Bluffton University to host exhibit and events

 From Oct. 1 through Nov. 5, Bluffton University will host the traveling exhibit “Mirror of the Martyrs” in the Albrecht Gallery of Sauder Visual Arts Center. This dramatic and colorful exhibit tells the story of religious conflict and violence in the Reformation era from the perspective of Anabaptist martyrs and offers one way to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.

Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday, 1-5 p.m. and Sunday, 1-6 p.m.

The Mirror of the Martyrs exhibit is based on illustrated martyr stories from the 1685 “Martyrs Mirror,” and features eight of the original copper plates produced by Dutch artist Jan Luyken to illustrate the book. The exhibit allows visitors to learn about Mennonite religious heritage and its application to people’s contemporary lives. The award-winning exhibit was developed and produced at the Kauffman Museum in North Newton Kansas.

Bluffton University is also planning a number of exhibit-related presentations and performances that provide opportunities to learn more about the history of the Reformation and of the Anabaptist movement that has shaped Bluffton’s spiritual heritage. Below is a preview of these events. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

More information about the exhibit and presentations can also be found at http://www.bluffton.edu/arts/mirror/

Events:

Sunday, Oct. 1

4 p.m., Ramseyer Auditorium, “I Have Not Forsaken the Word of God: Jacques d’Auchy’s Confessional Struggle,” readers theatre directed by Dr. Melissa Friesen, professor of theatre and communication, Bluffton University

Saturday, Oct. 7 

10 a.m. – noon, Sauder Visual Arts Center, Homecoming gallery reception

Sunday, Oct. 8 

4 p.m., Kreider Room, “What Suffering Martyrs Teach Us about Christian Mission: Lessons from the Passau Songs of the ‘Ausbund,’” Dr. Gerald J. Mast, professor of communication, Bluffton University

Sunday, Oct. 15 

4 p.m., Yoder Recital Hall, “Grace to You and Peace: Voices of the Martyrs,” Wendy Chappell-Dick and the Anabaptist Singers

Sunday, Oct. 18 – Sunday, November 5

2-5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday; 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Musselman Library, Special Collections Exhibit, “The Ephrata ‘Martyrs Mirror’: A History Dramatic and Useful,” curated by Carrie Phillips, archives and special collections librarian, Bluffton University

Sunday, Oct. 22 

4 p.m., Yoder Recital Hall, “Great Day of Singing,” Swiss Community Historical Society Public Hymn Sing

Monday, Oct. 23

7 p.m., Kreider Room, “Hiding in Plain Sight: Swiss Anabaptism in the Later Sixteenth Century,” Dr. C. Arnold Snyder, professor emeritus, history, Conrad Grebel University

Tuesday, Oct. 24 

11 a.m., Yoder Recital Hall, Forum, “Toleration in the Reformation: Historical Reflections for Today,” Dr. C. Arnold Snyder, professor emeritus, history, Conrad Grebel University

Sunday, Oct. 29

4 p.m., Kreider Room, “A History Dramatic and Useful: The 1748 Ephrata ‘Martyrs Mirror,’” Carrie Phillips, archives and special collections librarian, Bluffton University

Tuesday, Oct. 31 

11 a.m., Yoder Recital Hall, Spiritual Life Forum, “Bearing Witness: Mary as Our Guide,” Isaac Villegas, pastor of Chapel Hill (N.C.) Mennonite Fellowship

Friday, Nov. 3

4 p.m., Stutzman Lecture Hall, Bluffton University Faculty Colloquium Panel, “The Nonviolent Word of God: How Anabaptists Live in the Bible,” Dr. Gerald J. Mast, professor of communication; Dr. Walt Paquin, associate professor of social work; Dr. J. Denny Weaver, professor emeritus of religion; Jackie Wyse-Rhodes, assistant professor of religion

Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 2, 3 and 4, 7:30 p.m.; November 5, 2:30 p.m.,

Ramseyer Auditorium, Fall Play, “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller (tickets required), directed by Dr. Melissa Friesen, professor of theatre and communication, Bluffton University

Sunday, Nov. 5

6:30 p.m., Yoder Recital Hall, “Music of the Martyrs: A Choral Tapestry,” directed by Mark  Suderman and featuring organist Shirley Sprunger King, class of 1967, performing “Singing at the Fire,” a three movement composition by Brent Weaver featuring stories from the “Martyrs Mirror”