Reform reconciliation

Brother David Migliorino was a little surprised when asked to play the role of the founder of the Lutheran Church.

In the end, the principal of Notre Dame Regional High School decided it worked.

Martin Luther was also a Roman Catholic monk at one time, and the purpose behind Migliorino playing Luther at St. Mark Lutheran Church's reformation service this Sunday honors both denominations.

The reformation service at 2 p.m. Sunday celebrates the birth of the Lutheran denominaton, which was founded in the 16th century after Martin Luther broke away from the Roman Catholic Church.

"St. Mark wants to show that there are more similarities among Christianity than difference," said Migliorino.

As Luther, Migliorino will be "interviewed" by Hans Gutenberg, innovative newspaper reporter and imagined brother of Johann Gutenberg, the inventor of the movable type printing press.

Gutenberg wil be played by Dr. Mark Langenfeld.

Lagenfeld will ask Luther questions about his personal life and his religious beliefs. The questions are not controversial, though.

Langenfeld said the service recognizes differences between the two denomination from five centuries ago, but more importantly, celebrated recent years' events that display a spirit of reconciliation regarding those differences.

Clergy from across all denominations are invited to attend in their clerical garments. The service will include hymns and special music that draw on musical traditions spanning centuries, including "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," written by Martin Luther.

"It will be a very light, wonderful get-together type service," said Dee Cannon, a member of the church who helped organize the event. "The reformation involves a lot of different churches, so we decided it should be ecumenical."

A reception will follow the service.

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128