Adolphus College in St Peter, Minnesota, from June 21-24, 2012.

Worship is a key element of the Gathering, making use of liturgies and hymns from the old Augustana hymnal. Bishop Antje Jackelén from Lund, Sweden will preach at the festival worship service on Saturday morning. Preachers at the closing worship on Sunday morning will be Pastor Barbara Lundblad and Bishop Herbert Chilstrom.

The Gathering schedule includes five plenary sessions and three opportunities to attend your choice of 22 interest group presentations.

There are also at least two opportunities to attend individual parts of the Gathering:

Garrison Keillor on June 21

Garrison Keillor will speak at the opening session on Thursday, June 21, at 7:30pm in Christ Chapel on the Gustavus campus. This event will also be open to the public with tickets priced at $25.

Commuter Day on June 23

A special “Commuter Day” option is available on Saturday, June 23. The commuter experience begins with 11am worship in Christ Chapel using the old Augustana liturgy, followed by a buffet lunch, and then a 2pm presentation on “Augustana in American Church History” by Dr. James Bratt, professor of church history at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Cost for the Commuter Day option is $15 per person.

More information about the Gathering can be found at https://gustavus.edu/servantleadership/aha/.